April 11, 2008 – A look at where Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and the Democratic rivals, Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama, stand on the Iraq war:
Clinton: Voted for war, opposed troop increase. Would begin withdrawal within two months of taking office but has not committed to a timetable for completing it without knowing situation on the ground in 2009.
McCain: Opposes scheduling a troop withdrawal, saying latest strategy is succeeding. Supported decision to go to war, but was early critic of the manner in which administration prosecuted it. Key backer of the troop increase. Willing to have permanent U.S. peacekeeping forces in Iraq.
Obama: Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Now says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops by end of 2009, four months sooner than his previous commitment. Before that, had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he’d face in office.
