Troop Transporting

Obama's getting a lot of flak on both sides for his Iraq withdrawal policy that he officially announced today at Camp Lejeune.

"Let me say this as plainly as I can: By August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," Obama said in a speech at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Between 35,000 to 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq, he said. They would be withdrawn gradually until all U.S. forces are out of Iraq by December 31, 2011 -- the deadline set under an agreement the Bush administration signed with the Iraqi government last year.

The problem is he's getting pillaged on the left by the likes of Nancy and Rachel Maddow and on the right by the wingnuts for leaving those troops in country (and the August timing...just before the 2010 midterm elections.)

Frankly, I have to combine both criticisms. 35,000 troops in Iraq is 35,000 too many, and the timing does make Obama look like he's gearing up the Dems for a midterm declaration of "Mission Accomplished" redux.

It's an ugly compromise on something that shouldn't be compromised. The American people overwhelmingly want out of Iraq, and withdrawing 75% of our troops there just isn't going to cut it.

Right now this plan leaves Obama rightly open to being Bush on this issue on both sides.