While substantial differences obviously remain, it's worth
noting that for all the back and forth between the campaigns,
McCain and Obama are closer in their Iraq policy proposals than
they've ever been. The Bush administration, without McCain's
objection, is considering stepped up withdrawal from Iraq. McCain has suggested
he would like the war to be more or less over by 2013 and his
budget projections assume substantial withdrawals. (Some critics
argue they would require near-total
withdrawals.) Obama has indicated a willingness to withdraw more
slowly than he originally proposed if facts on the ground warrant,
without making the reduction in violence following the surge the
only relevant fact. While his position is not
conditions-based enough for the liberal hawks at the Washington
Post it nevertheless has plenty of doves aflutter. I'm not the first person to notice this. McCain's position has been more
consistent and stable, which gives supporters of the war more
reason to trust him. Obama would still draw down troops faster than
McCain. But the differences between the candidates on this issue
are getting smaller, not larger.
topics:
Iraq
