July 23, 2007
Posted: July 23rd, 2007 09:32 PM ET

(CNN) - Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards criticized the Iraqi government for taking a month-long recess during August and said it's time to make President Bush change course in Iraq.

"While the Iraqi parliament is on vacation, is George Bush going to be on vacation in Crawford, Texas?" Edwards asked. "What we need to do is turn up the heat on George Bush and hold him responsible, and make this president change course."

Iraq's parliament plans to take a month-long vacation in the month of August, though Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki is urging them to cut short or cancel those plans amid criticism from American observers. Former congressman Lee Hamilton, the co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, called those plans "outrageous" while U.S. troops are fighting to buy Iraqi leaders time to reach a political settlement of the conflict.

Bush usually vacations at his Texas home in August, and is expected to spend at least part of August there this year.

– CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich

Filed under: CNN/You Tube Debate


Roland Warren, Nashua, NH   July 25th, 2007 10:54 am ET

Obama's so-called gaffe,was not a gaffe at all. True, Hillary gave a more explicit answer, but obviously any president would be aware of the pitfalls and be sure that the meetings were preceded by adequate diplomatic preparations and safeguards.

bprosserme   July 24th, 2007 9:25 pm ET

I believe Edwards, et al, are cancerous with their hatred. How sad, how self-destructive.

Jennifer, Houston, TX   July 24th, 2007 1:20 pm ET

Real issues? What could be more real than Americans dying in a poorly managed war?

This is as real as it gets, buddy.

I really liked Edwards' passion last night, on all the different issues.

Anonymous   July 24th, 2007 7:04 am ET

Shut up Edwards and focus on real issues.

Mark Lodes, St. Louis, MO   July 24th, 2007 12:10 am ET

A great idea Mr. Edwards. Why don't you turn up the heat all the way to "TOO HOT IN THE KITCHEN" so that Bush and Cheney vacate the offices they have shamed. Call for impeachment already.

Don, Jamestown, ND.   July 23rd, 2007 9:58 pm ET

Edwards clearly has a point. Come on here, we are there dying for your country, the people who risked their lives to vote for you are dying due to your inability to make decisions.

This is what happens when you have had one man making the desicions for them for over 50 years.

If we pull out now, they will certainly be fed to the wolves.

So in a sense, I really liked Sen. Biden's take on Troop withdrawl.

Winner of the Debate: (Coming from a registered Democrat who voted Republican for the last 8 years)

Edwards
Obama
Clinton
Biden

Carlos Verney, Jr. Coral Springs, Florida   July 23rd, 2007 9:41 pm ET

President Bush should take a look at a strong leader by observing Sen. Edwards

Brie, Somerville, MA   July 23rd, 2007 9:40 pm ET

Edwards makes a great point here. There should be no vacation for anyone in Congress or the White House when American men and women are dying for their botched war.

Jessica, Bourbonnais Illinois   July 23rd, 2007 9:36 pm ET

I think Edwards responded very well. If the Iraqi parliament is going on vacation because of the heat, while our men and women are there in Iraq, defending and protecting the Iraqi people, and since the American troops are in Iraq because of the war that President Bush started, then we have to hold President Bush accountable and put pressure on him to tell the Iraqi parliament that if our, American troops can stand the heat, in order to protect the Iraqi people, then so can they, and if they don't we will pull out some of our troops until they realize that it is time to step up.

Comments have been closed for this article
Previous article:
Next article:

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP