Ground condition could alter Iraq policy: Obama

In an interview to CNN after clinching the Presidential nomination, Obama did not rule out the possibility that conditions on the ground could alter his policy of immediately beginning a troop withdrawal.     

Obama's likely opponent in presidential race John McCain, a Vietnam war veteran, has been constantly questioning Obama's policy, saying it would not be in best interest of the US or Iraq to withdraw troops before peace has been restored.     

McCain has also said that he plans to get most US troops home from Iraq by 2013, if elected. Confronted with his statements on withdrawal policy, Obama replied, "Well, you know, I'd never say there's 'nothing' or 'never' or 'no way' in which I'd change my mind".     

"Obviously, I'm open to the facts and to reason. And there's no doubt that we've seen significant improvements in security on the ground in Iraq. And our troops, and Gen [David] Petraeus, deserve enormous credit for that," he added.     

Sounding more cautious on the issue, the 46-year old Illinois senator said the matter will be looked upon from a "broader perspective".     

"And in terms of long-term strategy, I am absolutely convinced that the best thing we can do is to set a clear timetable, tell the Iraqis we are going to start pulling out and do it in a careful fashion," he said.