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Yes, The time has come to leave Iraq regardless of whether Iraq is ready to defend its people. We should make a timetable for withdrawal that is tied to the performance of the Government of Iraq in achieving our benchmarks. The Administration has not set benchmarks for the government of Iraq to meet over the last few years and this has led to the problems we now must face as we decide on the correct course for the future. The policy has been to open ended without consequence and the government of Iraq has not moved with any sense of urgency. This problematic mismanagement also occurred with the handling of Hurricane Katrina and has seemed to stigmatize this administration for some time.

We should have the benchmarks in place for the government of Iraq to achieve and commence a draw down of troop strength pursuant to their achieving these benchmarks. This plan should have consequences if the bench marks are not achieved and the troops should leave sooner. Iraq may never be ready to defend its people as long as they think our commitment is open ended. The difficulty with the decision to invade Iraq was never about winning the war, it was always about winning the peace. The exit strategy was always the difficulty. This was discussed at the time in the United States press, by political observers, by the talk shows, and folks on the street. Why this is such a problem today shows just how poorly managed this war was. The troops should begin to come home since we cannot explain any longer with any clarity to the parents of our brave soldiers exactly why their sons and daughters are still in Iraq. It's time for the Government of Iraq to step up and manage their country. If they cannot do it soon, they may never be able to do it.

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