Dear Friend,

Many people like to say all of the Democratic Presidential candidates have basically the same position on Iraq. Well, it just isn't true.

I've repeatedly called for a complete withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq. There's no confusion or ambiguity or waffling in my position: just bring ALL of the troops home. No excuses. No delays. No troops left behind.

The other major candidates would leave some troops behind (as many as 75,000) indefinitely.

That's a major difference -- any way you look at it.

I have been repeatedly asking the other candidates point blank: how many troops would you leave behind? 25,000? 50,000? 75,000? For how long?

I still haven't received an answer. But the American people deserve to know -- especially this critical week when the Senate is making noises about a compromise on an Iraq troop withdrawal and as General Petraeus just gave White House-spin testimony supporting the "surge".

The time for deal-making is long past. Beltway bargaining has only led to the deaths of more Americans. As Senators compromise, soldiers die, and the Iraqis have an excuse to continue avoiding a political solution to their strife.

And if we elect a President who thinks that troops should stay in Iraq for years, they will stay there for years.

So join me now in asking: how many troops would you leave behind? For how long?

The inside-the-Beltway conventional thinking says a complete withdrawal is "irresponsible." Of course, this is the same thinking that concluded it was responsible to invade Iraq to hunt WMDs in the first place, that continuing to fund the war is the way to end it, and that the so-called "surge" is a success.

I think it is irresponsible to continue half-measures and incremental steps when what we need is a clean break. No drawn-out, Vietnam-style withdrawal. No stalling. The responsible path now is to get all of our troops out as quickly as possible.

I've met and successfully negotiated with leaders from the region (including Saddam Hussein himself) -- and my first-hand experience tells me only a complete withdrawal will break the deadlock and forward, toward real change. As long as our troops are there, the Iraqis will delay reconciliation. It is time to get our troops out of harm's way in this civil war, and it is time to get our lingering presence in Iraq out of the way of the diplomatic process.

The Bush Administration has been using half-measures since this war started, and now we have to make a decision -- it is either in or out; now or later -- after more people die. You can't have it both ways.

Saying that all Democrats have the same position because "any" Democrat would end the war eventually is a cop out. Saying there is no military solution in Iraq and then advocating leaving US troops behind is nuts.

I am the only candidate committed to changing the conventional wisdom on Iraq. I am the only candidate with the diplomatic experience to get all our troops out and bring the Iraqi factions together. Sign my petition now demanding an answer: how many troops? For how long?

Thank you for your help,

Governor Bill Richardson