Bush to Iraq : Just Kiddin' About That Sovereignty Thing

Damn America, can't you take the hint that you're overstaying your welcome?

The United States on Tuesday rejected a demand from Iraq for a specific date for pullout of US-led foreign troops from the country, saying any withdrawal will be based on conditions on the ground.

"The US government and the government of Iraq are in agreement that we, the US government, we want to withdraw, we will withdraw. However, that decision will be conditions-based," State Department spokesman Gonzalo Gallegos said.

Iraq said on Tuesday it will reject any security pact with the United States unless it sets a date for the pullout of US-led troops.

So, just to get this straight. We AREN'T willing to go after Bin Laden in the un-governed border mountains of Pakistan because they are a "sovereign" country. However, when the Iraqi Government asks us to give them an estimated time of departure, we pat them on the head and tell them to scamper off and play with their friends?

This is the perfect opportunity for Obama to seize this issue. If Iraq wants a timeline, lets give them a timeline (or at the very least a soft E.T.D.). Back in the February debate with Hillary Clinton, Russert asked what he'd do if the Iraqi Government asked them the United States to leave.

Obama: Well, if the Iraqi government says that we should not be there, then we cannot be there. This is a sovereign government, as George Bush continually reminds us.

Now, I think that we can be in a partnership with Iraq to ensure the stability and the safety of the region, to ensure the safety of Iraqis and to meet our national security interests.

But in order to do that, we have to send a clear signal to the Iraqi government that we are not going to be there permanently, which is why I have said that as soon as I take office, I will call in the Joint Chiefs of Staff, we will initiate a phased withdrawal, we will be as careful getting out as we were careless getting in. We will give ample time for them to stand up, to negotiate the kinds of agreements that will arrive at the political accommodations that are needed. We will provide them continued support. But it is important for us not to be held hostage by the Iraqi government in a policy that has not made us more safe, that's distracting us from Afghanistan, and is costing us dearly, not only and most importantly in the lost lives of our troops, but also the amount of money that we are spending that is unsustainable and will prevent us from engaging in the kinds of investments in America that will make us more competitive and more safe.

If the Iraqi Government wants to the opportunity to stand up on their own, we should give it to them. The sooner we leave, the sooner the Iraqi people can take ownership of their country, and fight to protect it from enemies both foreign and domestic.

It will be interesting to see how McCain responds to his buddies denial of Iraqi sovereignty.