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Obama for America

"Ending the War in Iraq: A Promise Kept" +
  2:49 web video from Dec. 15, 2011.

[Music]

TEXT: ENDING THE WAR IN IRAQ: A PROMISE KEPT

Obama (Nov. 2004): I've looked at the evidence.  I'm a hawk when it comes to defeating terrorism.  I was strongly in support of Afghanistan.  I would have picked up arms myself to prevent 9-11 again.  I don't think the President's made the case on Iraq because I don't see...
Charlie Rose: You said this before?
Obama: I said this in October of 20..., I said this in October of 2002, six months before the war was launched.
Charlie Rose: If you had been a member of the Senate, you would have voted against the resolution?
Obama: Yes.

Obama (Oct. 2007): I was convinced that a war would distract us from Afghanistan and Al Qaeda and fan the flames of extremism and terrorism.

Obama (March 2008): So when I am commander-in-chief, I will set a new goal on day one.  I will end this war.

Obama (Aug. 2010): Operation Iraqi Freedom is over, and the Iraqi people now have lead responsibility for the security of their country.

Obama (Dec. 2011): In the coming days, the last American soldiers will cross the border out of Iraq with honor and with their heads held high.  After nearly nine years, our war in Iraq ends this month.

Obama (Dec. 2011): Over the last three years nearly 150,000 U.S. troops have left Iraq and over the next few days a small group of American soldiers will begin the final march out of that country.  Iraq's future will be in the hands of its people.  America's war in Iraq will be over.  Troops: Hooah!

There was one constant.  Your patriotism, your commitment to fulfill your mission, your abiding commitment to one another.  That was constant.  That did not change.  That did not waver.

So today we pause to say a prayer for all those families who lost their loved ones, for they are part of our broader American family.  We grieve with them.

The war in Iraq will soon belong to history.  Your service belongs to the ages.  I could not be prouder of you and America could not be prouder of you.

So as your commander in chief, and on behalf of a grateful nation I'm proud to finally say these two words, and I know your families agree.  Welcome home.  Troops: Hooah! 

Welcome home.

Notes: This video has a series of clips of Senator, candidate and President Obama speaking about the war in Iraq starting with a Nov. 2004 interview with Charlie Rose and concluding with his Dec. 14, 2011 speech to troops at Fort Bragg.  In the latter part of the video are many scenes of soldiers in Iraq, as well as Obama with soldiers.