Posted on 01/17/2007 7:59:24 PM PST by calcowgirl
SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, suggested on Wednesday that the United States should withdraw its military forces from Iraq by the end of this year.
"We should set a deadline and a timeline of when we pull out," he told a annual media lunch in Sacramento.
"I think we should make it very clear to the Iraqi government that we are not going to stay there forever, that the end of this year they have to be self reliant and they have to create a military as quick as possible where they can take care of themselves."
Although the moderate Republican from the nation's most populous state has previously suggested the idea of a timeline for U.S. involvement in Iraq, he has not mentioned a date as soon as the end of 2007.
Schwarzenegger said that he supported President George W. Bush's recent plan to send an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq.
"I just hope that he makes the right decision in what he is doing by sending more troops," Schwarzenegger said. "I personally believe that we should not turn our back on Iraq and just walk away because a few mistakes were made. I think we should give it everything."
"I think we can pull out of there in a victorious way."
In Washington, senators from both political parties sought to step up pressure on the president on Wednesday by passing a nonbinding resolution opposing the troop increase.
AT ODDS WITH PARTY
Although he spoke about the Iraq war in a television interview aired on Sunday, Schwarzenegger has generally shied away from the contentious issue. Yet he has sent out hundreds of condolence messages for California military personnel killed in Iraq and the flag at the state capitol frequently flies at half mast in their honor.
Buoyed by a landslide re-election victory in November, Schwarzenegger has mapped out an ambitious legislative agenda in California that puts him at odds with many of the national party's positions. He is seeking to require all Californians to have health insurance and has championed measures to curb greenhouse gas emissions linked to global warming.
"The federal government has failed so far to address those issues," he told the Sacramento Press Club. "That's why we as a state have to fight over those things when in fact it should be the federal government that is addressing those issues."
As an Austrian-born American, Schwarzenegger cannot run for U.S. president, but he said he would travel to different states as the 2008 presidential race heats to give speeches on issues.
He said he also favored moving up the California primary to February 2008 to give the state more influence in the process. Such a change could happen only if approved by the state legislature.
He's becoming more like his uncle every day.
Schwarzenegger used his State of the State speech to destroy what little credibility he might of had. He obviously can't make rational decisions, so you can expect to see a lot more of him in the MSM (we know how they love idiots).
ROFL! There seems to be a direct correlation.
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.. especially useful and willing ones.
Yes, the people of California elect a Republican, and they get a Democrat. The Californians' exodus to Nevada and Arizona will be increasing dramatically.
YIPPIE! More evidence and "back at you a-hole" fodder for those like myself that warned AHNOLD was a STUPID choice when they kicked out Gray Davis.
Oh, the names we were called. The poo-pooing of the predictions of how he was nothing but a hidden liberal.
“I’ll be (for) Barack!
I have a suggestion, for every politician that comes out in favor of withdrawal from Iraq, ask them if they also support the 9th Circuit Court decision to reduce the sentence of Ressam, the Millenium bomber. Then we will know where they stand on the war on terror.
As an Austrian citizen Schwarzenegger should not have been allowed to run for governor of any state, let alone president. Up until 1984, he couldn't run for governor of any state because he would have forfeited his US citizenship when he reacquired his Austrian citizenship.
As a governor his opinion means nothing more or less than mine.
He's getting ready to run against Barbara Boxer. In order to win against her, he has to be seen as a lot more moderate or liberal or whatever status he's now aiming for.
Some who have been there realize this region is akin to visiting another planet. Western culture and logic do not apply.
The Arabs sit on their arrogant behinds and let the 2CN (second country nationals...those with education and other-than manual skills, AKA American infidels) do all their dangerous dirty work. They also let the 3CN (third country nationals ...those who do the hard manual labor AKA, Pakistanis, Malaysians, etc.) build their roads, buildings and infrastructure until these workers drop.
Generally speaking, Arabs won't lift a finger to do anything unless it is absolutely necessary and then it's questionable whether they'll do anything at all.
Unfortunately, as long as the 2CNs are there to fight the battles the Arabs will continue to lounge around and watch us die or, perhaps, hope we die. If we don't establish a deadline it is likely they will do nothing. Although this is contrary to the historical conduct of military operations, this new paradigm needs serious consideration.
Whether we announce a departure schedule or just leave, regional forces will do their best to do their worst. If we announce a departure schedule perhaps the Iraqis will muster the desire to control their destiny before regional forces make that impossible.
That's my input after spending time meeting with these knuckleheads; after sitting down with them and trying to establish reasonable, logical and coherent conversations. We're not talking about the silver-tongued, Harvard-educated royal family members and oil tycoons who meet US dignitaries when they arrive in the region. We're talking about the standard issue M1-A1 Arab. These folks need to get serious now.
As stated earlier; another planet.
I really doubt Arnold will run against Boxer. He likes being the center of attention.
Being one of 100 would not give him the same pedestal to reside upon.
President of Austria, on the other hand...
"I think we can pull out of there in a victorious way"...LOL
You don't "PULL OUT" in victory....you pull out in defeat!!
...Demonstrating how stupid he really is.
Who the heck asked the dumb SOB, anaways???
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