Boehner on Iraq Study Group

Via the WMD Mailbag:

"The American people are understandably concerned about our mission in a post-Saddam Iraq . There have been many tough days since Iraq 's liberation and transition to a sovereign democracy, and there will be more ahead. But our goal has been and must continue to be victory over Iraq 's terrorist elements and their supporters - plain and simple. While advancing freedom and building democracies in a part of the world that has known nothing but tyranny is a difficult task, we have no choice but to win. We will not accomplish victory by setting arbitrary deadlines or negotiating with hostile governments.

"The recommendations from the Iraq Study Group offer a constructive review of the current situation in Iraq . There are also other ongoing reviews that will make recommendations and provide counsel to the Administration for moving forward. The American people rightly expect progress in Iraq , and all of these assessments should be given the due respect and consideration they deserve. But we must not retreat from our obligations to help stabilize Iraq , nor should we give in to the notion that it is in our interests to strike deals with our enemies.

"I was pleased that the ISG agreed with the President and congressional Republicans that arbitrary deadlines or premature withdrawals would embolden every terrorist in every corner of the world. Setting an arbitrary date for defeat is not in the security interests of the American people. Rooting out the terrorist elements in Iraq , and helping the Iraqis stabilize their democracy, will be another blow to the threat posed by radical terrorism to the U.S. and our allies around the globe."