Statement of Rep. Bernie Sanders on President Bush's Speech on Iraq

Statement of Rep. Bernie Sanders on President Bush's Speech on Iraq
11/30/2005

Sanders said, "Clearly, the President is responding to the growing concerns of the American people as to why we went into Iraq in the first place, and what kind of exit strategy he has to bring our troops home as soon as possible. He is also responding to Iraqi political leaders who want a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Unfortunately the President's speech has not presented us with much that is new.

I certainly agree with the President that we have to improve and accelerate the training of the Iraqi military and police. But equally important, the Iraqi government must develop the political will and cohesiveness to defend their own country--and that's something that no outside force can do for them.

My own view is that we should withdraw a majority of our troops within the next six months and all, or almost all, by the end of 2006."

http://bernie.house.gov/documents/document.asp?issueNum=4690