Dem leaders pressured to alter war strategy

Politico ^ | Dec 21, 2007 | John Bresnahan and Martin Kady II

[vietvet67]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, despite their pledges to continue pushing to end the war in Iraq, face growing pressure from their rank-and-file Democrats to focus more attention on domestic, “pocketbook” issues in the upcoming election year.

Junior Democrats describe an “Iraq fatigue” setting in among some members after dozens of successful withdrawal votes failed to drive a wedge between Republicans and President Bush on the war strategy.

The restless Democrats acknowledge the war issue remains critically important for the country, but they would like to see their leaders tone down the rhetoric and avoid showdowns with Bush over the war, wherever possible.

Still, heading into 2008, Democrats have not articulated as clear a game plan on how to handle the political debate on the war as they had heading into 2007.

"My hope would be we start looking at real solutions instead of the dichotomy of cut funding versus stay forever," said Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), who had a change of heart this fall after visiting Iraq and realizing the military surge was working.

"The entire policy has been dictated by the 'Out of Iraq Caucus' ... What are we going to do, have another 40 withdrawal votes?"

Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.

But the California Democrat also said that the economy and health care are rising concerns among voters and that she wanted to dramatically increase federal funding for scientific research.

Pressed on her legislative plans for 2008, though, Pelosi reiterated that ending the war is her ultimate goal, promising more oversight hearings on Iraq and the broader Middle East.

[bert]

now that the war is no longer a viable avenue of attack a new one is needed. i would like to suggest tax increases as the new issue to promote. raising taxes should garner lots of support.

[jrooney]

All the surrender monkeys are going to be very, very upset.

[JAKraig]

“The entire policy has been dictated by the ‘Out of Iraq Caucus’ ... What are we going to do, have another 40 withdrawal votes?”

Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.

_________________________________________________________

All Pelosi really wanted was force the President to lose the war.

[JAKraig]

“The entire policy has been dictated by the ‘Out of Iraq Caucus’ ... What are we going to do, have another 40 withdrawal votes?”

Pelosi told reporters Wednesday that her top priority is still ending the war, although she allowed her own disappointment in being unable to force the president to change his Iraq policy.

_________________________________________________________

All Pelosi really wanted was force the President to lose the war.

[Thrownatbirth]

Junior Democrats describe an “Iraq fatigue” setting in among some members

Those prima-donna c****uckers wouldn't know fatigue if it bit them in the ass.

[avacado]

"...they would like to see their leaders tone down the rhetoric and avoid showdowns with Bush over the war, wherever possible... What are we going to do, have another 40 withdrawal votes?"

I guess it took their collective noses to be bloodied 40 times before some sense creept in.

[gov_bean_ counter]

So glad the AMT is gone. One year for high earners to adjust their habits is all it takes to send an economy into a tumble. Just in time for the election.

Coinkidink? I think not.

[taxcontrol]

Hmmm, possible flip position here with the Republicans??? Perhaps they could force confrontation by submitting laws / resolutions in the house that SUPPORT the WOT?

Force the Dems into stating their positions again and again and again. Hmmmm, I wonder.

[Wil H]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, despite their pledges to continue pushing to end the war in Iraq, face growing pressure from their rank-and-file Democrats to focus more attention on domestic, “pocketbook” issues in the upcoming election year.

TRANSLATION

We couldn't F@ck up the war and give Bush the blame so we'll try to F@ck up the economy instead..

[Teacher317]

I wonder... if the GOP wins the White House next year, who will the Lefties be blaming for all the world’s ills?

[street_lawyer]

So the leftists are no longer saying things like: The war--an unprovoked, unnecessary and unlawful invasion that has turned into a colonial-style occupation-- The war has also become the single greatest threat to our national security.  Then there are the "useful idiots" who write to their local newspapers with comments like this one: Bush's approval rating is 20 to 30 percent. Cheney's is 11 percent. Seventy-five percent of Americans want the killing of Americans in Iraq for the rich in this civil war, stopped. Notice the comment about how the Iraq was is for the rich and the poor have to fight it? This is the ignorant mentality of people who have listened to the news broadcasts of the media and watched Schumer and the other panderers expound on how "this administration", not referring to Congress, has mismanaged, and lied about Iraq. The result of media bias is almost completely responsible for the attitudes of most of the average citizens who thoughtlessly adopt the positions of anti-democracy, anti-capitalist propagandists. Disapproval of congressional Democrats runs nearly as high as disapproval of congressional Republicans, but those surveyed said they'd back a generic Democrat running for Congress over a Republican. The media has always been the "X" factor in molding public opinion, but when war was for the survival of Europe, how eager was the American and International press to tout war bonds and show GI's as heroes?
 

 

[in hoc signo vinces]

The surrender monkeys are surrrendering...

[y6162]

Zsa Zsa Huffington and her unpaid bloggers are very upset.

I think she’s going to hold her breath until we withdraw from Iraq.

[DPMD]

“Iraq fatigue” defined:

We are tired, tired, tired of seeing positive news coming out of Iraq.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

I posted this outstanding editorial ( heavy sarcasm ...):

Sad end to anti-war effort ( well...its an editorial from the Berkshires...just gives me tears )

***************the highlight sentence*********************

While the persistent effort of American troops has contributed to a decline in violence, the death toll has dropped primarily because there are fewer Iraqis left to kill.