This is a very important campaign promise which President Obama has kept. This war and it's aftermath have been such a clusterfuck that obviously the official end could not be tidy and neat. But kudos to our president for winding this down insofar as possible.

Actually, his campaign promise was that upon taking office, "the first thing I'll do is bring our troops back from Iraq- you can take that to the bank." Not "I will follow Bush's timeline, fight to keep troops there after that anyway, and when I fail to do so take all credit for the end."

And let's not forget about the tens of thousands of "contractors" staying there.

warned Iraq's neighbors that the United States would remain a major player in the region even as it brings its troops home.

No...we won't and Obama is not "bringing the troops home" so much as Iraq is kicking the troops out. Obama wanted some to stay longer and Iraq said Get the Fuck Out!

No credit.

It really is an amazing, bold act of courage to follow the guidelines put in place before he entered office.

#1 | POSTED BY MODER8

What you talking about, Willis? Bush had this mission "Accomplished" long ago. This is just an election campaign PR stunt that Barry has been holding in his back pocket since he was elected. Although, he should have kept it in his back pocket until June 2012 in the least, specifically because of the reason you laid out.

The fact of that matter is that if McCain had won the election in '08 we would still be in Iraq up to our eyeballs. Does anyone seriously doubt that?

The fact of that matter is that if McCain had won the election in '08 we would still be in Iraq up to our eyeballs. Does anyone seriously doubt that?

#6 | Posted by moder8 at 2011-12-12 02:34 PM

I hear if McCain won Gitmo would be still be open and the economy would still suck, too.

The fact of that matter is that if McCain had won the election in '08 we would still be in Iraq up to our eyeballs. Does anyone seriously doubt that?

Posted by moder8 at 2011-12-12 02:34 PM |

Yes, me. Obama isn't "getting us out" of Iraq; Iraq is "kicking us out." They would be doing it regardless of who was President. And Obama's sneaking in of 16000 mercs is not exactly "getting us out" either.

You can cheer for the Shell Game, but I want to see the peanut first.

The proverbial peanut is that American military casualties have plunged to almost zero in the past year. The proverbial peanut is that troops are coming home from Iraq on an almost daily basis. Everything else is just spin and window dressing. Kudos to President Obama.

16000 mercenaries are just "spin and window dressing." lmao

What is really funny is, when Iraq turns to shit next year or the year after, Obamaoids will say "Obama was only following Bush's plan and Iraq kicked us out so it isn't Obama's fault at all. He had nothing to do with our troops being removed."

We ARE still there, Moder8:

16000 mercenaries who are not US military forces are irrelevant. President Obama has accomplished something very difficult, your snarkiness notwithstanding. Deal with it.

16000 mercenaries who are not US military forces are irrelevant.

#13 | Posted by moder8 at 2011-12-12 02:43 PM

President Obama has accomplished something very difficult

It wasn't difficult for him to get you to ignore reality and facts...he just had to run as a Democrat.

"The fact of that matter is that if McCain had won the election in '08 we would still be in Iraq up to our eyeballs. Does anyone seriously doubt that?"

Only those stupid enough to think it means a hill of beans today. Obama is getting his naive 2007 wish, which is to cut and run and leave them on their own. Fuck those who know much more than the Benedict in chief, and his cowardly exit as an apology...

My GOD, the lengths you'll go to to defend this president. Following Bush's timeline, and getting KICKED OUT by the Iraqi government is not "something very difficult." What is difficult is comprehending your mindset.

K: You are underestimating the gigantic challenges President Obama faced in pulling off this drawdown. I realize that at this point nothing I point out will convince you. Suffice to say, effectively ending the US war in Iraq required a Herculean effort.

Obama is getting his naive 2007 wish, which is to cut and run and leave them on their own.

Crispee is an uninformed as Moder8. Both think Obama is pulling us out of Iraq instead of the reality of Obama wanted to keep us there longer and Iraq saying no.

You are underestimating the gigantic challenges President Obama faced in pulling off this drawdown.

No, I'm not.

FACT- He wanted us there past 2011.
FACT- Iraq refused to extend immunity to our troops past Bush's deadline.

There is no gray area about it. This is not a "draw down," this is a "kick out."

Both think Obama is pulling us out of Iraq instead of the reality of Obama wanted to keep us there longer and Iraq saying no.

#19 | Posted by kanrei

Exactly right. The problem I have is a President who now wants take credit for something he failed at. Typical Obama.

And you can try to complicate the issue all you want, but the fact of the matter is that Obama is "Commander and Chief"- he gives the word at breakfast, it's done by lunchtime. He wanted us to stay there, and stay there we are with mercenaries rather than soldiers.

The truly Herculean effort is doing what you promised, regardless of the criticism. He failed on that count.

The truly Herculean effort is doing what you promised

It was a Herculean effort- Hercules was a myth too.

"FACT- Iraq refused to extend immunity to our troops past Bush's deadline."

And you really think there was absolutely no way he could have convinced them to extend it if he really wanted to???

The lengths to which the Obamahaters will go to deprive him of any credit for anything are quite laughable. It gets to the point that they are just jokes.

And you really think there was absolutely no way he could have convinced them to extend it if he really wanted to???

He tried and failed, just like with everything else- he caves. I love how NOTHING is ever his fault with you, yet you label anyone critical of him as an Obamahater. Even most people living in a black and white world see shades of gray; Danni lives with her eyes closed and curses the darkness.

Alright, say Iraq let us stay. Obama would have us stay. Campaign promise broken, no end to the war.

So no, he doesn't deserve credit for ending it.

Kanrei: You say I am wrong. I have no doubt but that you are wrong. Whatever.

"He tried and failed, just like with everything else- he caves."

He didn't fail, he is pulling the troops out as planned. STaying would be failure.

You say I am wrong. I have no doubt but that you are wrong.

I'm glad your only doubt is that I am wrong. Shows you are learning. I also doubt I am wrong.

You know who is failing???....the Obama haters.
You sound pathetically partisan in your desire for the president to fail just to justify your hatred of him.

he is pulling the troops out as planned.

But he isn't. The plan was to leave 20,000 behind. Do you even research anything or do you think knowledge is based on what makes you feel good?

I think we can all agree that what matters most is that once again the unbridled President Obama haters have been forced out into the open.

Danni lives with her eyes closed and curses the darkness.

#25 | Posted by kanrei at 2011-12-12 03:02 PM

You sound pathetically partisan in your desire for the president to fail just to justify your hatred of him.

#30 | Posted by danni at 2011-12-12 03:05 PM

(hilarious)

"But he isn't. The plan was to leave 20,000 behind."

Yeah I read it, this wasn't exactly news. It was announced months ago that they would be remaining to man the embassy and train the Iraqis but the real truth is that the vast majority of troops is leaving Iraq.
If one looks hard enough they can always find a negative and pretend it outweighs a much larger positive if they want to badly enough.

Crispee is an uninformed as Moder8. Both think Obama is pulling us out of Iraq instead of the reality of Obama wanted to keep us there longer and Iraq saying no.

#19 | Posted by kanrei at 2011-12-12 02:50 PM |

Errr. I hate to break this to you champ, but YOU and moder8 share the same stain when it comes to Obama. Including being dumb enough to vote for the least experienced, and least qualified candidate in the last 100 years.

That said, do your own homework before calling me misinformed about anything. Obama as a Senator wrote his signature legislation removing all troops immediately in 2007, and of course was laughed off the Senate floor by never getting out of committee...

Senator Obama introduced the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007.

"Yeah, take that Kanrei you partisan Republican who didn't vote Obama in 2008."

That was pre-extension of the Bush tax cuts. Everything changed then.

I think we can all agree that what matters most is that once again the unbridled President Obama haters have been forced out into the open.
#32 | Posted by moder8

I see. One can't merely disagree with Obama. One must hate him to disagree with him. By that reason, you must be full of hate for anybody who disagrees with you.

Seriously, Danni- if Obama wanted to end the war, why would he have fought to keep us there? Why keep tens of thousands of private mercenaries? Why move them next door to Kuwait instead of bring them home?

All I want is him to acknowledge that he's following Bush's timeline. That's it.

That was pre-extension of the Bush tax cuts. Everything changed then.

Posted by danni at 2011-12-12 03:11 PM |

Not in the slightest, but have already shown yourself unable to understand anything deeper than "Republican bad." Most people here know my positions quite well. Just keep writing me off as a "partisan fence sitting troll." I write you off as an uninformed reflexive dolt who represents the worst aspects of the American voter.

Including being dumb enough to vote for the least experienced, and least qualified candidate in the last 100 years.

oh yeah...just think...they could have voted for the experienced team of McCain/Palin. Wouldn't that have been a hoot?

Wouldn't that have been a hoot?

#41 | Posted by donnerboy

Yeah, a $784B dollar still in the Goverments pocket hoot.

"I write you off as an uninformed reflexive dolt who represents the worst aspects of the American voter."

In other words I disagree with you and won't play the game of Republicans are the same as Democrats. I remember who took us into Iraq in the first place, do you? Who stood up in the Illinois Legislature and spoke eloquently against it? Then later, after being elected President, had to preside over finishing the job and pulling our troops out which he has done extremely well though you continually try to pretend otherwise.

In other words I disagree with you and won't play the game of Republicans are the same as Democrats.

ROFLMAO! Look at who is trying the "I don't agree with you so" game now. She who attacks anyone who dares question Obama. You are too much Danni. You are either a total moron or the best parody of a Bushling I have ever seen in my life.

That was pre-extension of the Bush tax cuts. Everything changed then.

#37 | Posted by danni at 2011-12-12 03:11 PM

This is a very important campaign promise which President Obama has kept. This war and it's aftermath have been such a clusterfuck that obviously the official end could not be tidy and neat. But kudos to our president for winding this down insofar as possible.
#1 | Posted by moder8

Since they don't count as troops, I'll lay odds that the Pentagon hired mercenaries to keep a heavy American presence there.

"Who stood up in the Illinois Legislature and spoke eloquently against it?"

ROTFLMAO!!!!

In place of the military, the State Department will assume a new role of unprecedented scale, overseeing a massive diplomatic mission through a network of fortified, self-sufficient installations. After the troops have left, the U.S. presence in Iraqâ€"which peaked at 170,000â€"will number between 15,000 and 16,000, including federal employees and private contractors.

The State Department will hire more than 5,000 private security contractors for armed details and has contracted with a private service to ferry U.S. personnel in helicopters and planes.

The U.S.'s reliance on private security contractors troubles many in Washington, particularly since a 2007 incident in which guards working under a State Department contract opened fire in a crowded Baghdad traffic circle, leaving 17 Iraqis dead.

"The long history of the lack of transparency and accountability and the legal limbo in which these contractors operate mean that it could be a formula for problems," said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D., Ill.), a longtime critic of the U.S. government's reliance on contractors overseas.

"
"Who stood up in the Illinois Legislature and spoke eloquently against it?"

ROTFLMAO!!!!"

He's now President of the United States Crispee, so I'd say it was a pretty important speech. At least he was on record opposing that idiotic invasion. You??? not so much.

"The top brass had wanted to keep a force of quick-reaction commandos, trainers and aviators in Iraq past the 2011 deadline set in 2008 by Mr. Bush in what is called a status-of-forces agreement. Washington always viewed the date as flexible if Baghdad requested a longer presence."

The top brass wanted to stay in Vietnam too. They always want to stay, want more troops, more equipment, more tax dollars. We can't afford to stay in Iraq any longer, we couldn't afford to go there in the first place.

"He's now President of the United States Crispee, so I'd say it was a pretty important speech. At least he was on record opposing that idiotic invasion. You??? not so much."

Please, tell us all were you were when you heard that earth shattering stance by a state senator from Illinois, YOU never heard of from your home in Florida....

The top brass wanted to stay in Vietnam too. They always want to stay, want more troops, more equipment, more tax dollars. We can't afford to stay in Iraq any longer, we couldn't afford to go there in the first place.

#51 | Posted by danni at 2011-12-12 04:03 PM | Flag: Just luffs keeping us in Afghanistan though

"Just luffs keeping us in Afghanistan though"

Not me anymore, it's time for all the troops to come home. Obama said he's planning to move up the date for troops in Afghanistan to come home. I am the first person to admit my support for the Afghan invasion was wrong.

"Please, tell us all were you were when you heard that earth shattering stance by a state senator from Illinois, YOU never heard of from your home in Florida...."

Since I was involved in anti-Iraq war protests at the time I heard about it when he said it, it made national news all over the country.

"Since I was involved in anti-Iraq war protests at the time I heard about it when he said it, it made national news all over the country."

National news? ROTFLMAO...

Bush created the timeline for withdrawal.

Obama wanted to keep our troops there beyond Bush's timeline, but Iraq wouldn't give our troops immunity from prosecution for things like storming into random houses and murdering people.

So Obama stayed on Bush's timeline instead.

Anyone who considers that a "Herculean triumph" is so fucking unbelievably stupid that there is no point in even attempting to address them.

Like Joe said. We aren't leaving voluntarily, we are being kicked out. There actually is a difference.

Just means more troops for the next illegal war which should start any day now. Perhaps in Russia?

"Like Joe said. We aren't leaving voluntarily, we are being kicked out. There actually is a difference."

If that is all it took, I guarantee we wouldn't be in Germany, Japan, Sout Korea... Obama had no desire to negotiate anything, and has a built in excuse to gtfo. Any other CiC wouldn't throw away 8 years and would still be at the table.

The laughable part about it, is if Iran or anyone attacks, we are back front and center. Why people are still stupid enough to accept the coward in chiefs surrender like 2007 is a mystery. Simply read what those on the ground think and why they feel the mission is not complete. Not some inexperienced bunch of tools who never wore the uniform or studied and fought modern warfare....

Kicked out? That is laughable. Were we 'invited in'? Of course not. When it comes to Iraq and our military decisions, we do what we want, when we want, on a timetable most expedient to Washington DC, regardless of outside perception and whether it is a Dem or a Republican in the White House.

Yeah, a $784B dollar still in the Goverments pocket hoot.

#43 | Posted by wisgod

Not likely but it is interesting that $748B is just about exactly what it would cost to attack Iran.

All arguments aside, at least we can all savor the fact that now we have a hundred thousands troops that can invade Iran, right? Or Libya. Or Somalia. Or Pakistan. Or Yemen. Or Central Africa. Or hell- just thrown them in Afghanistan and keep that clusterf*@k going for another decade!

Why else would Obama send them to Kuwait instead of bring them back here and decommission them? (Besides the fact that that would put unemployment back up to 9+%)

Nobody really believes that the American military has actually pulled out of Iraq. Many Arabss do not want the American military to leave just yet. The regional security concerns about Iran extend beyond Israel.

Why else would Obama send them to Kuwait instead of bring them back here and decommission them? (Besides the fact that that would put unemployment back up to 9+%)

#62 | Posted by adammm

Who could have guessed, back in he heady days of 2003, that the GOP would turn into such a gaggle of peaceniks?

Hell, man. I can remember a time, not that long ago, when what you just said would have gotten you death threats from your own people.

Of course, you would necessarily have to have said them about Bush.

Zed, Republican doesn't automatically equate to Bush supporter. Up until Reagan, republicans were the ones opposing foreign intervention and war- Look at the last century. I spent two weeks of high school in detention for organizing walkouts protesting this war. You shouldn't be so quick to assume that party affiliation equates to such stereotypes. In fact, the Democrats bombing other countries has been the only stereotype that hasn't changed in the past hundred years.

Is it really possible to be as stupid as moderate and Danni?

Is there a lib out there willing to tell Danni and moderate how embarrassingly stupid they are?

The US is never going to completely leave Iraq or Afghanistan--ever.

"That is why today, I'm introducing the Iraq War De-escalation Act of 2007. This plan would not only place a cap on the number of troops in Iraq and stop the escalation, it would begin a phased redeployment of U.S. forces with the goal of removing of all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by March 31st, 2008, consistent with the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group that the President ignored.

-- Barack Obama, Jan 30 2007, in response to the announcement of the Surge

Not me anymore, it's time for all the troops to come home. Obama said he's planning to move up the date for troops in Afghanistan to come home. I am the first person to admit my support for the Afghan invasion was wrong.

#54 | Posted by danni at 2011-12-12 04:26 PM

Not me anymore --- Obama said

LOL!

good for him....of course it was going to end anyway but he takes credit for it AND he and dems will use the money that would have gone there to help bring down deficit..

YEAH,....and there is a santa claus and easter bunny, tooth fairy, and my dick is as big as john holmes

OH wait...it IS!!!!

God Bless President Obama!!

Four more years to drive the so-called right further into the nuthouse where they belong.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

This is a joke of a campaign issue when he has put more of our soldiers into harms way in other theaters, for the sake of the Muslim Brotherhood Spring.

This is a joke of a campaign issue when he has put more of our soldiers into harms way in other theaters, for the sake of the Muslim Brotherhood Spring.

#74 | Posted by patriotwoman23

yeah it was pretty dangerous duty cruising out there in the Mediterranean. I would bet $10,000 that more American troops are killed in peacetime by getting lazy than what died in "Harms Way" during the Libyan conflict.

You ain't no Patriot and yer probably not a woman but you might be a 23 year old dumbass.

Obama truly is the ultimate rear end motherfucker rushing to the awards stand long after the battle had been won. My guess is very few people will be fooled by his weak character twice. Taking credit for something that he opposed? Only a politician could have such shamelessness. Only those that can't see past the government check that Obama is holding in front of their faces will be blinded by this pr stunt.

Excellent post. These idiots are so full of crap that it is mind blowing.

Well, downer baby, that is one of the dumbest posts I have seen in a long time. MOTHER says that your pop tarts are ready and you had better stop wearing her panties!

Taking credit for something that he opposed? Only a politician could have such shamelessness. Only those that can't see past the government check that Obama is holding in front of their faces will be blinded by this pr stunt.

#76 | Posted by Dirk

After 3 years, I think most people have his number. Of course Donnerboy has trouble counting to zero.

The "war" ended years ago. It's the security forces who are being kicked out. Spin baby spin.

The "war" ended years ago. It's the security forces who are being kicked out. Spin baby spin.
#80 | Posted by KBM

Here's another term you can add to your limited glossary of euphemisms: "police action."

I've sometimes wondered whether you're really as obtuse as your posts make you appear to be, and I've finally concluded that since there's never been even a hint of wit in them the answer is, unquestionably, "yes."

Seriously, Danni- if Obama wanted to end the war, why would he have fought to keep us there?

Another Righttard myth busted.

According to Biden, there was no way that they would have ever left 20,000 troops in country after December 31, 2011 even if Iraq asked them to.

Well, downer baby, that is one of the dumbest posts I have seen in a long time. MOTHER says that your pop tarts are ready and you had better stop wearing her panties!

#78 | Posted by patriotwoman23

so I guess that means you are not even 23 either.

Obama truly is the ultimate rear end motherfucker rushing to the awards stand long after the battle had been won.

I really hope we have some of those Mission Accomplished banners still lying around.

And I don't think Obama is taking credit for the Iraq War and he definitely has never been opposed to the withdrawal.

Too bad you mindless fucks will never give him credit for anything. He could have made it worse. Instead he kept his promise (no matter what the reason). You could at least give him credit for that.

Obama.... I was against nation building before I was for it.

Instead he kept his promise (no matter what the reason)

no, he didn't, mindless obamamama

So, the surge did not work, but giving up does? Blood will start flowing again in the streets in Iraq soon, and another country will fall to the Muslim Brotherhood thanks to 0.

As he sows his seeds of destruction throughout the Middle East, more blood will be shed and war will break out. Our soldiers will be back in. This man did nothing but cut and run. He is a sham and a failure.

no, he didn't, mindless obamamama

www.nytimes.com

#86 | Posted by goatman

ummm yes he did

from your link

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. â€" President Obama declared the beginning of the end of one of the longest and most divisive wars in American history on Friday as he announced that he would withdraw combat forces from Iraq by August 2010 and all remaining troops by December 2011.

And he did.

Not sure what promise you are referring to but I am speaking of his promise to get all of our combat troops out of Iraq in a "responsible manner".

Since entering the White House in January 2009, Mr Obama has steadily moved to fulfill his campaign promise to end the U.S. military mission in Iraq in what he and his aides insist is a "responsible" manner.

admittedly he did not get them out by May 2010 as he thought he might.

and yes he also didn't close GITMO as he thought he might.

But he does deserve credit for bringing this particular Bush Error to an end.

October 2002 â€" Obama, then a state senator from Illinois, delivers a speech in Chicago against the Iraq war. "I don't oppose all wars. What I am opposed to is a dumb war," he says.

My bad. Wrong link, dummerboy.