Bill Richardson - Opinion

From Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico and Democratic candidate for president, in an opinion column in the Washington Post:

In the most recent debate, I asked the other candidates how many troops they would leave in Iraq and for what purposes. I got no answers. The American people need answers. If we elect a president who thinks that troops should stay in Iraq for years, they will stay for years -- a tragic mistake.

Clinton, Obama and Edwards reflect the inside-the-Beltway thinking that a complete withdrawal of all American forces somehow would be "irresponsible." On the contrary, the facts suggest that a rapid, complete withdrawal -- not a drawn-out, Vietnam-like process -- would be the most responsible and effective course of action.
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My position has been clear since I entered this race: Remove all the troops and launch energetic diplomatic efforts in Iraq and internationally to bring stability. If Congress fails to end this war, I will remove all troops without delay, and without hesitation, beginning on my first day in office.

Let's stop pretending that all Democratic plans are similar. The American people deserve precise answers from anyone who would be commander in chief. How many troops would you leave in Iraq? For how long? To do what, exactly? And the media should be asking these questions of the candidates, rather than allowing them to continue saying, "We are against the war . . . but please don't read the small print."

Bravo, Bill Richardson. I absolutely agree. He's thrown down the gauntlet. He's challenged the other candidates to state plainly what they will do about Iraq. I challenge them, too. I want details from all of the candidates, not vague statements like, "Well, it's complicated." Dennis Kucinich has stated that he will bring all of the troops home, but what about the rest of them?

I put to them the question that John Kerry asked about the Vietnam War, "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?" Think about that, Democratic candidates, and tell us what you will do if you become president.