Amid questions, Obama restates commitment to 16-month Iraq exit

Democrat Barack Obama said today that he continues to be committed to withdrawing U.S. combat troops from Iraq in 16 months, after his earlier comments raised questions about whether he was softening his position.

“Here is what I can tell you,” Obama said in a second news conference on Iraq. “I will bring our troops out one to two brigades a month. That’s what I intend to do as president of the United States.”

Earlier, Obama had emphasized that he might revise his proposed timetable for pulling U.S. combat troops from Iraq, saying he needed to consult with U.S. commanders and do a “thorough assessment of the situation.”

The comments at the first news conference here seemed to be a shift in focus by Obama, a staunch opponent of the Iraq war. At both news conferences, Obama maintained that he had not changed his position.

In the past, Obama has stressed his plan to begin a withdrawal immediately and complete it within 16 months, although he also has carefully hedged, leaving the option of taking more time – and leaving more troops – if events require.

At his first news conference, Obama did not explicitly say he would stick to the 16-month timetable, which appeared to depart from a statement on his website pledging that he will “have all of our combat brigades out of Iraq within 16 months.”

At both news conferences, Obama was asked whether he now advocates a slower timetable, but he insisted that his position hasn’t changed.

“I’ve always said that I would listen to commanders on the ground,” Obama said at the first news conference. “I’ve always said the pace of withdrawal would be dictated by the safety and security of our troops and the need to maintain stability. That assessment has not changed.”

He added that his timeline was always contingent on keeping the troops safe.

“I said that based on the information that we had received from our commanders that one to two brigades a month could be pulled out safely from a logistical perspective,” he said. “And my guiding approach continues to be that our troops are safe and that Iraq is stable.”

Still, the Republican National Committee quickly seized on his early comments as evidence of flip-flopping.

“There appears to be no issue that Barack Obama is not willing to reverse himself on for the sake of political expedience,” spokesman Alex Conant said. “Obama’s Iraq problem undermines the central premise of his candidacy and shows him to be a typical politician.”

At his second news conference, Obama blamed Republican John McCain’s campaign for suggesting “we were changing our policy when we haven’t.”

Obama traveled to North Dakota, where he called for improvements in helping military veterans during a town hall campaign stop, the latest in a week where he is stressing traditional American values. He has already discussed patriotism, federal funds for faith-based groups and the stepping up of national service, both military and civilian.

Likely Republican presidential candidate McCain wrapped up three days abroad with a visit with Mexico’s president today. In his visit to Colombia and Mexico, McCain has focused on free-trade issues, fighting drug-related crime and immigration reform.

McCain met with President Felipe Calderon and said afterward that he “discussed the issues affecting the relations between our friends and neighbors to the south of our country.”

The Arizona senator told reporters before a luncheon with Mexican and American businessmen that the session was “very informative,” but gave no immediate details.

He did take the opportunity to jab Obama on free-trade issues, one of the areas where they sharply disagree. McCain has pushed for free trade, including a pact with Colombia pending in Congress. Obama has questioned the existing pacts.

“I am disappointed at the suggestion that the United States should unilaterally reopen NAFTA,” McCain said. “If there are issues that exist between our countries – whether it be the United States, Canada and Mexico, or other nations with whom we have engaged and ratified treaties – the best way to do that is not in a unilateral fashion, but mutual respect of sovereignty of our respective nations.”

In Mexico, McCain was also expected to discuss immigration, a tough subject for him.

McCain has been a force in the Senate for legislation that would create a path to citizenship for the more than 12 million illegal workers in the United States. But in a nod to the more conservative elements of his party, McCain as a candidate has coupled that position with a call for more border security.

This morning, McCain toured the Basilica de Guadalupe, Mexico’s holiest Roman Catholic site and in a surprise, was accompanied by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, brother of President Bush.

The Basilica de Guadalupe is a recognizable symbol to many Latinos in the United States. Latinos are considered a swing voting bloc in the November elections, and are being courted by McCain and Obama.

“I think he’s going to win,” Bush told reporters. “He just needs to be himself and not let Sen. Obama redefine himself.”

Both likely presidential nominees will celebrate the Fourth of July in traditional fashion. Obama will be in Montana for what is being billed as a holiday picnic with the family. McCain will celebrate at home in Arizona with his family.

 michael.muskal@latimes.com

 peter.nicholas@latimes.com

Muskal reported from Los Angeles; Nicholas reported from North Dakota.