Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama causes controversy over his
plans to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq. 

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA, UNITED STATES (JULY 3, 2008) NBC -
U.S. Presidential hopeful Barack Obama was forced to call reporters
back for a second news conference on Thursday (July 3) in Fargo, North Dakota,
after he initially left open the possibility of revising his 16-month
timetable for pulling U.S. combat forces from Iraq. 
    At an earlier news conference, the Illinois senator had said he could
"refine" his stance after he visits Iraq. 
    But at a second news conference he told reporters he would talk to the
commanders on the ground and continue to "refine" his position with
the benefit of more infornmation.
     Obama, an early opponent of the war who made his stance a centerpiece
of his Democratic presidential campaign, said he would not support a long-term
U.S. presence in Iraq but wanted to ensure any troop withdrawal was orderly
and safe. 
    After heavy criticism from his Republican presidential opponent John
McCain, Obama said he would visit Iraq and Afghanistan later this summer. It
will be his second visit to Iraq. 
    McCain, an Arizona senator, is a staunch advocate of the current U.S.
strategy in Iraq and the issue is certain to be central to their November
election battle for the White House. 
    Obama said McCain's campaign had "primed the pump" to
convince reporters he was going to change his position. McCain's campaign has
inundated reporters with e-mails suggesting Obama was prepared to shift his
stance.