Who has been to Iraq?
We surveyed the 16 candidates to find out which ones have visited Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003. As of December 2007, nine have. Here are our findings along with a brief synopsis of each candidate's position on the war, taken from their Web sites.
DEMOCRATS
Joe Biden
Position on Iraq: “Bring our troops home without leaving chaos behind.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Hillary Clinton
Position on Iraq: “It is time to begin ending this war.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Chris Dodd
Position on Iraq: “Should begin safely redeploying U.S. combat troops out of Iraq.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
John Edwards
Position on Iraq: Supports the immediate withdrawal of 40,000-50,000 troops.
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
Mike Gravel
Position on Iraq: “Advocates an immediate and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. troops.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
Dennis Kucinich
Position on Iraq: “End the occupation, close military bases and withdraw.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
Barack Obama
Position on Iraq: Seeks immediate phased withdrawal of troops.
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Bill Richardson
Position on Iraq: “End it.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
REPUBLICANS
Rudy Giuliani
Position on Iraq: “Timetable for withdrawal from Iraq now would be a terrible mistake.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
Mike Huckabee
Position on Iraq: “Withdrawal would have serious strategic consequences.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Duncan Hunter
Position on Iraq: “I believe in peace through strength.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
John McCain
Position on Iraq: “More troops are necessary.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Ron Paul
Position on Iraq: “The war in Iraq was sold to us with false information.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No
Mitt Romney
Position on Iraq: Defends troop buildup, warns against quick withdrawal.
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Tom Tancredo
Position on Iraq: Remain in the region, but we need to disengage as the main police force.
Visit to Iraq since ’03? Yes
Fred Thompson
Position on Iraq: “We have a real chance of winning.”
Visit to Iraq since ’03? No.
Source: Times research, campaigns, campaign Web sites
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