Barack Obama

Election 2008: The Issues

Find out where the Presidential candidates stand on the economy, Iraq, the mortgage crisis and more.

John McCain
Iraq
John McCain:
Voted in favor of 2003 U.S. invasion, although he became one of the Bush administration's strongest critics of the military strategies employed there. Pushed for the "surge" and other tactical changes recommended by Gen. David Petraeus long before President Bush authorized them. Is opposed to any timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops, saying the American military should remain until Iraqi forces can defend the country on their own.
Barack Obama:
As state senator in 2002, he spoke against the impending Iraq invasion, saying he wasn't against all wars, but was opposed to "a dumb war, a rash war, a war based not on reason but on passion…" As a U.S. Senator, he opposed the troop surge; and as a presidential candidate, advocated a 16-month timetable for withdrawing U.S. troops. Has hedged this plan by saying he'd react to events on the ground and listen to military commanders in Iraq.
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