President Announces the End of Combat Troops in Iraq by August 31, 2010

Among those who quickly supported the President's announcement in the Senate was John McCain of Arizona.

WASHINGTON (Catholic Online) - During the 2008 Presidential election, one of the purported points of disagreement between the Democratic nominee and now President, Barack Obama and the Republican nominee, Senator John McCain, was over ending the Iraq War.

At the time, many observers (this writer included) contended there was no real difference between the two candidates on this issue.

On Friday Feb. 27, 2009, the lack of this difference proved to be the case as the President announced that combat troops would leave Iraq by August 31, 2010. However, he also clarified that no dramatic draw down would occur until Iraqi elections, scheduled for the end of 2009, are concluded.

The President spoke to a crowd assembled at the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune, N.C, as well as to the global television audience: "Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end... As we carry out this drawdown, my highest priority will be the safety and security of our troops and civilians in Iraq."

On that last point, he announced that somewhere between 35,000 and 50,000 American troops would remain. They are purportedly slated to assume non-combat roles assisting the Iraqi's in numerous capacities. Those troops are to be withdrawn by Dec. 31, 2011, the date agreed to between the Iraqi Government and the former U.S. administration.

Thus, it seems to be no surprise to this observer that among those who quickly supported the President's announcement in the Senate was John McCain of Arizona who said on the Senate floor "I am cautiously optimistic that the plan as laid out by the president can lead to success. "

There do appear to be some Senators in his own Party who are not pleased with the President's decision to leave that many troops in place.

However, the President apparently conferred with the Commander of all US Troops in Iraq, General Ray Odierno and was told that he felt it necessary to have a "substantial force on the ground in Iraq to ensure that the elections come off."

An unnamed White House official is quoted as telling the Press "The president found that very compelling". In essence, the very position taken by the President's former rival during the campaign.

Now, with the war in Afghanistan heating up the question is where will those troops go?

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