Edwards Delivers Major Foreign Policy Address

May 23, 2007 — -- On the heels of Congress preparing to pass an Iraq war supplemental, outspoken anti-war critic and presidential contender John Edwards continues to spar with lawmakers about the terms to end the war in Iraq and bring U.S. troops home.

"The so-called compromise under discussion in Congress that would give the president another blank check to continue his failed war is a serious mistake. Full funding is full funding, no matter what you call it," Edwards said today in response to the recent congressional development that Democrats are willing to work with President Bush to pass an Iraq war supplemental, stripped of a timetable for troop withdrawal.

Edwards has been trying to force a congressional showdown with the president, pressuring Congress to "stand their ground" and send the same bill supporting troop withdrawal to the president over and over again.

Today, Edwards delivered a major address on foreign policy and the future of the military at the same time the future of Iraq was being debated back in Washington.

In an address to the Council on Foreign Relations in New York, Edwards framed the current situation in Iraq around Bush administration policies that he opines have strained the military and increased the threat of terrorism, specifically the global war on terror.

"We need a post-Bush, post-9/11, post-Iraq American military that is mission-focused on protecting Americans from 21st century threats — not misused for discredited ideological pursuits," said Edwards.

"The question is, what should replace the war on terror?" he asked. The answer, according to Edwards, is a new military strategy that focuses on diplomacy, how we gather intelligence and how to rebuild the military.

"For the last four years, the administration has not only mismanaged the war in Iraq, it has mismanaged the military itself," said Edwards, later adding, "As president, I will only use offensive force after all other options, including diplomacy, have been exhausted, and after we have made efforts to bring as many countries as possible to our side."