Is Iraq an election issue???

Iraq deal hovers over presidential campaign By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer
Fri Aug 22, 3:39 PM ET

WASHINGTON - Republican presidential candidate John McCain prides himself on being gung-ho about pursuing the Iraq war even if it hurts him politically. Recent events in Baghdad threaten to put him still farther out on a limb, however, as the Bush administration works toward a troop withdrawal schedule that is more aggressive than McCain envisions.

Democrat Barack Obama says a McCain presidency would amount to a third term for President Bush, whose popularity approaches historic lows. If the Baghdad negotiations appear headed to fruition while Iraq remains relatively stable — big ifs — some say Obama may be able to push even harder, saying McCain would out-Bush Bush if he had his way.

On the other hand, if Americans believe the war is winding down in an acceptable way, it could significantly reduce the importance of an issue central to Obama's rise to political prominence.

Iraq and the Bush administration have reached a preliminary agreement under which U.S. combat forces would pull out of major Iraqi cities, where most of the fighting has taken place, by next June and leave Iraq by 2011. It would link troop reductions to achievement of certain undisclosed security milestones. The deal also would require the endorsement of top Iraqi leaders and the Iraqi parliament, which is far from certain.

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