Press Releases
Wes Hickman (202) 224-5972 or Kevin Bishop (864) 250-1417
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement on news President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki have agreed to set a conditions-based ‘time horizon’ for the withdrawal of American combat troops from Iraq.
Graham said:
“Before the surge, democratic institutions in
“With today’s agreement on a ‘time-horizon’ for a conditions-based withdrawal of
“The surge provided better security allowing Iraqi institutions to grow in capability and afforded the political leadership breathing space from the violence to reconcile
“Today, the Iraqi government has met 15 of the 18 benchmarks set by Congress. Violence is down sharply across the board.
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“If our nation had taken the ill-advised course charted by Senator Obama -- pulling out troops during the height of sectarian violence – it would have been a death blow to representative government in
“Senator Obama was wrong when he opposed the surge. Senator Obama was wrong when he said it would fail and make things worse. Senator Obama was wrong when he said
“Let’s be clear, the stunning military, economic, and political progress that has been achieved from the surge has come at a heavy price in blood and treasure. But with its success, the likelihood of a stable, functioning, representative government in the heart of the Arab world is now closer to reality.
“All Americans should be proud of the accomplishments of our men and women in uniform, along with the civilian support staff, and hopeful for our friends and allies in the new, democratic
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