the difference on Iraq

Sanford: We Shouldn’t Listen To ‘A Particular Person’s Opinion In Baghdad’ About Withdrawing From Iraq

Yesterday on CNN’s Late Edition, South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford (R) admitted to “drawing a blank” when asked whether there are any “significant differences between” Bush and McCain on economic policy. (Sanford may want to take his cues from another McCain surrogate Roy Blunt, who said previously that McCain is offering a third Bush term on the economy and “that’s a good thing.”)

In the same interview, Sanford — rumored to be a leading vice presidential contender for McCain — was asked by host Wolf Blitzer how he responds to Iraqi government officials who are calling for a timetable for withdrawal. Sanford implied the U.S. president shouldn’t listen to Iraqi opinion:

The decision will ultimately be made by the next president of the United States. And as a consequence, you know, people’s view on that particular subject, I think, will drive a good part of the decision-making that’s ultimately going to be done in Washington, D.C. In short, the decision, I think, will be made in Washington, D.C., rather than as a consequence of a particular person’s opinion in Baghdad.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and National Security Adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie have made clear in recent weeks that they want a firm timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, thus putting a severe dent in John McCain’s plans for a 100-year-plus occupation.

Sen. Barack Obama writes today in the New York Times, “Instead of seizing the moment and encouraging Iraqis to step up, the Bush administration and Senator McCain are refusing to embrace this transition — despite their previous commitments to respect the will of Iraq’s sovereign government.” Obama lauds statements from Iraqi officials as “good news” and argues that “we should seize this moment to begin the phased redeployment of combat troops that I have long advocated.”

(Think Progress)
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This is the difference between the two candidates - McCain wants to stay indefinitely, but Obama wants to actually accomplish something and change the course so that we can end our occupation and the Iraqis can stand up for themselves.