Senator Clinton gave a speech on St Patrick's Day and in it she gave some thoughts on how she would handle Iraq. On that same day a poll on the attitudes of Iraqi's, commissioned by the BBC and ABC news, was released Let's compare and contrast the two along with other commentary and news items. Let's do a Point/Counterpoint.
Point
Hillary's Remarks at The George Washingon University, 17 Match 2008
Fortunately, ten months from now we will have a new president, and a new opportunity to change course in Iraq. Therefore, the critical question is how can we end this war responsibly and restore America’s leadership in the world? It won't be easy. There is no magic wand to wave. Bringing our troops home safely will take a president who is ready to be Commander-in-Chief on day one, a president who knows our military and has earned their respect. Bringing lasting stability to the region will take a president with the strength and determination, the knowledge and confidence to bring our troops home; to rebuild our military readiness, to care for our veterans, and to redouble our efforts against al-Qaeda. If you give me the chance, I will be that president.
Counterpoint
From the ABC/BBC poll of Iraqis
Well under half, 38 percent, say the United States should leave now, down from a peak 47 percent in August. One reason is that Iraqis are divided on what might follow U.S. withdrawal; 46 percent think it would make security better, but the rest say it would make security worse or leave it as it is now. Those who think immediate withdrawal would improve security are twice as likely to support it.
Point
Senator Clinton
I will start by facing the conditions on the ground in Iraq as they are, not as we hope or wish them to be. President Bush points to the reduction in violence in Iraq last year and claims the surge is working. Now, I applaud any decrease in violence. That is always good news. But the point of the surge was to give the Iraqis the time and space for political reconciliation. Yet today, the Iraqi government has failed to provide basic services for its citizens. They have yet to pass legislation ensuring the equitable distribution of oil revenues, yet even to pass a law setting the date of provincial elections.
Counterpoint
Iraq's presidential council withdrew its objection to a provincial elections law on Wednesday, giving a major boost to U.S.-backed efforts to promote national reconciliation on the fifth anniversary of the war.
The move came two days after Vice President Dick Cheney visited Baghdad to press Iraqi leaders to overcome their differences and take advantage of a lull in violence to make political progress.
Corruption and dysfunction is rampant, and last week General Petraeus himself conceded that no one, in either the U.S. government or the Iraqi government, feels that there has been sufficient progress by any means in the area of national reconciliation.
The Iraqi cabinet approved a draft of a law today that would set guidelines for countrywide distribution of oil revenues and foreign investment in the immense oil industry.
The endorsement marked a major agreement among the country’s ethnic and sectarian political blocs on one of Iraq’s most divisive issues.
True this law hasn't been approved or enacted as of yet, but it is a sticky problem and progress is being made.
Point
Senator Clinton
So by the middle of this summer when the additional surge forces have been sent home, we'll be right back at square one with 130,000 or more troops on the ground in Iraq. That President Bush seems to want to keep as many troops there after the surge as before and says that doing otherwise would endanger our progress is a clear admission that the surge has not accomplished its goals. Meanwhile, as we continue to police Iraq’s civil war, the threats to our national security, our economy, and our standing in the world continue to mount.
Counterpoint
There is no civil war.
From the ABC/BBC poll we learn that only 3% of Iraqi's say the single biggest problem facing them is war,civil war, or unrest.
Fifty-five percent of Iraqis say things in their own lives are going well, well up from 39 percent as recently as August. More, 62 percent, rate local security positively, up 19 points. And the number who expect conditions nationally to improve in the year ahead has doubled, to 46 percent
Point
Senator Clinton
Taking into consideration the long-term costs of replacing equipment and providing medical care for troops and survivors' benefits for their families, the war in Iraq could ultimately cost well over $1 trillion. That is enough to provide health care for all 47 million uninsured Americans and quality pre-kindergarten for every American child, solve the housing crisis once and for all, make college affordable for every American student, and provide tax relief to tens of millions of middle class families.
Counterpoint
Except this kind of spending in Iraq will end. Providing new entitlements for 47 million Americans will not. Hillary is suggesting that she can use this money to provide these entitlements and give a tax cut? How will that work? And what happens if another war comes along where we have to spend $1 trillion. Where does that money come from?
Point
Senator Clinton
And don't just take it from me. At his confirmation hearing, Admiral Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said that without national political reconciliation, no amount of troops in no amount of time will make much of a difference.
Counterpoint
So now that the national political reconciliation laws have been passed, everything is fine again.
Point
Senator Clinton
Each passing month we stay in Iraq gives the Iraqi government more time to avoid the hard decisions on how to split the oil money and how to share political power. Senator McCain and president bush claim withdrawal is defeat. Well, let's be clear, withdrawal is not defeat. Defeat is keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years.
Counterpoint
So the fact that we are still in Germany and Japan means we lost WWII? Oh. That's right. It hasn't been 100 years yet.
And according to Iraqi's
Moreover, despite their antipathy, big majorities see a continued role for the United States. From two-thirds to 80 percent of Iraqis support future U.S. efforts conducting security operations against al Qaeda or foreign jihadis in Iraq; providing military training, weapons and reconstruction aid; and assisting in security vis-à-vis Iran and Turkey. The most popular of these is a U.S. role confronting al Qaeda.
Future role for U.S.: % support
Security vs. al Qaeda in Iraq: 80%
Training/weapons for Iraqi army: 76%
Reconstruction aid: 73%
Security vs. Iran: 68%
Security vs. Turkey: 66%
But what I didn't hear from Senator Clinton was how she feels about the Iraqi people she wants to abandon.
