It doesn't matter if Hillary was first or if Obama was first...

[kentuck]

...to state that we should withdraw our troops. What's important is the message. Democrats should embrace the message.

Mr. Bush has requested another $200 billion for the war in Iraq. In reality, it is $200 billion for his legacy and the survival of the Republican Party. The Congress must not appropriate these funds under any conditions.

Why is it important to say that if the Democrats win the White House in 2009, the troops will immediately begin to withdraw? Why is it important to not give Bush another $200 billion for this futile and dangerous pre-emptive war?

Because, by saying the Democrats will withdraw the troops, they are creating a mandate "before" the election. If Hillary or Obama or Edwards or whomever wins the White House, they will have the support of the people for their agenda "after" the election. They can legitimately claim a "mandate" to withdraw our troops.

Also, by saying that we will withdraw the troops once a Democrat is in the White House, is in effect, tossing the Bush Doctrine of "pre-emptive war" into the trash heap of history. He deserves no credibility and no propping up of his legacy. He deserves nothing but shame and disgrace.

Realistically, the Democrats in Congress do not have the leadership or the political will power to do anything about the war from their present political position. They will not cut off the funds. The only strategy they have at the moment is to stonewall additional funding and wait for a new President in 2009. It is unfortunate, but that is the reality.

Why is the message about "withdrawing our troops" so important? Because it draws a line in the sand. It says to the Republicans that have been supporting this President and this war, that they no longer can sit on the fence. They can either support the status quo or they can support withdrawing our troops. They can and will argue about the numbers that can be safely withdrawn, but the subject is still about "withdrawing our troops". That is the winning position not only politically, but also, morally.

Starting in 2009, Mr Bush's war will begin to end. Our troops will immediately begin to withdraw and we can begin to restore our credibility with our allies around the world. We can take the $100 billion per year spent on the war and save it or spend it on something more worthy? Democrats, as well as most Americans, know that this war was a tragic mistake and that further funding is basically throwing money down the rathole.

Withdrawing our troops will not deprive Bush of a deserving legacy. He deserves no legacy. Ignorance will surely kill us all. It is time to put the Bush Administration behind us and start looking for a new way forward. Withdrawing our troops will accomplish both missions.

[Forkboy]

1. The supporters need bragging rights and something to slam the other with though.

:)

[sandnsea]

2. Feingold, Kerry, et al were first

It goes to credibility and what you believe a person will really do in office. If the only reason Hillary is supporting withdrawal is because she has to in order to win the primary, then that most certainly matters. How is it she took so long to finally come around to a withdrawal policy. It matters. Especially when she says she will leave troops in Iraq but won't give any indication as to how many. I don't understand why anybody is trusting 'stay the course' girl at all. She isn't going to end the war.

[daninthemoon]

3. They should be pushing hard all day every day to end this war asap.

Nothing is more important, and every delay costs lives. Campaigning should take second seat, except as a podium to speak out. They need to be working in the Senate NOW to end the war, AND prevent war with Iran.

[kentuck]

4. Not endorsing Hillary but..

endorsing the wisdom of supporting a "withdrawal" policy now, rather than waiting until after the election. If the people still vote for a Democrat after they say they will withdraw the troops, it deflates any future arguments of the Republicans to keep the troops in Iraq even longer. It is an message that should be endorsed by every Democratic candidate, in my opinion.