Edwards calls Bush 'stubborn' on Iraq
Edwards wants Congress to "force this president's hand" on Iraq.
WASHINGTON (CNN) - Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards called on Congress Wednesday to "be strong" and disregard President Bush's "ongoing PR offensive" to promote the war in Iraq during a conference call with the media.
"The Congress needs to force this president's hand," Edwards said. "George Bush is stubborn and he thinks he's incapable of making a mistake and he's not going to change course unless he's made to change course. He needs to be forced to change policy in Iraq."
Edwards, a former North Carolina senator, said the United States should slowly start to bring troops home to intensify pressure on the Iraqis and to force them to agree on their government. He said he isn't opposed to a three-state solution, but emphasized that the Iraqis have to decide what they want.
"The way to make it clear you're leaving is to actually start leaving," Edwards said. "In addition to that, we make it clear that we're going to continue to leave over a period of time so that they feel the heat to reach a political compromise."
–CNN Associate Producer Lauren Kornreich
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J calls Edwards "naive" on economics.
Oh, I thought we were having a state the obvious competition. I'm naturally competitive.
Obama/Edwards 08.
At least those two guys still have their common sense and are not speaking in tongues like every other politician out there.
John, it's called altruism. You wouldn't know what it means, but trust me, it's a good quality for a President.
Right on, John!
The Iraqi political establishment has never accomplished anything until we have set a deadline!
This is the right solution!
John Edwards hasn't an ounce of courage or class. Neither does Bush. But Edwards should know better than to attack a President who's not running.
No one seems to have a plan to get us out of Iraq. Well, I do. We could pull out of Iraq and find another country, or even a small part of another country (one maybe where people are starving and dying of diseases and really need help) to assist, and that country actually invites us. We assist by giving the people an environment they can live in, the medicine they need, food, shelter, or whatever. Actually try construction instead of destruction for a change – just a change to see what might happen. By doing this, we set an example, and have the opportunity to show the rest of the world what we have to offer. A better way of life that is profitable, safe and clean and benefits everyone. Once we set this example, other countries will not be so suspicious, will see the changes made and be able to make their own choice to invite us to assist them. There are a lot of countries that would welcome us for real help. How are you ever going to rebuild a country when you are so busy tearing it down? War will never work. Unless we make a change and stop using war as a way to fix our problems, we are never going to stop having wars. It is time for a change.
What say ye?
P. Cox
St. Croix, USVI
If being stubborn means standing on your principles, then I wish there were more "stubborn" people in government.
John Edwards knows...
John Edwards hasn't an ounce of courage or class. Neither does Bush. But Edwards should know better than to attack a President who's not running.
To Earl, Atlanta GA
Where have you been buddy? Everyone is attacking the President. The only thing all candidates don’t have to fight each other about is Bush, they know his approval rating sucks so why fight the waves of opinions. What makes Edwards an exception to the rule?
John Edwards, this is the head office speaking. Your 15 minutes are up. Please hand the Big Boy Pants back to your wife, and go back to chasing ambulances.
P. Cox of St. Croix,
Yours was one of the most well-written, intellegent posts I've seen on the ticker. I do agree with you, with one exception. Obviously, people are dying of starvation and dreadful diseases, but I wouldn't want my children growing up in a country where the dictator or his vile sons torture and kill people for absolutely no reason. Brides in wedding dresses who caught the eye of one of the sons were kidnapped off the street and raped in front of cameras (to be used later for the boys to relive the pleasure), and perhaps in front of the groom or wedding guests. Sometimes they were killed, sometimes not. In Middle Eastern culture, the woman was probably ruined if she wasn't killed. War anywhere is terrible but at least Iraqis are dying for freedom instead of looking at the wrong people at the wrong time.
By the way, we spent a week in St. Croix in July, and it was fantastic. We rented the Clairmont Mill for a wedding.
Peg, Brookeland, Texas,
"at least Iraqis are dying for freedom instead of looking at the wrong people at the wrong time"
Tell ya what ... try selling that crap to the Iraqis who HAVEN'T been blown to shreds yet, as nothing more than "collateral damage" to the installation of a secular, American-made, puppet government, aligned with Israel of all things, that the Iraqis never asked for, that was forced on them at gunpoint, so we can privatize their oil.
And if THEY buy it, then so will I.
Fair deal?
We were stubborn on Japan and Germany even though everyone was sure that both would be lost causes. Look how that bit of stubborness turned out. But you wouldn't know that since like most politicians you ignore our history which is why we make the mistakes we do.
James, New York, NY,
"you ignore our history which is why we make the mistakes we do."
Congratulations!
That was one of the dumbest retorts I've EVER seen on a blog.
The objective it to LEARN from history so we DON'T "make the mistakes we do".
Try again ... I'll give you a do-over on this one James.
If Hilary win tonight over Obama and Edwards it will not be about issues. Who wouldn't vote for a woman feeling hurt and crying in front of the Tv camera? I would vote for her if I were in Iowa. I wish the best of luck to all three in their campaign to win the White House.
Mohamoud