Posted on 08/24/2006 4:45:21 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Rep. Shays Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Time Frame
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Christopher Shays, who is locked in a tough re-election fight against an anti-war challenger, says the U.S. should consider setting a timeline for troop withdrawals from Iraq.
``Our troops cannot be there indefinitely,'' Shays, R-Conn., said Thursday from London during a telephone conference call with reporters after visiting Iraq for the 14th time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. ``We need to have a sense of when our troops can withdraw.''
Shays, who has previously opposed timetables for drawing down troops, said he hopes to offer a specific time frame after he holds congressional hearings on Iraq next month.
``We should be able to tell the American people what kind of timeline we can have to begin to draw down our troops,'' he said. ``It may be a timeline the American people don't want to hear. It may not be something that brings them out quickly.''
Shays has come under fire for his support of the Iraq war from Democratic challenger Diane Farrell in a race widely seen as a showdown on the war.
Farrell, former Westport First Selectman, took sharp aim at her opponent.
``I don't think Chris needed to go to Iraq 14 times to know it's a mess,'' she said. ``To have a time line, there needs to be an exit plan. There's no exit strategy.''
Farrell, who opposes troop pullback timetables proposed by some in her party, has called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation in favor of a successor who can develop an Iraq exit plan that Congress supports.
``Congress ought to demand an exit plan,'' she said.
The race, one of the most closely watched in the nation, is a rematch of the close contest Farrell lost two years ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at wcbs880.com ...
Shays can go find a knothole and entertain himself. He's more useful that way than flapping his gums.
What happened to all the conservatives? They're apparently not in the Republican party any longer.
Did he put his hand on his hip AND lisp when he called for Rummie's head?
The recent buildup in US forces in Baghdad have apparently had a calming effect in the region. Putting a timetable on withdrawal is seriously poor strategic planning. The US should leave Iraq when the Gov't feels they have a peaceful country and can safely ask the US to withdraw and pack them a lunch for their trip home.
Shays was never a conservative, and he's a marginal Republican. His sole value is calling himself a Republican so we have a vote for speaker and get the committee chairs. Otherwise, he is useless, and in some cases, harmful.
I'd say he has become VERY harmful with these idiotic statements. He's disgusting.
Maybe Chris should demand a timetable for Iran to withdraw from Iraq?
Keep Hope Alive Tour.
McCain's sock puppet.
Who needs a terrorist when wen have people like Shays in our own party??
Is he losing? I didn't know that. Well, let him lose. I have no sympathy for him; besides always stabbing us in the back he is a whiner.
One of the worst Republicans in the House.
They would all eat crap if thats what it took to get elected.
Chris just took a large mouthful.
We in the real world dont have any inkling of the perks these guys enjoy.
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