National+Security

toc Erin and Andrew

III. What are McCain and Obama's positions on the issue?
With all respect to the war, Obama has always opposed the invasion of Iraq and the increase in U.S troops. (Time for Kids, Election Connection: Iraq) He believes in removing the troops as quickly as possible and dealing with the war a new and better way. Barckobama.com states, “The removal of our troops will be responsible and phased, directed by military commander on the ground and done in consultation with the Iraqi government.” Obama wants to make sure he has the Iraqi government’s approval and the countries support. (Barack [|Obama].com, War in Iraq **and** [|Scholastic].com, Where the candidates stand) McCain’s positions are pretty much the exact opposite of Obama’s. McCain is opposed to taking troops out of Iraq until he believes that they are ready to return home. JohnMcCain.com states, “John McCain believes it is strategically and morally essential for the United States to support the Government of Iraq to become capable of governing itself and safeguarding its people. He strongly disagrees with those who advocate withdrawing American troops before that has occurred.” He suggests that to help Iraq grow stronger the U.S needs to support their government to direct and protect them. (John McCain.com, strategy for victory in Iraq) McCain supports the increase in American troops in Iraq but believes he will have most forces home by 2013. (New York Times, On the Issues: Iraq **and** Scholastic.com, Where the candidates stand) Obama and McCain mostly disagree on the issue of the Iraq war. Both candidates disagree on the start of the war in the first place. They disagree on withdrawing American troops and when the appropriate time to send them home is. (Time for Kids) Obama opposes the increase in troops while McCain supports it. Obama plans on having troops home within 16 months while McCain sees them coming home around 2013. (nytimes.com **and** America.gov)
 * __Obama:__**
 * __McCain:__**