| In which AP tries to paint itself back out of the very uncomfortable corner it just painted itself into. This article deserves a fair amount of parsing and a heavy-grit sandpaper fisking. |
House Democratic leaders are intent on sidetracking bipartisan attempts to change course in Iraq at least until fall, officials said Tuesday, rather than allow nervous Republicans to vote for legislation that lacks a troop withdrawal deadline.| Also a fan to blow away all the paint fumes. I'm feeling a bit light-headed. |
| Try painting a door into the wall next to you. Always works for me. |
Several lawmakers and aides said the goal was to deny members of the GOP rank and file a chance to proclaim their independence from President Bush by voting for a limited measure - after months of backing his policy in an increasingly unpopular war.
| Then again, there have been signs that even some Dhimmicrats are figuring out that we're winning the war. Most disturbing if the Blue Dogs and the Repubs team up to force through a resolution supporting the war effort. And that's the motivation here. San Fran Nan is counting noses and getting nervous. |
Polls have long shown the war to be unpopular, and a survey released during the day by the Democracy Corps, which advises Democrats, reported that 61 percent of those polled want their lawmaker to begin requiring a reduction of troops. By contrast, the survey found that 35 percent want their representative not to undermine the president.
| And if you can't believe a poll from the 'Democracy Corps', what can you believe? |
| In a challenge to his own leadership, Abercrombie (D-HI) said, "I would hate to be in a situation where the Democratic Party was trying to explain that it wants to score political points rather than end the war." |
One strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Democrats had concluded Republicans "want to put some daylight between themselves and the president" and should not be allowed to do so "after voting in lockstep for the past four years." All officials spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss the issue publicly.
| And because the Repubs would challenge them on the floor of the House. |
One such bill requires the Pentagon to provide Congress with plans for a troop redeployment within 60 days. The measure cleared the House Armed Services last week on a bipartisan vote of 55-2.
Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawaii, one of the sponsors, said in an interview that he was hoping for a vote before Congress begins a vacation at week's end. "The one thing that would actually advance the agenda would be to get a redeployment plan," said Abercrombie, a self-described progressive who has voted for far stronger legislation, including a fixed troop withdrawal deadline.
In a challenge to his own leadership, Abercrombie said, "I would hate to be in a situation where the Democratic Party was trying to explain that it wants to score political points rather than end the war." |