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Home Front: Politix
Key Democrats unite for troop pullout
2006-08-01
Key Democratic leaders in the House and Senate have united to call on President Bush to begin pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq by the end of the year, citing an overtaxed military, billions of dollars spent and ongoing sectarian violence. In a letter to Bush released Monday, the Democrats backed a plan for the "phased redeployment" of troops. "U.S. forces in Iraq should transition to a more limited mission focused on counterterrorism, training and logistical support of Iraqi security forces and force protection of U.S. personnel," the Democrats wrote.

Bush has consistently said there will be no such pullout until the fledgling Iraqi government can secure its position and Iraq's security forces can defend the country. Republicans said the letter amounted to Democratic leadership surrendering to terrorists. "The Democratic leadership continues to demand that American soldiers end their mission and wave the white flag of surrender to the terrorists that we are fighting in Iraq," Ron Bonjean, a spokesman for House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., said in a statement.

Ken Mehlman, chairman of the Republican National Committee, issued a similar statement. "Waving a white flag in Iraq may appeal to the nut net roots," Mehlman wrote, referring to Internet activists, "but it will embolden the enemy, encourage more terrorism and make America less secure."

Democrats had previously advocated reducing reduce troops levels in Iraq, but were split on the precise approach. During a recent floor debate in the Senate, Democratic Sens. John Kerry of Massachusetts and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin proposed legislation that would require troops to be out of Iraq by July 2007. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and other Democrats backed a measure that called for a phased redeployment to begin by Dec. 31, but did not set a deadline for all troops to be home.

The recent letter, dated July 30, is significant because - signed by every top Democrat on committees with oversight of military, intelligence and international affairs - it solidifies the Democrats' position and presents a unified front as members head into election season. The letter also was signed by Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, his House counterpart.
I think we should have several roll call votes on this excellent suggestion....oh, that's right, we did.
I'm betting Mr. Rove would like at least one more in early October ...
Posted by:Fred

#22  Mother told me, yes, she told me I'd meet Democrats like you.
She also told me, "Stay away, you'll never know what you'll catch."
Just the other day I heard a Senator falling off
some Vietnam junk that's going round.

Pelosi's alright, Kerry's alright, they just seem a little weird.
Surrender, surrender, but don't give yourself away, ay, ay, ay.

Old Reid says, "Murtha's right, he's really up on things."
"Before we met, Murtha served many years in the U.S. Marines."
Now, I had heard the Marines recruited heroes for the war.
But Murtha isn't one of those, I've known him all these years.

Pelosi's alright, Kerry's alright, they just seem a little weird.
Surrender, surrender, but don't give yourself away, ay, ay, ay.

Whatever happened to all this season's losers of the year?
Ev'ry time I got to thinking, where'd they disappear?
When I woke up, the Democrats were rolling on the couch.
Rolling numbers, rock and rolling, got their old Stones records out.

Pelosi's alright, Kerryy's alright, they just seem a little weird.
Surrender, surrender, but don't give yourself away, ay, ay, ay.

Away.
Away.
Posted by: Pappy   2006-08-01 23:43  

#21  Dave D...there goes the McKinney/Waters vote!
Posted by: Inspector Clueso   2006-08-01 23:43  

#20  "Disingenuous sluts!"

You've just insulted every crack whore in the country...

Posted by: Dave D.   2006-08-01 17:13  

#19  "...it solidifies the Democrats' position and presents a unified front as members head into election season."

There's your money-shot right there folks. Ironically, the Democrats have an opportunity not only to do the right thing but also have a chance to sway swing voters. Predictably, their craven lust for headlines prevents them from saying “We stand shoulder to shoulder with the President because War is not a partisan issue.” Yet in their minds, this is the classic “no-lose” stunt. If troop levels remain constant they simply continue with the ole “It’s the President’s War” BS. If there is a reduction in troops they can attempt to claim responsibility. Disingenuous sluts!
Posted by: DepotGuy   2006-08-01 16:42  

#18  Although an official "babyboomer" (born in 1948), I can't help but think how much better the prospects for this country will be once my generation finally dies off. The performance of America's young, at least the ones in the military, give hope that in spite of our best efforts to dumb them down, a few understand what America is about and will keep her strong and free.

Disclaimer : I don't endorse this book... since I haven't read it (of course!), but this sure looks interesting as far as this thesis goes.
Has anyone read it and is willing to give his impression on its content???
Posted by: anonymous5089   2006-08-01 15:15  

#17  class of '59 here, and no assertions of sanity....
Posted by: Frank G   2006-08-01 15:09  

#16  RWV, I'm with you ("class" of '49) as is my wife. There are a number of us in the generation that are sane, but a depressingly large number that are true LLLoons.
Posted by: AlanC   2006-08-01 14:38  

#15  Unless we quit, we will win in spite of the democrats, the EU, the UN, commie countries everywhere, and the cowards among us.
While we're at it, I pray we have the sense to except unconditional surrender only.
Posted by: wxjames   2006-08-01 13:37  

#14  John Kerry, whose main problem in life is whether conditions will be good for windsurfing off Cape Cod, can't wait to surrender. Twenty-year old Marines with multiple gunshot wounds can't wait to get back to their units. We are going to win this thing despite him.
Posted by: Matt   2006-08-01 12:10  

#13  Lots and lots of you are on the side of the angels, too, RWV.
Posted by: trailing wife   2006-08-01 11:49  

#12  Although an official "babyboomer" (born in 1948), I can't help but think how much better the prospects for this country will be once my generation finally dies off. The performance of America's young, at least the ones in the military, give hope that in spite of our best efforts to dumb them down, a few understand what America is about and will keep her strong and free.
Posted by: RWV   2006-08-01 10:12  

#11  I say we have a meeting of all these nutjobs in a rousing public forum. Featuring left-wing music, speakers, celebraties and all those sorts with the polititians. Call it, "We are back in '06 by surrendering" or something.

Then call in a MOAB strike on the position.
Posted by: DarthVader   2006-08-01 09:22  

#10  Way to go, Dems! Great way to signal the enemy that we're losing our nerve, and all he has to do is just wait us out.

Fucking idiots...

Posted by: Dave D   2006-08-01 09:13  

#9  The flip side of e e cummings - 9.85
Posted by: 6   2006-08-01 08:36  

#8   LIFE ISN'T WORTH LIVING IFF YOUR GULAG DOESN'T HAVE TUPPERWARE + MARTHA STEWART.

We need this on an official Rantburg bumper sticker.

Joe in '08!
Posted by: CrazyFool   2006-08-01 08:24  

#7  The "cut and run" strategy. Bound to be popular in California, Massachusetts, and Vermont. Not to sure about the US however.
Posted by: Besoeker   2006-08-01 07:38  

#6  Fred, you left out the spin - There are currently about 130,000 troops in Iraq. Boosting the troops by such a substantial number (the troops moving into Baghdad, not necessarily being added to the total) dashes Bush administration hopes of dropping the figure by tens of thousands by the fall congressional campaign. So even when W tries to get with the Dems program, he's somehow pandering to the voters. Bad Bush!

With a bit of luck, we can do both - move 10,000 to Baghdad and bring 30,000 home by Christmas.
Posted by: Bobby   2006-08-01 06:26  

#5  LIFE ISN'T WORTH LIVING IFF YOUR GULAG DOESN'T HAVE TUPPERWARE + MARTHA STEWART.

9.75 Joe!
Posted by: RD   2006-08-01 01:11  

#4  Motherly Islamo-Communism will save the ME + ME democracy from Fascist Male Brute Israel. GO MOM, iff you want flowers and love with your local gulags, work camps, and death camps. Hollywierd wants to see hugs, kisses, and trendy expensive Armani fashions when you happily report to your local labor-death chambers. GOOD CLINTONIAN AMERIKANS DEMAND TO BE EXECUTED AND EXTERMINATED WITH THE BEST, MOST EXPENSIVE THINGYS AROUND, D *** IT. LIFE ISN'T WORTH LIVING IFF YOUR GULAG DOESN'T HAVE TUPPERWARE + MARTHA STEWART.
Posted by: JosephMendiola   2006-08-01 01:05  

#3  I'm beginning to think that Carl Rove doesn't do anything. He just takes credit for it whenever the Donks step on their dicks.
Posted by: gorb   2006-08-01 00:52  

#2  Isn't JF'nK and Opie surrending in the photo, or are they doing a French pose?
Posted by: Captain America   2006-08-01 00:36  

#1  New '06 Democratic Campaign theme song - Surrender by Cheap Trick.
Posted by: DMFD   2006-08-01 00:10  

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