A new Gallup Poll reveals that the country approves of President Obama’s decision to remove troops from Iraq by the end of the year. Polls showed a 75% backing in total, but many Republican GOP candidates disagreed with the president’s decision. In his 2008 campaign, President Obama made the promise to withdrawal troops from Iraq and transition to full Iraq responsibility.

With re-election just around the corner; this decision could be beneficial for his support. The troops are planned to be back in the United States by December 31, 2011, bringing an end to the war that has been fought since 2003.

In his speech Obama stated, “The last American soldier will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads held high, proud of their success, and knowing that the American people stand united in our support for our troops.” Even with the majority of the country supporting his decision, it has received criticism from almost all of the Republican GOP candidates.

One of them being Mitt Romney, who is now tied with the president for support in a recent Gallup Poll. Romney, along with many other republicans discussed the abrupt end to the war in Iraq would throw away any progress made in the several years we have been in that country.

At a campaign stop at Granite State, a day after the announcement of the withdrawal of troops, Romney stated, “The unavoidable question is whether this decision is the result of a naked political calculation or simply sheer ineptitude in negotiations with the Iraqi government. The American people deserve to hear the recommendations that were made by our military commanders in Iraq.”

Another GOP hopeful, Michele Bachmann voiced her opposition to the president’s decision stating, “Today’s announcement that we will remove all of our forces from Iraq is a political decision and not a military one; it represents the complete failure of President Obama to secure an agreement with Iraq for our troops to remain there to preserve the peace and demonstrates how far our foreign policy leadership has fallen.”

Another GOP hopeful, Herman Cain, criticized the president’s public announcement to have the troop’s home by December 31^st, saying it wasn’t common sense to reveal the details and dates of the Unites States’ decisions to the enemy. He also said, “I happen to think that Iran is just sitting back and waiting for us to leave and then they’re going to go back in and they’re going to try to control the whole country.

Even though the county shows a strong approval of President Obama’s decision, the GOP candidates fear the repercussions of an abrupt and unfinished end to the seven year war with Iraq.

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About the author

Samantha Steinberg
A Junior at Rutgers University studying political science and communication. Interests include writing, international affairs, and travel. I hope to make a difference in the world and raise awareness through my writing.

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