John Edwards on Iraq

Democracy For America petitioned presidential candidates on where they stand on Iraq. John Edwards responds. He feels non-binding resolutions are pointless.The former Senator wants to see combat troops removed within a year.

Edwards has shown greater political courage on Iraq than other candidates in both parties. He has taken responsibility for his vote given the President the authorization for war. Edwards Meet the Press appearance is a good example.

I remember vividly what I was thinking about at the time. It was, first, I was convinced he had weapons of mass destruction. That’s turned out to be completely wrong and false. I had internal conflict because I was worried about what George Bush would do. I didn’t have—I didn’t have confidence about him doing the work that needed to be done with the international community, the lead-up to a potential invasion in Iraq. I didn’t know, in fairness, that he would be as incompetent as he’s been in the administration of the war. But I had—there were at least two things going on. It wasn’t just the weapons of mass destruction I was wrong about. It’s become absolutely clear—and I’m very critical of myself for this—become absolutely clear, looking back, that I should not have given this president this authority.

Edwards admits he was wrong. That is something President Bush has a hard time doing. He certainly bears a greater responsibility for Iraq than Edwards. The President is Commander-in-Chief and sets the foreign agenda. Bush's message is U.S. troops won't leave Iraq during his term. Bush not only doesn't have an exit strategy; he doesn't have an Iraq strategy.