Jay began writing politically themed commentary and founded his blog, Swimming Freestyle, in October 2007. Here he'll write about politics from a progressive perspective.

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For The Record: Bush and McCain on Iraq Withdrawal

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July 8, 2:32 PM

by Jay McDonough, Progressive Politics Examiner

Yesterday, and again today, Iraqi officials demanded any agreement with the U.S. would include a specific timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq. The White House and John McCain pooh poohed the Iraqi demand, claiming it was either a misinterpretation or just politics being played out in Baghdad.

There's some value in highlighting previous comments from President Bush and Senator McCain when an Iraqi request the U.S. leave Iraq was only a hypothetical.

President Bush in April, 2007:

ROSE: But if (Prime Minister Maliki) said get out now, we don’t want you anymore–

BUSH: I don’t see how we could stay. It is his country.

ROSE: But if he said that, it would lead to the catastrophe that you have suggested.

BUSH: That’s why he’s not going to say it.

ROSE: You don’t think he’ll say it?

BUSH: I don’t. No, I don’t. (Link)

Senator McCain at the Council of Foreign Relations in 2004:

Question: "What would or should we do if, in the post-June 30th period, a so-called sovereign Iraqi government asks us to leave, even if we are unhappy about the security situation there?"

McCain's Answer: "Well, if that scenario evolves than I think it's obvious that we would have to leave because -- if it was an elected government of Iraq, and we've been asked to leave other places in the world. If it were an extremist government then I think we would have other challenges, but I don't see how we could stay when our whole emphasis and policy has been based on turning the Iraqi government over to the Iraqi people." (Link)

Topics: Bush , Cheney , Iraq Timetable

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