Obama calls for withdrawal

At a campaign stop in Clinton, Iowa (yes, Clinton, Iowa), "Barak Obama said the United States should immediately start removing one to two combat brigades from Iraq a month, with a goal of withdrawing all combat troops by the end of next year and leaving a substantial presence of American forces for a limited humanitarian mission," according to the NY Times.

It's unclear how much of a departure this is for the senator or his main rival, because "his strategy going forward – leaving residual forces to fight Al Qaeda, train Iraqis and protect American forces and diplomats – is similar to the plan embraced by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and other rivals."

“The best way to protect our security and to pressure Iraq’s leaders to resolve their civil war is to immediately begin to remove our combat troops,” Mr. Obama said. “Not in six months or one year – now.”

My take? Seems Obama has come to terms that if he's going to knock off Hill, his only shot is to be the anti-war candidate (in a more subtle way than the 60s). This could be their main difference in the minds of the voters, and Obama could benefit. So look for him to ratchet up the "bring 'em home" rhetoric for the remainder of his campaign. It's his "All in Moment" for you poker fans out there.

And don't think the name of the town was a coincidence.