Posted on 11/12/2006 7:40:13 AM PST by shrinkermd
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats, who won majorities in the U.S. Congress in last week's elections, said on Sunday they will push for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq to begin in four to six months.
"The first order of business is to change the direction of Iraq policy," said Sen. Carl Levin (news, bio, voting record), a Michigan Democrat who is expected to be chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee in the new Congress.
Levin, on ABC's "This Week," said he hoped some Republicans would emerge to join Democrats and press the administration of President George W. Bush to tell the Iraqi government that U.S. presence was "not open-ended."
Bush has insisted that U.S. troops would not leave Iraq until the Iraqis were able to take over security for their country.
"We need to begin a phased redeployment of forces from Iraq in four to six months," Levin said.
Speaking on the same program, Sen. Joseph Biden (news, bio, voting record), a Delaware Democrat who is expected to head the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he supported Levin's proposal for a withdrawal.
"Let's see if they actually have the will and the votes to do it."
My thoughts exactly. This win by the dems wasn't exactly a super majority. They aren't in a position like they were in the 60's to dismiss the GOP completely.
Oh, pass the popcorn cause this is going to get interesting.
The first of many to come.
Just ducky, we try and help out a nation by deposing it's dictator and what do they get for their trouble, only to be conquered by another nation. If this is the thanks they'll ultimately get, then we should have just left Hussien in place and let him duke it out with the Iranians.
The Dems will make the Middle East even more explosive than it is now. Thank you America for making the world UN-SAFER!
Ditto...
BTW....Is there a word "Un-safer"?
I'm the only one who is allowed to makeup words around here! /s
"We need bases in the ME"
Balad was intended to be an "enduring base", 1/2 Air Force, 1/2 Army. I won't go into all the details (you can Google for them) but it was a huge operation which was being massively upgraded when I was there last year.
I can't imagine abandoning it or turning it over to the Iraqis.
The Iraqi military currently stands at over a quarter million. The government is in place. At the very least our forces could start a withdrawal to bases away from the cities, provide the Iraqi security forces air strikes and intel as needed, maybe even special ops for a raid here and there but quit being targets. Our leadership must do a better job of defining what it means to win. Then demonstrably work toward that end. Then get out and let the chips fall where they may.
Good! That's the one thing we HAVE to get out of the Iraq war : A permanent , reliable base in the ME.
I agree with you.
However the rats will sacrifice all the efforts our troops made for their selfish greed.
They simply do not care about anything but themselves.
I just wish the American people would wake up.
They Dems have two years and the majority of American voters in their corner. They control the money. This war is hugely unpopular. I support it, but even among my very conservative friends it has less than 50-50 support. I know no women other than I and some female Freepers who support it.
The Cold War was different. Most people supported the concept of building up militarily to deter aggression. We had a President who was willing and able to go over the heads of Congress and articulately make the case to the people. Americans weren't coming home every day maimed or in body bags.
No, I'm afraid this one's going to end like Vietnam. And the coming debacle is on the head of everyone who voted Dem.
There's a big difference between Iraq and Vietnam. The terrorists will follow us home, and their own death - to them - is just as much a victory as when they kill us. It's a pro-death movement. The more dead the better.
The stupid democrats don't care how many Americans die. Humans are just a plague on their goddess mother earth anyway.
I voted Republican. I chose life.
"Flame away, but this needs to be done"
No flames here. You are correct.
"Let the chips fall where they may"
Would you have left Europe in December 1945 because it was difficult and let the chips fall???????????????
Would you have left the Pacific in February 1945 after Iwo Jima because it was difficult and let the chips fall??????????????????????????????
DON'T fall for it!
The Cut and Run Party declare that is NOT what they will do, and they'll cut and run to prove it!
Earthdweller's above response seems reasonable. Wouldn't you Doe, agree?
So, that means that by March or April I should liquidate all of my assets except the house and cars which are paid for.
Riiiight, Reuters is making it up.
Slamming the media is really a tired refrain.
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