Democratic incumbent President; IL Senator (2004-2008):
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Afghan War
- Move into support role in Afghanistan; 34,000 troops home. (Feb 2013)
- We had forgotten why we went into Afghanistan. (Oct 2012)
- End our longest war: out of Afghanistan in 2014. (Sep 2012)
- All but one advisor cautioned against Osama bin Laden strike. (Jan 2012)
- Make sure Afghanistan is never again a source of attack. (Jan 2012)
- FactCheck: Taliban may control countryside after US leaves. (Jan 2012)
- 2009: Command is a solemn responsibility; war has no glory. (Oct 2011)
- Afghan war: moral imperative against determined enemy. (Oct 2011)
- We've taken the fight to al Qaeda in Afghanistan, until July. (Jan 2011)
- OpEd: Relying heavily on drones causes civilian casualties. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: Af-Pak drones: targeted kills but extra-judicial. (May 2010)
- OpEd: Conservatives happy Obama is staying in Afghanistan. (Apr 2010)
- Troops will begin to exit Afghanistan in July 2011. (Jan 2010)
- Evil does exist in the world; sometimes war is justified. (Dec 2009)
- America is not--and never will be--at war with Islam. (Jun 2009)
- More aid to Pakistan; but pursue bin Laden over their border. (Oct 2008)
- Unwise war in Iraq distracted us from catching Bin Laden. (Sep 2008)
- Military surge in Afghanistan to eliminate the Taliban. (May 2008)
- Al Qaida is based in northwest Pakistan; strike if needed. (Jan 2008)
- Deal with al Qaeda on Pakistan border, but not with nukes. (Aug 2007)
- Military action in Pakistan if we have actionable intel. (Aug 2007)
- FactCheck: Yes, Obama said invade Pakistan to get al Qaeda. (Aug 2007)
- Focus on battle in Afghanistan and root out al Qaeda. (Jun 2007)
- We did the right thing in Afghanistan. (Mar 2007)
Iraq War
- Green Party OpEd: We are not out of Iraq. (Aug 2012)
- OpEd: Calling Iraq "a dumb war" left open "smarter war". (Jun 2012)
- Iraq was a rash war, based on politics, not on reason. (Jun 2012)
- 2008 trump card: opposition to Iraq War showed experience. (Jun 2012)
- For first time in 9 years, no Americans are fighting in Iraq. (Jan 2012)
- 2002: Opposed war while all other candidates supported it. (Aug 2009)
- Unlike Afghanistan, Iraq was a war of choice. (Jun 2009)
- I will only send our troops into harm’s way when necessary. (Aug 2008)
- 2002 anti-war speech was not popular opinion at that time. (Apr 2008)
- Humanitarian aid now for displaced Iraqis. (Feb 2008)
- End the war, and end the mindset that got us into war. (Jan 2008)
- The Iraq war was conceptually flawed from the start. (Jan 2008)
- Title of Iraq war authorization bill stated its intent. (Jan 2008)
- No permanent bases in Iraq. (Jan 2008)
- Congress decides deployment level & duration, not president. (Dec 2007)
- Leave troops for protection of Americans & counterterrorism. (Sep 2007)
- Hopes to remove all troops from Iraq by 2013, but no pledge. (Sep 2007)
- We live in a more dangerous world because of Bush’s actions. (Jun 2007)
- Case for war was weak, but people voted their best judgment. (Jun 2007)
- War in Iraq is “dumb” but troops still need equipment. (Apr 2007)
- Open-ended Iraq occupation must end: no military solution. (Apr 2007)
- Iraq 2002: ill-conceived venture; 2007: waste of resources. (Feb 2007)
- Saddam did not own and was not providing WMD to terrorists. (Oct 2004)
- Invading Iraq was a bad strategic blunder. (Oct 2004)
- Democratizing Iraq will be more difficult than Afghanistan. (Oct 2004)
- Never fudge numbers or shade the truth about war. (Jul 2004)
- Iraq war was sincere but misguided, ideologically driven. (Jul 2004)
- Not opposed to all wars, but opposed to the war in Iraq. (Jul 2004)
Trouble Spots
- Support Ukraine and sanction Russia but no military action. (Nov 2017)
- ISIS, like the Crusades, doesn't mean religion is violent. (Feb 2015)
- I will veto any new sanctions against Iran. (Jan 2015)
- Authorize the use of force against ISIL. (Jan 2015)
- Support rebels in Syria who oppose terrorism. (Jan 2014)
- America must move off a permanent war footing. (Jan 2014)
- Syria's Assad crossed "red line" by using chemical weapons. (Jun 2013)
- On Iranian nukes: Big nations can't bluff. (Mar 2013)
- We organized world community to agree that Assad has to go. (Oct 2012)
- I will stand with Israel if they are attacked. (Oct 2012)
- Key to Iranian sanctions was world's involvement. (Oct 2012)
- Supported "Iron Dome" defense shield for Israel. (Oct 2012)
- Libyan people appreciate that America liberated them. (Sep 2012)
- Syrian use of chemical weapon is "red line" for intervention. (Aug 2012)
- Expanded CIA drone program for "targeted killings". (Jun 2012)
- Take no options off the table if Iran develops nukes. (Jan 2012)
- Intervene in Libya for humanitarian reasons. (Jun 2011)
- Supports Arab Peace Initiative (two states) with exceptions. (Jun 2010)
- Continued Israeli settlements in West Bank are illegitimate. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: 2008: Denounced Mumbai attacks, but not Gaza attacks. (Jun 2010)
- OpEd: Overreaction to North Korean rockets. (Apr 2009)
- Prevent Iran from attacking Israel, but keep military option. (Oct 2008)
- 2002: I don't oppose all war; I am opposed to dumb war. (Aug 2008)
- Engaging in tough diplomacy with Iran is a sign of strength. (Jul 2008)
- Iran is biggest strategic beneficiary of invasion of Iraq. (May 2008)
- Take no options off the table if Iran attacks Israel. (Apr 2008)
- Two-state solution: Israel & Palestine side-by-side in peace. (Feb 2008)
- No action against Iran without Congressional authorization. (Dec 2007)
- Iran: Bush does not let facts get in the way of ideology. (Dec 2007)
- Meet directly for diplomacy with the leadership in Iran. (Nov 2007)
- Committed to Iran not having nuclear weapons. (Oct 2007)
- Iran military resolution sends the region a wrong signal. (Oct 2007)
- Iran with nuclear weapons is a profound security threat. (Apr 2007)
- Terrorists are in Saudi Arabia, Syria, and Iran. (Oct 2004)
- Problems with current Israeli policy. (Jul 2004)
- Engage North Korea in 6-party talks. (Jul 2004)
- Use moral authority to work towards Middle East peace. (Jul 2004)
Voting Record
- Voted to fund war until 2006; now wants no blank check. (Nov 2007)
- Late to vote against war is not late to oppose war. (Jun 2007)
- Spending on the Cold War relics should be for the veterans. (Jun 2007)
- Would have voted no to authorize the President to go to war. (Jul 2004)
- Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq by March 2008. (Mar 2007)
- Voted NO on redeploying troops out of Iraq by July 2007. (Jun 2006)
- Voted YES on investigating contract awards in Iraq & Afghanistan. (Nov 2005)
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Written by
Daniel Biss on War & Peace
Jeanne Ives on War & Peace
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