Mock

Iraq.

This will come as a HUGE surprise but many Republicans are opposed to Obama's plans to bring the troops home at the end of the year.

You?

Republicans criticize Obama over Iraq withdrawa
lBy msnbc.com's Michael O'Brien
Mitt Romney issued a scathing rebuke Friday of President Obama's decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from Iraq by year's end, joining a chorus of Republicans critical of the president's decision.

Romney sharply criticized the announcement this afternoon by Obama that all troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2011, fulfilling one of Obama's main promises from the 2008 campaign, that he would end the war in Iraq.

“President Obama’s astonishing failure to secure an orderly transition in Iraq has unnecessarily put at risk the victories that were won through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of American men and women," Romney said in a statement. "The unavoidable question is whether this decision is the result of a naked political calculation or simply sheer ineptitude in negotiations with the Iraqi government."

Romney's sentiment is in tune with what Republicans have said Friday afternoon; most GOP voices have expressed concern that the withdrawal would imperil progress made after almost nine years' worth of war in Iraq.

"I feel all we have worked for, fought for, and sacrificed for is very much in jeopardy by today’s announcement. I hope I am wrong and the President is right, but I fear this decision has set in motion events that will come back to haunt our country," said South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of the most vocal proponents of the war, in a statement.

Obama's decision Friday technically follows through on an agreement struck late during President George W. Bush's administration, which set a goal of rull withdrawal from Iraq by the end of 2011. But Republicans have generally criticized Obama for having established timetables to pull out of both Iraq and Afghanistan, arguing that Obama should be more flexible to the requests of commanders on the ground.

More:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/201...withdrawal

The Obama Administration had planned to leave 3,000 American military personnel to remain in Iraq after a phased withdrawal of combat forces at the end of the year. However, Baghdad had insisted that those troops would not have legal immunity if they remained in the country into 2012.

I wouldn't leave them there without immunity either.

(10-21-2011, 04:15 PM)Duchess Wrote: [ -> ]

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

No kidding.

Even Ron Paul criticized Obama about it. He thinks we should have snuck out.

It's just time to leave. Have we left it a better place? Is it secure? At this point, I don't think it even matters. We can't police that part of the world forever.

I'm all for leaving a naval battlegroup in the Persian Gulf permanently, and maintaining an Air Force presence in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, but I want ground troops out of there.

As soon as we can do the same in Afghanistan, I'm for it.

My only concern is for the troops who won't be reenlisted now. I have a feeling many will become unemployed. That isn't much of a reward for service...

(Yep, it's all about the Americans for me. Those other folks need to take care of themselves for a few decades now.)

(10-21-2011, 05:25 PM)Cracker Wrote: [ -> ]My only concern is for the troops who won't be reenlisted now. I have a feeling many will become unemployed.

(Yep, it's all about the Americans for me. Those other folks need to take care of themselves for a few decades now.)

Yeah, that sucks.

I have issues with Obama domestically but I've been pretty happy with his foreign policy decisions. Or maybe Hillary should get the credit there. Hasn't she said if Obama were to win a second term, she won't serve as Secretary? I think I recall that and it makes sense if she's gearing up for a 2016 run.

They should never have gone in in the first place so yes, get them out ASAP.

Obama is not the one doing it, Bush is the one who made the deal to have all troops out of Iraq by the end of 2011.

Do any of you people ever pay attention to anything? This deal was cut in 2008 signed by Bush, Sorry obama don't get to take credit for bringing our guys home.

Have said that and teaching the kindergartners of Mock, I'm glad that they are leaving and will be home even if it means no job.

I'm betting that some will be re deployed to the middle east in the near future. Yemen seems to be the next one in line with the warnings which were sent to the president there.