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Top Democrats on Monday reacted to the 4,000th U.S. death in Iraq by calling for a change in policy. Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) called the event a “grim milestone” and advocated a new course on Iraq. “It is past time to end this war that should never have been waged by bringing our troops home, and finally pushing Iraq's leaders to take responsibility for their future,” Obama stated. His rival for the nomination, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.), said at the onset of a speech on the economy that the news of the 4,000th U.S. death in Iraq is “heartbreaking” and noted that thousands of others have suffered from injuries. “As president, I intend to honor their extraordinary service and the sacrifice of them and their families by ending this war and bringing them home as quickly and responsibly as possible,” Clinton vowed. Meantime, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said that “Americans are asking how much longer must our troops continue to sacrifice for the sake of an Iraqi government that is unwilling or unable to secure its own future.” With the Iraq war having taken a backseat to the economy as the most pressing issue, Pelosi sought to tie the two together. “Americans also understand that the cost of the war to our national security, military readiness and our reputation around the world is immense and that the threat to our economy – as the war in Iraq continues to take us deeper into debt – is unacceptable,” the House speaker stated. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) noted that the goal is to bring U.S. troops home. “But to honor the sacrifice of those who have fallen - and their families - we must make sure the men and women of our Armed Forces come home in victory, having defeated our enemies and made America safer,” Boehner said. “Wrong-headed attempts to pull out of Iraq before we have won will mean chaos and even genocide in the region, and greater danger for America.” |
