Joe Lieberman on Iraq Withdrawal Provision

Today, Senator Joe Lieberman addressed his fellow senators and I would wager that more eloquent arguments for staying in Iraq have yet to be heard.

I don't agree with Mr. Lieberman on a lot of things but I admire his loyalty and his stick-to-his-guns attitude in the face of opposition, even from his own party. Mr. Lieberman argued that pulling out of Iraq would leave a leadership vacuum that would allow insurgents the freedom to do as they wish.

He argued that pulling out would have the opposite effect of what Senator Harry Reid hopes for: it would not endear us to to the citizens of Iraq. They would not look kindly upon us for leaving their country war torn and in turmoil which is what would happen should we leave. Senator Lieberman stated:

Do my friends really believe that this is the way to convince Iraqis, and the world, of the goodness of America and Americans? Does anyone in this chamber really believe that, by announcing a date certain for withdrawal, we will empower Iraqi moderates, or enable Iraq's reconstruction, or open more schools for their children, or more hospitals for their families, or freedom for everyone?

Mr. President [Senate President], with all due respect, this is fantasy.

Regardless of opinion on whether we began this war as a just war, we must finish what we started and do it fully and completely. We cannot walk away and leave Iraq open to Al Qaeda, insurgents or even to the extreme religiosity posed by some religious leaders who would turn Iraq into a religious state. We made a commitment and we must see it through.