Edwards Debate Release on Clinton & Iraq

EDWARDS CAMPAIGN STATEMENT ON CLINTON'S RESPONSE TO QUESTION ON IRAQ

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Edwards for President communications director Chris Kofinis released the following statement in response to Senator Clinton's argument for keeping combat troops in Iraq:

 “Senator Clinton tonight articulated George Bush's argument for staying in Iraq. Senator Clinton said we need to keep troops in Iraq for multiple missions, including training Iraqis and fighting al Qaeda. But we fight al-Qaeda in countries all over the world without occupying those countries. For over a year, John Edwards has provided a very specific plan to end the war in Iraq. The bottom line is Senator Clinton still refuses to provide a specific plan and still won't commit to a timeline for withdrawal. And keeping troops in Iraq to fight Iran, as the resolution Senator Clinton just voted for would do, could even expand the missions in Iraq.

“This is a real difference between Senator Edwards and Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton says she wants to end the war, but she also says she will keep combat missions in Iraq. Keeping combat missions in Iraq means she will extend the war. John Edwards will end the war.

“John Edwards' plan for Iraq is very simple: No combat troops. No combat missions. No combat, period. And not by 2013, by 2009.”