Discussion of residual forces is starting to reach way beyond the blogosphere. Here is Jay Leno last night:
If you watched, the three Democratic frontrunners said last night -- this is what they said. Hillary and Barack and John Edwards, they said setting a timetable for a complete withdrawal is irresponsible, because you can't project what the future situation will be in Iraq. And pulling out troops basically depends on the situation on the ground. Otherwise known as 'the Bush plan.' Hello?"
Back in April when Matt and I were arguing against residual force on MyDD, it might have just seemed like a couple of cranks with a blog and a pet issue. Now this is on Jay Leno, who lays out the Iraq blurring strategy that can partially result from residual force plans. It is absolutely mainstream.
This should be a big concern for all Democrats. Americans do not support a significant, long term troop response in Iraq. From a recent CBS poll:
CBS News Poll. Sept. 14-16, 2007. N=706 adults nationwide. MoE ± 4 (for all adults).
"From what you know about the U.S. involvement in Iraq, how much longer would you be willing to have large numbers of U.S. troops remain in Iraq: less than a year, one to two years, two to five years or longer than five years?"
Less than a year: 49%
One to two years: 23%
Two to five years: 12%
More than five years: 5%
Other / Unsure: 11%
If Democrats want ot avoid the blurring strategy, they better start making it clear what size of residual force they intend to leave in Iraq. This is especially true of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. Until they do, they will rightfully be skewered by the likes of Jay Leno and others, and their anti-war veneer will be severely damaged. I mean, if you can't promise Americans that you will pull all American troops out by 2013, and you also can't tell them how many troops you will leave in Iraq, then Leno is right: exactly how is this different from the Bush plan? It won't be long before quite a few voters start asking that question, and offering up a few more specifics will help provide a sufficient answer before it becomes a problem.
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