Edwards Lost and Found

ABC News’ Teddy Davis Reports: Former Sen. John Edwards, D-N.C., rejected President Bush’s argument that those who want to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq have to say the war is "militarily lost."

"No, well that’s just political rhetoric," said Edwards to ABC News’ Diane Sawyer. "He knows the reality. The reality is the Maliki and the Shiite government have to reach some sort of agreement with the Sunnis."

Edwards said "there was never a possibility of a military victory."

The former North Carolina senator believes the violence in Iraq stems from a political conflict between Iraq’s Shiites and Sunnis.

"Until that conflict is resolved by the Iraqis," said Edwards, "there’s going to be violence there."
Edwards believes that withdrawing U.S. troops will send a message to Iraqis that they are "going to have to take responsibility" for their own country. 

After pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq, Edwards would maintain a presence in the region, including a rapid deployment force in Kuwait, a beefed up presence in Afghanistan, a Naval presence in the Persian Gulf, and some troops in Jordan if permission were granted.

Edwards made his comments during a New Orleans "town hall" meeting which was nationally televised Monday morning on ABC News’ "Good Morning America."