WASHINGTON--President Obama's signature issue when he started his presidential quest in 2007 was his opposition to the authorization of the Iraq war. This week, Obama highlights the withdrawal of most of the U.S. troops by Dec. 31.

Obama met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki in the Oval Office at the White House on Monday; on Tuesday sits for interviews with local TV anchors about the Iraq war. And on Wednesday, Obama and the first lady travel to Ft. Bragg in North Carolina -- a key swing state -- to deliver an end-of-Iraq war speech to troops.