Obama: Reduce Number of Troops, Redeploy

Finally a politician in Washington takes a somewhat reasonable position for solving the Iraq quagmire:

Sen. Barack Obama called on Monday for a reduction of U.S. troops in Iraq in four to six months, redeploying some to the more secure northern part of the country and allowing for a stronger force in Afghanistan.

Now the administration will be forced to take a stand, along with the other candidates for 2008 presidential campaign. Obama has thrown down the gauntlet. McCain's position was too simplistic and too unpopular to be taken seriously. Its also bad news for Hillary Clinton. Since she doesn't have a position on the war in Iraq she will be forced to come out of her fox hole, sort of speak.

Expect the White House to ridicule the Obama proposal. But there is no doubt that the Senator's proposal will stir up debate dramatically. The other candidates, and both parties, will be forced to respond to a credible proposal from a serious candidate for next year's Presidential election.