On Oct. 3, 2000, George W. Bush — then running for his first term as president — outlined his criteria for committing U.S. troops. His fourth criterion was “whether or not there was an exit strategy.”

On Jan. 31, 2005, Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, R-Nevada, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., called for the administration to outline an exit strategy for Iraq.

Reid said, “We need an exit strategy so that we know what victory is and how we can get there, so that we know what we need to do and so that we know when the job is done.”

Reid also pointed out that it would be a mistake to set a deadline for the withdrawal of forces. He warned that it would be a bad decision “because it only empowers those who don’t want us there.”

The White House responded by criticizing any calls to set a timetable for departure. President Bush is once again breaking a campaign promise. Since Reid specifically warned against a timetable for departure, the White House is playing rhetorical games. Rather than taking responsibility for policy decisions and for flip-flopping, Bush has again resorted to deception. The American people and the troops in Iraq deserve better. We all deserve the honesty and integrity we were promised. The troops and their families deserve a clear mission.

Robin Stone

Assistant Professor

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