Kathianne
07-31-2008, 12:23 PM
http://www.slate.com/id/2196229/?from=rss
The two main party candidates are so close together, not a whit worth of difference, regardless of YOUR stance:
http://www.slate.com/id/2196229/?from=rss
The Iraq EquationMcCain and Obama don't think that differently on Iraq.
By John Dickerson and Chris Wilson
Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 7:47 PM ET
John McCain and Barack Obama. Click image to expandJohn McCain and Barack Obama
Over the last few weeks, Barack Obama and John McCain have seemed to get perilously close to agreeing on what to do in Iraq. Obama continues to talk about a 16-month withdrawal but would let military commanders determine the pace of the withdrawal. McCain is also now in favor of a 16-month timeline—as long as the commanders determine the pace of the withdrawal. After the withdrawal, how many soldiers would be left and what would they do? Both candidates agree on that, too. U.S. forces would continue to train Iraqi soldiers, fight al-Qaida, assist Sunni tribal leaders, and fight Shiite militias. How long they would do all of this, and in what numbers, would be up to the commanders on the ground.
How close are the two candidates? Below are two mathematical formulas derived from their public statements. Mouse over each number and variable to see the source.
X. Advice from commanders: If conditions improve, X will equal 1 or greater, Obama will bring one to two brigades home each month, and McCain will complete the withdrawal in 16 months. (One brigade=2,500 troops.) If the military advisers recommend a less expeditious withdrawal, X decreases, the number of troops that Obama withdraws each month lowers, and McCain's overall timetable expands. The residual forces both candidates envision (which are a function of X) will also get larger...
The two main party candidates are so close together, not a whit worth of difference, regardless of YOUR stance:
http://www.slate.com/id/2196229/?from=rss
The Iraq EquationMcCain and Obama don't think that differently on Iraq.
By John Dickerson and Chris Wilson
Posted Wednesday, July 30, 2008, at 7:47 PM ET
John McCain and Barack Obama. Click image to expandJohn McCain and Barack Obama
Over the last few weeks, Barack Obama and John McCain have seemed to get perilously close to agreeing on what to do in Iraq. Obama continues to talk about a 16-month withdrawal but would let military commanders determine the pace of the withdrawal. McCain is also now in favor of a 16-month timeline—as long as the commanders determine the pace of the withdrawal. After the withdrawal, how many soldiers would be left and what would they do? Both candidates agree on that, too. U.S. forces would continue to train Iraqi soldiers, fight al-Qaida, assist Sunni tribal leaders, and fight Shiite militias. How long they would do all of this, and in what numbers, would be up to the commanders on the ground.
How close are the two candidates? Below are two mathematical formulas derived from their public statements. Mouse over each number and variable to see the source.
X. Advice from commanders: If conditions improve, X will equal 1 or greater, Obama will bring one to two brigades home each month, and McCain will complete the withdrawal in 16 months. (One brigade=2,500 troops.) If the military advisers recommend a less expeditious withdrawal, X decreases, the number of troops that Obama withdraws each month lowers, and McCain's overall timetable expands. The residual forces both candidates envision (which are a function of X) will also get larger...