[redgirlinabluestate]

Romney was talking about the kind of timetables instituted by Pres Bush -— timetables for certain benchmarks/milestones to be met by the Iraqi govt by certain dates, NOT a timetable for a withdrawal a la the dems! In fact, Romney specifically stated he would veto the kind of timetable for withdrawal the democrats were seeking.

In May 2006, Governor Romney Traveled To Iraq To Meet With The Troops. “Traveling under tight security, Governor Mitt Romney yesterday wrapped up an unannounced, one-day trip to Iraq to visit troops from Massachusetts, and warned against a ‘cut and run’ pullout from the war-torn country.” (Frank Phillips, “Romney Makes Surprise Stop In Baghdad,” The Boston Globe, 5/25/2006) http://www.freerepublic.com/~unmarkedpackage/#wot

It seems McCain and his supporters can't tell the difference between a timetable for withdrawal and timetables for milestones and objectives to be met, just like the liberal author of this article about the Bush timetable:

Bush Drafting Iraq Timetable

James Joyner | Sunday, October 22, 2006

After two years of villifying anyone who suggested a timetable was needed in Iraq, the Bush administration is reportedly now drafting a timetable for Iraq.

The Bush administration is drafting a timetable for the Iraqi government to address sectarian divisions and assume a larger role in securing the country, senior American officials said. Details of the blueprint, which is to be presented to Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki before the end of the year and would be carried out over the next year and beyond, are still being devised. But the officials said that for the first time Iraq was likely to be asked to agree to a schedule of specific milestones, like disarming sectarian militias, and to a broad set of other political, economic and military benchmarks intended to stabilize the country. Although the plan would not threaten Mr. Maliki with a withdrawal of American troops.....http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2006/10/bush_drafting_iraq_timetable_/

[JRochelle]

Here is what Romney said.

Well, there's no question but that the president and Prime Minister Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about. But those shouldn't be for public pronouncement. You don't want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you're going to be gone."(ABC's "Good Morning America," 4/3/07)