Posted on 12/08/2005 2:10:01 PM PST by ncountylee
New York - AP) Senator John Kerry says US needs to reduce its forces in Iraq by at least 100,000 by the end of 2006.
He says such a move will send a message to the Middle East that Americans aren't interested in maintaining a permanent military presence in that country.
In a speech before the Council on Foreign Relations, Kerry said the goal should be to have a force of 30-to-40,000 in Iraq by the end of next year.
However, he said any troop withdrawal should be linked to a timetable set by what he calls "a series of benchmarks of accomplishment."
In a speech sometimes reminiscent of his 2004 run for the White House, Kerry focused most of his criticism at the Bush administration.
Senator John Kerry ..... Hey I remember that guy! Does anyone still take that idiot seriosly? Does he still think he is going to be president someday?
Kerry's PR advisor: "Pick 100,000 as a number to use. It's sounds impressive and looks good on news reports."
pathetic
He, Dean and Pelosi are helping.
He must have gotten a look at the administration's plans for troop reduction and wanted to go public with his demands now so he could take credit for them next year. It's a dead certainty this thought isn't original with him.
It will send a message alright... It will send a message to the terrorists, just wait...
How can we terrorize Iraqi families with 100,000 fewer troops?/s
"He says such a move will send a message to the Middle East that Americans aren't interested in maintaining a permanent military presence in that country."
Why the HELL would we want to send THAT message?
Paraphrase by Effin: "Bring home that Army of Ghengis Khan by the end of next year."
This guy is a total and complete moron. We have spent TRILLIONS of dollars on weapons systems that we can use TO NOT KILL PEOPLE. Does he honestly think that if we wanted a permanent base that we could take one?
Our having 150,000 troops has nothing to do with having a permanent presence in Iraq. The troops are there to insure the benchmarks he wants are met.
What a total doofus.
I think the Dims are all eating off of lead plates
and drinking out of lead goblets, eating fish and
raw seafood loaded with mercury...They've lost all
touch with reality.
(BD shakes his head in disbelief at the inanity
of the Dims lunatic statements and proposals...)
These people are *imbeciles*.
Let me guess, he just pulled that number out his ass?
Is the most important thing sending a message to the Arab countries that we have no desire to be involved any more than we have to in Iraq?
Or would it be better to send the message that we take this issue extremely seriously, and plan on leaving as many troops in Iraq as we have to for as long as we have to to make sure the region settles down and joins the 21st century war against terrorism?
I choose 2. Of course, Kerry chooses 1, since the democrat goal isn't related to achieving tangible improvements, its all about how we get our troops out of the area.
Uh, John, we ARE interested in interested in maintaining a permanent military presence in that country. As we are in Germany and Japan and Korea.
But, but, but...Senator Ricebutt...
If we pull out 100,000, will leaving 30-40,000 be enough to continue terrorizing the Iraqi children?
Flip Flop has previously stated that we need more troops but now reduce 100,000 by end of next year. Part of the Iraq plan is to have enough troops in the area for when we go after Syria and Iran.
However, auboy says any Kerry withdrawal should be linked to a timetable set by what I call "a series of benchmarks of Kerry accomplishments."
Since Kerry has not and will not accomplish one darn positive thing, auboy calls for an immediate Kerry withdrawal from the body politic.
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