Clinton vows to begin troop withdrawal in 1st 60 days of presidency
DES MOINES — Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton told an Iowa audience Tuesday that “there is no military solution to the crisis in Iraq” and vowed to begin troop withdrawals within the first 60 days of her presidency.
“It’s time to begin ending this war,” she said, inspiring wild applause from the audience in a Des Moines ballroom. “Not next year, not next month, but today.”
The 35-minute speech, which her campaign described as a major policy address, began with talk of military withdrawal, and then got into details about diplomacy, refugee aid and a long-term plan for Iraq’s stability.
Clinton, a New York senator, gave the speech the same week that her fellow Senate Democrats are sharpening talk about the need to end the war. The push to end the war has new energy because of eroding support from Senate Republicans.
Clinton’s anti-war message continues a transition that has drawn fire from other Democratic presidential hopefuls. Her rivals, such as former senator John Edwards, say she has been slow to support troop withdrawal and indecisive about the war in general.
The speech Tuesday left little doubt about where she stands. She said the war has deteriorated to the point that the original goals have been lost.
“The mission today is more about policing a civil war than building a democracy,” she said.
Former governor Tom Vilsack, one of Clinton’s top Iowa supporters, introduced her to the audience of about 350.
“Our country is certainly ready for change, and our country is ready to end the war now,” he said.
Clinton spoke at the same time and in the same city as one of her top opponents, Illinois Sen. Barack Obama. Obama said in a town hall meeting that the war’s financial cost has reduced the government’s ability to deal with problems closer to home.
Clinton made a similar argument in her speech. She said cost of the war, if spent on other priorities, is enough to give health insurance to the uninsured, provide pre-kindergarten to all 4-year-olds and increase federal support for college aid.
The Clinton plan for Iraq
-- Begin a phased withdrawal of American troops within 60 days of taking office.
-- Review veterans’ benefits to make sure returning military personnel get enough help with the transition home.
-- If the Iraqi government fails to effectively manage U.S. aid, money will be redirected to provincial governments and non-governmental organizations.
-- The United Nations will be asked to take a greater role in brokering peace among the parties in Iraq.
-- New attempts will be made to engage Syria and Iran in talks about regional stability. Also, there will be a renewed focus on easing tensions between Turkey and Iraqi Kurds.
-- As U.S. forces leave Iraq, an international coalition will be gathered to address the needs of Iraqi refugees.
-- Military resources will be shifted to focus on al Qaeda and other terrorist groups.
Dan Gearino can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or dan.gearino@lee.net.