Democrats may unite on plan to pull troops

Boston Globe ^ | February 20, 2006 | Rick Klein

[AZRepublican]

WASHINGTON -- After months of trying unsuccessfully to develop a common message on the war in Iraq, Democratic Party leaders are beginning to coalesce around a broad plan to begin a quick withdrawal of US troops and install them elsewhere in the region, where they could respond to emergencies in Iraq and help fight terrorism in other countries.

The concept, dubbed ''strategic redeployment," is outlined in a slim, nine-page report coauthored by a former Reagan administration assistant Defense secretary, Lawrence J. Korb, in the fall. It sets a goal of a phased troop withdrawal that would take nearly all US troops out of Iraq by the end of 2007, although many Democrats disagree on whether troop draw-downs should be tied to a timeline.

Howard Dean, Democratic National Committee chairman, has endorsed Korb's paper and begun mentioning it in meetings with local Democratic groups. In addition, the study's concepts have been touted by the senator assigned to bring Democrats together on Iraq -- Jack Reed of Rhode Island -- and the report has been circulated among all senators by Senator Dianne Feinstein, an influential moderate Democrat from California.

The party remains divided on some points, including how much detail to include in a party-produced document, fearful of giving too much fodder for attacks by Republicans.

[redgolum]

And the 06-08 Dem platform solidifies. Should be a fun election cycle.

[SoFloFreeper]

The Democrat platform.

[jdm]

It's 11.18.05 all over again?

"Murtha Urges Iraq Retreat"

[G.Mason]

I reckon no one has advised the Dims that they aren't running the war.

Sure, they can attempt to deny funding for it.

Let them try.

[Pox]

'The Iraqis want us to go," said Korb, who has opposed Bush's decision to invade Iraq from the start. ''If you're out by the end of 2007, we'll have been there almost five years. That's not cutting and running."

From the middle of said article.

[paudio]

This is the same strange plan they had last year: pull out US troops from Iraq, camp out somewhere else in the region, and in the (very likely) event of civil war, re-invade Iraq for the 2nd time.

[claudiustg]

Rule #1: The Dims never learn.

[SoFloFreeper]

Democrat's salute.

[unixfox]

Tell ya what guys, when you gain control of the house, senate, and the White House then MAYBE you will be able to achieve this lofty goal of yours.

Until then, STFU.

[SoFloFreeper]

Exactly right!

MEMO TO 'RATS:
You need to be the Commander in Chief to order the troops around. Your boy, Vietnam hack John 'effin Kerry LOST THE ELECTION. So, your party cannot order troops around.

There, the lesson in basic Constitutionalism is over. For now.

[facedown]

...Senator Dianne Feinstein, an influential moderate Democrat from California.

Tha author is obviously on drugs.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

Demorat surrender Monkeys. Murtha's plan was to deploy forces to places like Okinawa?!?

Trying to objective, this plan assumes that the presence of our forces is the problem. I DISAGREE, our forces are turning over more and more territory to Iraqi forces. If we leave too early (before Iraqi forces are prepared) it will be abandoning Iraqis that had supported us. I would opine that while the Iraqis look forward to the day the USA leaves, they don't want us to leave until the time is right.

[Diva Betsy Ross]

And when any of them get elected to be Presidnet- then it will mean something. (I guess Dems don't understand that they need to be elected by the people afore they go actin all presidential and stuff...)(*twits*)

[TheRobb7]

Defining and Defending the Terms of Our Surrender:

WE ARE the DEMOCRAT PARTY!

[DoughtyOne]

True to form, there's still nothing printed on it.

[proxy_user]

I believe that what the article means to say, is that this will be their presidential platform for the 2008 election.

They are certainly entitled to run on this platform, although it will render their chances of winning nugatory.

[proxy_user]

See post #18 above.

[Rider on the Rain]

Well, Ms. Feinstein just may be a moderate Democrat, even though she plays so far out in left field, Barry Bonds couldn't hit one over her. That just shows how insane and cowardly the rest of the democrats are.