U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel is repeating calls for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, saying at a news conference in Jordan today that even the Iraqi government wants U.S. combat forces out by 2010.
The Nebraska Republican is accompanying Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on an overseas trip.
Hagel says Iraqi leadership understands that the Iraqi people will determine the nation's future. He says it's time for the United States to start accepting the nation's sovereignty.
| Hagel is a dishpit: Iraq has been sovereign since 2004. It's had an elected government and a constitution these past several years. We're there currently on a UN mandate and will work with the sovereign Iraqi government on a forces agreement. We'll leave when they want us to leave. It seems that both Obama and Hagel, on a fact finding mission, have forgotten a few basic facts. |
Hagel's opposition to the Iraq war -- and Obama's decision to invite him on the trip -- has stirred speculation that Obama may consider the Republican as a running mate. Hagel told The Associated Press last month that he would consider it, although he doesn't expect to be on any ticket. |