A member of the U.S. Air Force rests in a hall at al-Asad air base in Iraq's western province of Anbar. Americans want him home safe and sound with his family. At least, the sane ones do.
(Mohammed Ameen/Reuters)
Republicans are pissed that the U.S. is letting Iraq handle its own affairs. Like
Mitt Romney:
President Obama’s astonishing failure to secure an orderly transition in Iraq has unnecessarily put at risk the victories that were won through the blood and sacrifice of thousands of American men and women. The unavoidable question is whether this decision is the result of a naked political calculation or simply sheer ineptitude in negotiations with the Iraqi government. The American people deserve to hear the recommendations that were made by our military commanders in Iraq.
But while Republicans want our troops unsafe, dying far from their families, Americans disagree.
Public Policy Polling for Daily Kos. 10/27-30. Registered voters. (No trend lines)
Do you support or oppose President Obama’s decision to withdraw all Americans troops from Iraq by the end of this year?
All: 64 support, 28 oppose
Dem: 88/8
Rep: 34/51
Ind: 66/27
Once again, the GOP is out of step with the American mainstream. But if you wonder why the GOP presidential candidates tripped all over themselves to criticize Obama's decision, check out this:
Tea Party: 27 support, 58 oppose
It all makes sense now, doesn't it? So the GOP presidential pretenders continue to kowtow to the fringe teabaggers, ceding the political center in the process.