Posted on 06/16/2006 8:28:07 AM PDT by slowhand520
House Rejects Timetable for Iraq Pullout
Jun 16 11:23 AM US/Eastern
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON
The House on Friday rejected a timetable for pulling U.S. forces out of Iraq, culminating a fiercely partisan debate between Republicans and Democrats feeling the public's apprehension about war and the onrushing midterm campaign season.
In a 256-153 vote, the GOP-led House approved a nonbinding resolution that praises U.S. troops, labels the Iraq war part of the larger global fight against terrorism and says an "arbitrary date for the withdrawal or redeployment" of troops is not in the national interest.
"Retreat is not an option in Iraq," declared House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio. "Achieving victory is our only option, for the American people and our kids."
"Stay the course, I don't think so Mr. President. It's time to face the facts," House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi of California answered, as she called for a new direction in the conflict. "The war in Iraq has been a mistake. I say, a grotesque mistake."
Four months before midterm elections that will decide control of Congress, House Republicans sought to force Republicans and Democrats alike to take a position on the conflict that began with the U.S. invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in the spring of 2003.
Democrats denounced the debate and vote as a politically motivated charade, and several prominent Democrats joined Pelosi in saying they would vote against the measure because, they said, supporting it would affirm Bush's "failed policy" in Iraq.
Be interesting to see who the three repubs were.
I just checked out KOS for the first time, it actually makes less sense than DU, and may be even more childish.
All 435 members of the House are up for re-election. Happens every two years.
Never did consider Paul totally sane. A pox on the other two. Bah!
Libertarian-dressed-up-as-Republican Ron Paul was one. How a doofus who thinks the War on Terror should be fought with bounty hunters keeps getting re-elected in Texas is beyond me.
Pelosi and the rest of the RATS would rather see Iraq destroyed than see the US succeed while Bush is president. They have more in common with Nero burning Rome and Hitler ordering the scorched earth policy to destroy Germany when he saw he was doomed. They would not tell a burglar what time they plan to leave their house in the morning, yet they are willing to tell the terrorists when we plan to leave Iraq unprotected.
But never try to teach a pig to sing, you'll get noowhere and it just annoys the pig. (old saying)
Kinda like explaining the facts of the issues to libs.
Why do you think they did this? I support the ideas put forth, but there really was no need for this other than to get something to use in election commercials... I'd rather they spent their time doing something to solve the problems of the country instead of doing something that has no effect just to help themselves get reelected.
Thanks for posting that.
That is something no member of the US "news" media would sign.
That is something no member of the US Academia would sign.
Moveon.org and other ultra liberal anti-war groups might encourage and finance more green party or independent liberals to run in these 42 districts. If the dem/liberal vote is split the Repubs should benefit greatly.
Good description of what the MSM does 24 hours a day.
Observing Congress for many years, the summertime is theatre time. Watergate, Irangate were done by 'rat Congress in the summer. Republicans appear to be doing the same. Nothing more of substance will come out of Congress until after November, including immigration.
Even though I disagree with him on the war, Ron Paul is by far the best when it comes to domestic policy. JimRob allows Paul's Republican Liberty Caucus to host their forum here on FR and he is amongst the favorite politicians of freepers in general.
There is nothing more important than the War on Terror, and Paul is on the other side.
Well, one of them should have been Tom DeLay's old seat -- I think they list unfilled seats as not voting, so the total adds to 435.
Are there any other empty seats right now?
I bet the others weren't in town for the vote. I doubt they were there and didn't vote.
I don't know about the other republicans who voted no, but Paul has always opposed the war, and wants us out.
But will you see a headline that says, "DEMOCRATS UNDERMINE EFFORTS OF U.S. TROOPS - Dems Lament Troop Deaths While Causing More!"?
That is your opinion. For me personally, the 2nd Amendment, limited government, and returning to constitutional governance are more important than the WOT. Folks like me disagree with President Bush on these things, but realized he is a good commander-in-cheif so we voted for him. Likewise the folks down in Galveston make a similar comprimise and realize that while Paul is lousy on the WOT, he can't be beat on domestic issues. Can you name an issue other than foreign policy with which you personally disagree with Paul on?
There we have it folks. Republicans and 42 Democrats have officially passed a resolution declaring Iraq a part of the WOT. It's not longer the President declaring it so, representatives of the majority of America have declared it as well.
I thought the Senate's 92-6 vote was for IMMEDIATE withdrawal. The House vote was for a timetable. There's a difference.
Doesnt pardon anyone for voting for either measure, immediate or gradual, but there is a difference in extremism.
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