More like this, please:
llinois Sen. Barack Obama, traveling across Iowa on the second day of his presidential campaign, on Sunday challenged his rivals for the Democratic nomination to detail their plans for ending the war in Iraq, arguing that he has proposed the most explicit blueprint for withdrawing U.S. forces from the conflict.
Obama, who has set a deadline of March 31, 2008, for the redeployment of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, said he does not see a similarly explicit plan from his major rivals, particularly New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, the early front-runner in the Democratic race."I am not clear on how she would proceed at this point to wind down the war in a specific way," he told reporters shortly before a boisterous rally on the campus of Iowa State University. "I know that she has stated that she thinks that the war should end by the start of the next president's first term. Beyond that though, how she wants to accomplish that, I'm not clear on."
During the news conference, Obama also fired back at critics who he said are mistaken in claiming his candidacy is long on style and short on substance.
"One of the narratives that's established itself among the mainstream media is this notion, 'Well, Obama has pretty good style, he can deliver a pretty good speech but he seems to prioritize rhetoric over substance,' " he said. "Factually that's incorrect."
[...]During his news conference, Obama volunteered his frustration with what he said was a developing storyline about the lack of policy details surrounding his ambitious domestic and national security agenda.
"The fact of the matter is that I have the most specific plan in terms of how to get out of Iraq," he said. "I have delivered major speeches over the course of the two years before I started running for president on every major issue out here, whether it's education, health care or energy."
Obama also pointed to his two best-selling books, which he said have provided more details of what he would do and how he thinks than any candidate in recent memory.
"The problem is not that the information's not out there," he said. "The problem is that that's not what you guys have been reporting on. You've been reporting on how I look in a swimsuit."
Now, about that plan... Here's an overview, here's a press release on the legislation he has proposed, and here are its key points:
Key Elements of Obama Plan
Stops the Escalation: Caps the number of U.S. troops in Iraq at the number in Iraq on January 10, 2007. This does not affect the funding for our troops in Iraq. This cap has the force of law and could not be lifted without explicit Congressional authorization.De-escalates the War with Phased Redeployment: Commences a phased redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq not later than May 1, 2007, with the goal that all combat brigades redeploy from Iraq by March 31, 2008, a date consistent with the expectation of the Iraq Study Group. This redeployment will be both substantial and gradual, and will be planned and implemented by military commanders. Makes clear that Congress believes troops should be redeployed to the United States; to Afghanistan; and to other points in the region. A residual U.S. presence may remain in Iraq for force protection, training of Iraqi security forces, and pursuit of international terrorists.
Enforces Tough Benchmarks for Progress: These 13 benchmarks are based on President Bush's own statements and Administration documents and include:
Security: Significant progress toward fulfilling security commitments, including eliminating restrictions on U.S. forces, reducing sectarian violence, reducing the size and influence of the militias, and strengthening the Iraqi Army and Police.Political Accommodation: Significant progress toward reaching a political solution, including equitable sharing of oil revenues, revision of de-Baathification, provincial elections, even-handed provision of government services, and a fair process for a constitutional amendment to achieve national reconciliation.
Economic Progress: Requires Iraq to fulfill its commitment to spend not less than $10 billion for reconstruction, job creation, and economic development without regard for the ethnic or sectarian make-up of Iraqi regions.
Should these benchmarks be met, the plan allows for the temporary suspension of this redeployment, subject to the agreement of Congress.Congressional oversight: Requires the President to submit reports to Congress every 90 days describing and assessing the Iraqi government's progress in meeting benchmarks and the redeployment goals.
Intensified Training: Intensifies training of Iraqi security forces to enable the country to take over security responsibility of the country.
Conditions on Economic Assistance: Conditions future economic assistance to the Government of Iraq on significant progress toward achievement of benchmarks. Allows exceptions for humanitarian, security, and job-creation assistance.
Regional Diplomacy: Launches a comprehensive regional and international diplomatic initiative - that includes key nations in the region - to help achieve a political settlement among the Iraqi people, end the civil war in Iraq, and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe and regional conflict. Recommends the President should appoint a Special Envoy for Iraq to carry out this diplomacy within 60 days. Mandates that the President submit a plan to prevent the war in Iraq from becoming a wider regional conflict.
Rather than complain that the Post hadn't provided details, it seemed to me better that I provide them myself. I don't have the reach they have, but hey... I'll do what I can do.


