Richardson discusses troops in Iraq and aid to veterans

By JON ERICSON, Courier Staff Writer

WATERLOO --- In a campaign stop at Sullivan Brothers Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1623 in Waterloo, Bill Richardson pledged to end the war in Iraq while promising a litany of benefits for veterans.

Richardson, a Democrat candidate for president, told the crowd he would call for an immediate withdraw of troops in Iraq if he were elected.

"The first thing I would do as president is get all of our troops out of Iraq. That's all of the troops with no residual forces," Richardson said.

Richardson said Iraq isn't helpless and troops could be withdrawn all at once. He said the country has a 400,000-man strong security force, trillions in oil reserves and a government in place and they should be able to fend for themselves.

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