Edwards Maintains Funding Cuts May Be Needed to End Iraq War

ABC News’ David Muir reports: Former Sen. John Edwards today reiterated his push to cut funding for the war in Iraq if that’s what it takes to end it. His comments come just as Democrats in Washington again consider ways to force a drawdown of troops if the White House maintains significant troop levels in Iraq through next year as expected.

"The Congress needs to force George Bush to end this war because there is no indication that’s there’s any political progress in Iraq," Edwards said in a telephone conference with reporters today. "It’s time for Congress to stand its ground. If there’s no timetable, there should be no funding."

In advance of General David Petraeus’ report to Congress, Edwards said the White House has launched what amounts to a public relations campaign. "They have consistently have painted a rosier picture for what’s happening in Iraq than in reality," Edwards said.

Though the former Senator will not have the opportunity to ask questions of General Petraeus himself, he suggests lawmakers in Washington ask whether there’s been any real progress toward a political solution, rather than squabble over what Edwards characterized as less important benchmarks being touted by the White House.

As he has said during his campaign, Edwards said he believes 40 to 50 thousand troops should be pulled out of Iraq immediately and should be followed by a steady redeployment of troops over the next nine or ten months.

When asked what Iraq would look like in two years if his plan was implemented, Edwards did not provide his own forecast.

"First of all, I don’t think George Bush or anybody in the administration can predict what’s going to happen in Iraq," Edwards said. "What I believe is that the way we maximize the chances for success is we intensify the pressure on the Sunni, Shia and Kurdish leadership in Iraq to reach a comprehensive political solution."