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."

Edwards has been trying to present himself as the candidate who has been the most specific on issues important to Democratic voters, with Iraq as one of his top priorities.

Even though he voted for the 2002 congressional resolution authorizing the war when he was in the U.S. Senate, Edwards has been pushing his plan to support an immediate withdrawal of 40,000 to 50,000 combat troops from Iraq and a complete withdrawal of all combat troops within a year.

He also insists the U.S. should maintain a presence in the region and engage Syria and Iran.

Last month, during the first Democratic presidential debate, Edwards did not raise his hand when moderator Brian Williams surveyed the candidates on whether they believed there was a global war on terror. Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. and Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., raised their hands.

Edwards has been trying to position himself far to the left on the Iraq war debate amongst his Democratic rivals, particularly those still sitting in the Senate.

In addition to pressuring Congress to stand up to the president, Edwards has repeatedly apologized for voting for the war and has continued his anti-war sentiment in television ads airing in Washington, DC, Iowa, New Hampshire, and recently, Oregon. It's a move that has been criticized by political insiders who see Edwards using his position of no longer having to vote in the Senate, to publicly corner those who currently do.

With the impending passing of a clean supplemental bill, sitting senators who are also presidential contenders will face some sort of political fallout, whether they vote for or against the bill.

Edwards, who does not regret his decision not to run for a 2004 Senate re-election, acknowledges that he is not free and clear of criticism as he is a candidate for the White House in 2008.

Both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates have been invited to speak to the Council on Foreign Relations in either New York or Washington, DC. John Edwards is the first candidate to address the non-partisan group.