President Obama and lawmakers in Washington D.C. had largely positive things to say about the election in Iraq this past weekend. Senators Evan Bayh, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham stopped by stake out cameras after Sunday show appearances to share their thoughts about the milestone election and troop withdrawal.
The president spoke about how the elections show stability for Iraqis and the timetable for withdrawing American troops from the region saying, “We will continue with the responsible removal of United States forces from Iraq…By the end of August the combat mission will end…And by the end of next year, all U.S. forces will be out of Iraq.”
Sen. Evan Bayh (D-IN) agreed with the president that a successful election will only help in removing U.S. troops from the area, “Ultimately in both Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s up to them. There has to be a functioning government, based on the consensus of the Iraqi people, if they are going to have a stable country, that will allow us to leave.”
When asked if Iraq is moving closer to being a democratic country, Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, took a small swipe at the Obama administration saying, “As the vice president, an earlier supporter of the Iraq war indicated, it could well be one of the big accomplishments of this current administration.” McConnell was referring to Vice President Biden’s comments made on February 10th on CNN’s Larry King Live.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham commended on the Americans and Iraqi’s who made it possible, “The Iraq elections are a result of a lot of blood and sacrifice on part of the American people and Iraqi people. The fact that we’re having this election today is a great testament to the Iraqi people who have paid a heavy price to fight the insurgency to reject Al Qaeda.”
Graham said looking back and looking ahead, “To the men and women who have served in Iraq, this is a testament to your service. To the Iraqi people, well done. Keep trying, democracy is hard, but there is a better way for your children if you continue the course that you’re on. It will be a moderating force in the Mideast at a time when we desperately need it.”