Reid, Pelosi reject Kennedy's calls for set withdrawal

The Washington Times ^ | February 1, 2005 | Stephen Dinan

[vivabushchick]

Congress' top two Democrats said yesterday that there should not be a set schedule for pulling troops out of Iraq, contradicting Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's call on Thursday for the United States to withdraw 12,000 troops immediately and complete a full withdrawal by early 2006. "As far as setting a timeline, as we learned in the Balkans, that's not a wise decision, because it only empowers those who don't want us there. And it doesn't work well to do that," said Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat. On Thursday, Mr. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat, gave a speech calling for an immediate withdrawal of some troops as a way of showing that the United States does not intend to be an occupying force and then called for the military to come up with a plan for complete pullout in early 2006. But House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, California Democrat, who joined Mr. Reid for a "prebuttal" to President Bush's upcoming State of the Union address, said the critical element is having a clear set of goals. "It's not about a calendar; it's about performance," Mrs. Pelosi said when asked whether she agreed with Mr. Kennedy's call. But she said the administration still hasn't laid out a clear set of performance goals so Americans can judge progress. "But if you have no plan, no road map, no standards, it's very hard to judge whether you have succeeded and whether it's time to come home," she said.

[vivabushchick]

I'd watch my back if I were her. Or at least, "No thanks Ted I'll call a cab".

[ladiesview61]

They can just go straight to HELL!!!!

[vivabushchick]

"Many of them who hope for a political future will find reasons to play ball with George W. Bush and they have reasons to tell Kennedy and Reid to shove it."

It's all a set up in a desperate act to show some distance between the Loony Leftist like Kennedy and the average everyday left Pelosi. Hillary is using the same tactic as well as Feinstein, CA. They are so transparent the name "Ghost Democrats" is appropiate.

[Blowtorch]

Jack Nicholson is the best joker, and I'm not joking.

[My2Cents]

True, but Jack doesn't have that "deer-in-the-headlights" look that corresponds with Pelosi.

[nothingnew]

Withdraw is what Joe and Ethel should have done.... A LOT!

Thanks for the visual, you evil person. heh heh heh...

FMCDH(BITS)

[Diver Dave]

Another GREAT commentary, CT. Thanks

[Common Tator]

Thank you Diver Dave... I enjoy reading your comments too.

[SAMS]

Um, that would have been Joe and Rose....Ethel was his sister.

[N. Theknow]

Um, that would have been Joe and Rose....Ethel was his sister.

Oops!

Thanks for reminding me. Of course, it was Rose.

then again....it would explain a lot where this Band of Buffoons is concerned.

And how could I forget Rose after seeing all of her birthdays on the Boston TV evening news, where the only minorities in attendance are holding microphones or serving trays.