“The vast majority of troops should be pulled out of the country or re-deployed to support and train Iraqis within 12-14 months.”

 “The Congress should insist that the upcoming funding request from the Bush Administration reflects this timetable and drawdown of troops in Iraq. We saw just yesterday the funding request by the Bush Administration that is piecemeal and ever expanding.”

 “Idahoans tell me every day the cost of this war must come under control. The Congress is the only body capable of stemming the flow of dollars to this seemingly endless war.”

 “Idahoans understand the total cost of this war is crashing through one trillion dollars, and they know this obligation will be absorbed by our children and grandchildren. Someone must put the brakes on this war now.”

 “As a U.S. Army intelligence officer during the Vietnam era, I believe it should be a military decision of how the troops should be withdrawn, but the political decision to withdraw should not be delayed. The withdrawal should begin now, not next month or next year. It definitely cannot wait for the next Administration.”

 “In April, I called for a new direction in Iraq. In September, I called for a draw down of troops in Iraq. Today, I call for a strategic change in the Bush Administration’s failed policy in Iraq and for an orderly withdrawal of American troops.”

 “The Bush Administration’s failed Iraq strategy will cost the U.S. more than one trillion dollars, leave our military infrastructure fractured, and lose thousands of American lives. It has not made us stronger. It has made us weaker. And the strategy risks a larger Middle East war in Turkey and Iran.”

 “Our key allies have recognized the failure of the Bush Administration’s strategy and have begun to withdraw their troops. The U.S. should make the strategic decision to begin a troop withdrawal and replace our military focus with a diplomatic initiative in the region.”