Both Richardson and Edwards would leave troops at the Embassy in Iraq.

[jsamuel]

The difference?

John Edwards realizes that he would be lying to say he would have all troops out in 2013.
Richardson doesn't mind saying he will have all troops out in 2013 despite keeping troops in Iraq.


Richardson then proceeds to attack Edwards for not pledging to have all troops out in 2013.

See why I am angry here?

[Fridays Child]

1. Question: Are troops deployed at our other embassies around the world?

And, if so, in what numbers?

[jsamuel]

3. Yes they are.

Not sure on the # at other places, but every US Embassy in the world is guarded.

[Fridays Child]

7. It's probably also accurate to say that we deploy military advisors around the world.

If our presence in Iraq were limited to embassy duty and some limited advising--a few hundred military personnel, at most--I could live with that.

[ChenZhen]

9. Aren't embassies sovereign territory?

I think this is true, and therefore, having troops in an embassy in different than having troops in a country. Its a technicality really.

[jsamuel]

11. No, that is false. Embassy's are considered in the country they are in.

[CottonBear]

4. I believe that US Marines guard our embassies. n/t

[SteppingRazor]

6. Yes, but numbers vary.

And given that our embassy in Iraq is our largest on the planet, would it even be abnormal to see that Iraq's embassy has more soldiers than any other?

[SteppingRazor]

2. One could argue that Richardson just feels that he doesn't have to state the obvious.

After all, we have troops guarding every other embassy on the planet. Why should Iraq be any different?

(I do see your point, mind you. Just playing devil's advocate here.)

[jsamuel]

5. maybe, except he attacks Edwards for doing the same thing

so that isn't very believable

[gateley]

8. In fairness to all the candidates, it's gotta be nearly impossible

to know what you "would" until you're in the situation that's calling for action.

An ugly example -- a friend of mine always strongly said if her husband ever raised a hand to her she'd be out the door in a flash. Ten years later...

I've always wondered if when the 'new' President actually assumes office, he goes "holy shit -- if I'd have known it was THIS bad..."

So until you're THERE, you just can't KNOW for sure.

[mmonk]

10. Trying to fly with that lie again?

Our embassies are traditionally protected by a marine contingent. Residual forces in Iraq is something different.

[jsamuel]

12. So you argue that Marines are not troops then?

That is ridiculous.

That would still leave Edwards and Richardson even.

[ChenZhen]

14. The media often counts them seperately in body counts...

I never did understand that.

[mmonk]

15. Those guarding the embassy aren't on a combat mission.

For example, our new embassy in Malta has a marine contigent. There is no conflict going on in Malta. They are not there for any military mission. Therefore, they aren't residual forces left there following a conflict. But you know this. So why do you keep going with this line? Did Edwards say he was only going to have an embassy contigent when asked if he would keep troops in Iraq past his first term?

[slick8790]

19. If you're referring to Russert's question at the last debate

then that's a loaded question, made to trigger controversy justl ike this. Edwards has said several times he plans on redeploying combat troops as soon as possible, completing 6-9 months after the start. Truthfully, he couldnt have answered any other way.

[mmonk]

20. What was his answer?

Richardson plans to have all troops out. I know Edwards plans on withdrawing 50000-60000 immeditely and reduce the others later.

[slick8790]

21. Edwards' answer was a simple no, that he could not commit to the withdrawal of all troops by 2013.

[HeraldSquare212]

13. Good to see Richardson moving up to the first tier

[tammywammy]

16. Of course there would be Marines at the embassy

Aren't they at all the embassies around the world?

This whole discussion of troops at an embassy equaling a forever troop presence is just silly.

[Catchawave]

18. combat troops vs security forces are confusing to most ....

two entirely different "missions".

[mmonk]

23. Yep. Especially since one is an embassy detail.

For anyone to say that's leaving troops in Iraq is not being really honest in their discussion.

[ChenZhen]

17. IMHO, the Term "lying" can just as easily be applied to John Edwards when...

He stated today on Wolf Blitzer he was the first to come out with a variety of plans, including a "universal health care" plan.

Its not a UHC plan. Its maybe a universal health insurance plan, but definately not a UHC plan.

If we want to get all technical and all....



But he sure did look snappy in that Carhartt.

[penguin7]

22. So the USA has troops in Russia and China?

Doesn't the USA have embassies in Russia and China?

[tammywammy]

24. Yes

Since Marines protect all embassies, there are Marines at the embassies in countries like Russian and China.

[Solon]

25. I don't have a problem with some marines being stationed at an embassy in Iraq...

Just not that fucking castle/fortress/palace they are building now. Why can't we have a NORMAL embassy in Iraq like we do in most other nations, what we have now is an Imperial Palace, what the fuck do we think we are, Saddam Hussein?

[ProudDad]

26. The right way to deal with this

is to blow up that fucking obtrusive monstrosity of an "embassy", that monument to fascism...

Get the FUCK out of Iraq in favor of U.N. peace keepers (non-USAmerican)...

Wait until the Iraqi people get their country or countries back up and running...

Wait some more until they've been able to forgive us...

and then...

rent a storefront downtown for an embassy...

and yes, put in a couple of jar heads to act as doormen.