Ladies and gentlemen,
Tonight marks the end of the American combat mission in Iraq.
As a candidate for this office, I pledged to end this war to get some votes. And, as President, I'm fulfilling a campaign promise issued for political gain.
Since I became Commander-in-Chief, we've brought home nearly 100,000 U.S. troops prematurely, and against the advice of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
As Operation Iraqi Freedom ends, I'm saying our commitment to a sovereign, stable, and self-reliant Iraq continues as I pull the plug. Insurgent activity has been on the rise as my announced timeline of August 31 drew near, their strategy for regaining control was simple - wait until the American combat forces leave.
Ending this war is not in Iraq's interest -- but it is in Democrat party interest. There's an election coming.
In seven years, the young men and women in our military have confronted a mission as challenging and as complex as any our military has ever been asked to face. But it's now time to turn our backs on fighting terrorism in Iraq, I campaigned against the surge and said it wouldn't work, I won't admit it was indeed successful and it doesn't matter that we'll be leaving the Iraqi people hanging.
Tonight, we mark a milestone in our nation's history. This day is my stamp on the Iraq war, so let it be written, so let it be done.
Thank you,
President Barack Obama
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