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Posted: March 19, 2008 6:40 PM
Presidential Hopefuls Reflect on Iraq on War's Fifth Anniversary
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Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq and presidential contenders Sen. John McCain of Arizona, Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York each took a moment to reflect on the war and outline their plans for the region if they are elected president.

McCain, who made a surprise visit to Iraq earlier this week as part of a congressional fact-finding mission, visited Israel Wednesday but released a statement focusing on the progress that has been made in Iraq and reporting “America and our allies stand on the precipice of winning a major victory against radical Islamic extremism.”

“The security gains over the past year have been dramatic and undeniable,” the Republican senator said, adding “Americans should be proud that they led the way in removing a vicious, predatory dictator and opening the possibility of a free and stable Iraq.”

A strong supporter of last year’s troop surge in Iraq, McCain has backed an increased American presence in Iraq, believing adding more troops will ensure a safe and secure end to the occupation and “to provide security for rebuilding local institutions and economies; to halt sectarian violence in Baghdad and disarm Sunny and Shia militias; to dismantle al-Qaida; to train the Iraqi Army; and to embed American personnel in Iraqi polite units,” his campaign Web site states.

Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, both Clinton and Obama have proposed plans for withdrawal from Iraq, and both senators gave speeches recently on how they propose to end the war. Clinton spoke Monday at George Washington University, proposing a three-step plan involving bringing the troops home, securing stability in Iraq and implementing “a new regional diplomatic initiative” while blaming President Bush for mistakes in the country.

“The command decisions were rooted in politics and ideology, heedless of sound strategy and common sense,” she said in her speech. Clinton reiterated her plan to begin bringing troops home within 60 days of taking office and to work on rebuilding the Iraqi government with the help of international bodies such as the United Nations.

“The new U.N. Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has indicated he is willing to play a key role in assisting the Iraqis, and Hillary will ensure that the U.N. envoy in Iraq has the necessary authority by obtaining the Security Council’s explicit endorsement of a strengthened U.N. mandate to promote reconciliation,” a statement from her campaign states.

While both Democrats emphasize a swift end to the war, Clinton stresses her leadership experience as evidence she would make the more qualified commander in chief. While acknowledging their differences in experience, Obama feels that a change in leadership ideology is most important.

Speaking near Fort Bragg in North Carolina Wednesday, Obama also faulted President Bush and Congress for initiating the war in the first place, saying “War is sometimes necessary, but it has grave consequences, and the judgment to go to war can never be undone.”

The Illinois senator also proposed a swift removal of the troops. His plan would bring one or two combat brigades home each month with all of them out within 16 months. Obama also stressed the importance of Iraqi leadership’s responsibility.

“Iraqis must take responsibility for their country,” he said. “It is precisely this kind of approach — an approach that puts the onus on the Iraqis, and that relies on more than just military power — that is needed to stabilize Iraq.”