Edwards has for the last month been calling on Congress to limit the funding for the Bush troop escalation, which is currently underway. He has said that a debate or a non binding resolution is not good enough.
The only solution in Iraq he said must be a diplomatic one, and the Iraqi people must take responsibility for their country. To do that, Edwards said America must start leaving the country.
He has continued his call for people to sign the petition, to tell Congress not to fund the escalation.
The John Edwards Plan would:
- Stop the escalation and force an immediate withdrawal by using funding caps to restrict the total number of troops in Iraq to 100,000, which would require an immediate drawdown of 40,000-50,000 combat troops without stranding or underfunding a single soldier still in Iraq. Any troops beyond the 100,000 level should be redeployed immediately.
- Block the deployment of troops that do not meet readiness standards and that have not been properly trained and equipped. American Tax dollars must be used to prepare and supply our troops, not escalate the war. It is simply wrong to send our troops into harm's way without all the training and equipment they need.
- Make it clear that President Bush is conducting this war without authorization. The 2002 authorization did not give Bush the power to use U.S. troops to police a civil war. President Bush exceeded his authority long ago. He now needs to end the war and ask Congress for new authority to manage the withdrawal of the U.S. military presence and to help Iraq achieve stability.
- Require a complete withdrawal of combat troops in Iraq within the next 12-18 months without leaving behind any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq.
John Edwards will tonight be on CNN's Larry King Live, 9pm ET to discuss his plan.
