Unfortunately, I don't think the government will give up all their bases in Iraq. Unlike Japan and Germany after WWII and South Korea, these people are not willing to work together to build a nation. Half of them don't want us there and they will not stop killing our troops or each other. The current government is weak and corrupt, but that appears to be the only alternative to religious fanatics. The Pentagon and Department of Defense have major input in the decision making of this administration. I don't think it will make any difference who is elected in November. Clinton and Obama are not privy to all the information now, but once either of them get into office, I think the course would remain the same because we are committed and withdrawal would be a disaster. The only thing we can hope for is whomever is elected will come down hard on the Iraqi government and force them to compromise to stop the bloodshed and do what the Iraqi people elected them to do. No government, including our own, looks out for the people. It's all about hanging onto power.

The first question is how do we substain these bases. The military is depleted. The budget is over extended. There is no political solution of the Iraq War in sight.
Are we to have a military draft?
Should we have a War Tax?
If the next president wishes to stay in Iraq it will be a one term presidency.
The second question is how to gain a political solution.
How does the US achive this? Not on our own. There has to be a regional solution with the neighboring countries whether we like them or not.
If one of The United States neigbors were being occupied, military bases and all, by a Middle Eastern county. What do you think our goverments/ peoples actions would be? How would you feel about compromise? When would we stop fighting?
It's in the best interest of Iraq's neigbors not to let this war spread. They need to come to the table to stablize the country.