Obama Makes Statement About Iraq

President Barack Obama will deliver a statement on Iraq as militant Sunni extremists continue their march toward Baghdad. The response from the White House South Lawn comes amid fierce Republican criticism over the Administration’s decision to withdraw all U.S. troops from the country at the end of 2011. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has called for the entire national security team, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to resign.

The Administration has so far been hesitant to engage in the conflict despite the calls by Iraqi officials for airstrikes on extremist areas. While Republicans wish the Administration had done more to prevent the crisis, even McCain has not called for such military involvement.