The bottom line is simple—no combat troops; no combat missions; no combat, period. Not sometime to be determined, not by 2013. By the end of my first year as president, by the end of 2009.

 I believe every candidate for president owes the American people a clear and specific plan for ending the Iraq War, and I have done my part. You deserve to know exactly where we stand. With less than 60 days to the caucus, Senator Clinton has still not given specific answers to specific questions. How many troops will she withdraw, and when will she withdraw them? All she’s said is that she will meet with her generals within two months of taking office. That’s not a plan. That’s not even a real promise. It’s the promise of a planning meeting. 

What’s more, Senator Clinton wants to keep combat troops in Iraq to perform combat missions in Iraq. She will extend the war. I will end the war. Only in Washington would anybody believe that you can end the war and continue combat. On a matter as serious as Iraq, we need honesty and real answers—not more double-talk. 

And all of this is occurring in a very dangerous context—when we badly need leadership that will stand up to the president. The neocons are once again preparing for war. Defense Secretary Robert Gates recently told reporters that the administration has prepared “contingency plans” for attacks. George Bush has been rolling out reckless rhetoric, saying that “World War III” is just around the corner with Iran. And just over a week ago, Bush and Cheney declared the Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization and a proliferator of weapons of mass destruction.

Senator Clinton is voting like a hawk in Washington, while talking like a dove in Iowa and New Hampshire. One of her advisors told the New York Times that was because she was shifting from primary mode to general election mode. Well, we only need one mode from our president—tell the truth mode all the time.

 

Learning the Lesson of Iraq: A New Strategy for Iran 

First and foremost, end the preventive war doctrine.

 Second, use tougher and more targeted economic sanctions to force Iran's leaders to understand that they cannot continue to buck the will of the international community without destroying their ability to be a modern, advanced nation.   

Third, use incentives to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and re-join the world community.

 Fourth, reengage with Iran using a new multi-level diplomatic approach. 

Fifth, reengage with other major nations like Russia and China on the challenges facing Iran.

 

Edwards Statement On Recent Developments In Pakistan 

The recent developments in Pakistan are extremely worrisome. Pakistan is a state with nuclear weapons and terrorist safe havens in its northwest tribal regions. Stability in Pakistan is of utmost importance to the United States and the world. General Musharraf's declaration of emergency rule and his arrest of hundreds of political opponents will destabilize the situation, and I strongly oppose these acts. These developments also provide another reason the U.S. should not launch a 'preventive war' in Iran. At this critical moment, we cannot afford to be bogged down in Iran, especially when Pakistan, as opposed to Iran, already has nuclear weapons.

 “America should be using our direct aid as well as our diplomatic arsenal as diplomatic sticks to defuse the situation in Pakistan and to restore stability and constitutionalism to Pakistan. Musharraf needs to be bringing democratic reformers into the government, not shutting them down. He needs to be extending the reach of the legitimate government to the tribal regions, not backing down to al Qaeda and the Taliban. He needs to support judicial review and the separation of powers, not fight these important constitutional institutions. And he needs to be doing everything in his power to shut down terrorist acts like the recent assassination attempt on Benazir Bhutto — not retreating from them.”

 From an Edwards for President Email Today: To honor and recognize the tens of thousands of people who are the driving force behind this campaign, today we're launching a special project on our Web site. It's called the “Heroes of One America” project, and, when it is completed on December 31, it will be a mosaic of thousands of photos and images. Combined, these make up one complete picture. 

CLICK HERE TO ADD YOUR PHOTO 

 Edwards Statement In Support Of Striking Writers Guild Members       

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement in support of the striking Writers Guild members:  “The striking Writers Guild members are fighting an important battle to protect their creative rights.

These writers deserve to be compensated fairly for their work, and I commend their courage in standing up to big media conglomerates. As someone who has walked picket lines with workers all across America and as a strong believer in collective bargaining, I hope that both sides are able to quickly reach a just settlement.”