Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) is but one of several Democrats considering a run for the White House in 2008. Recent poll numbers suggest his numbers rival those of presumptive frontrunner Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), especially among Democratic voters angry at Clinton for her support of Bush’s Iraq war.
Obama understands this and has taken a stand, calling for a “gradual and substantial” reduction of U.S. forces in Iraq, starting in four to six months.
Speaking to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Obama envisioned a flexible timetable for withdrawal linked to conditions on the ground in Iraq and based on the advice of U.S. commanders.
“I believe that it remains possible to salvage an acceptable outcome to this long and misguided war,” he said. “But I have to be honest today, it will not be easy. For the fact is that there are no good options left in this war.”
Obama did not call for a specific timetable for withdrawal of troops or suggest troop levels.
“We cannot compromise on the safety of our troops, and we should be willing to adjust to realities on the ground,” he said.
Most importantly, Obama rejected Sen. John McCain’s wildeyed call for a troop increase in Iraq.
“We would only be putting more of our soldiers in the crossfire of a civil war.”