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Senate Dems Step Up on Iraq

This is the Harry Reid I admired:

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today joined Assistant Democratic Leader Dick Durbin, Democratic Conference Vice Chairman Charles Schumer, Democratic Conference Secretary Patty Murray, Senator Russ Feingold, and Senator Evan Bayh to announce a new Joint Resolution to revise U.S. policy on Iraq. Iraq has fallen into a bloody civil war, and as conditions on the ground have changed so must U.S. policy change to meet them.

The Reid Joint Resolution builds on the longstanding Democratic position on Iraq and the Levin-Reed Amendment: the current conflict in Iraq requires a political solution, Iraq must take responsibility for its own future, and our troops should not be policing a civil war. It contains binding language to direct the President to transition the mission for U.S. forces in Iraq and begin their phased redeployment within one-hundred twenty days with a goal of redeploying all combat forces by March 31, 2008.

. . . "Last November, the American people made a clear call for a new direction, and Democrats are committed to bringing stability to Iraq and bringing our troops home from a civil war."

Let's have no illusions - this has no chance of overcoming a GOP filibuster. But that does not matter. Because Dems are laying down markers - dates certain for when the troops must be out of harm's way. The Spending Power, or NOT Spending Power, as I will now refer to it, will be the key.

This is a start of a long political road. But at least it is in the right direction.

< Ending the Debacle In Iraq: What Was The 2006 Election About? | Rep. Waxman to Hold PlameGate Hearing >
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  • Display: Sort:
    It is about bleedin' time. (5.00 / 3) (#1)
    by Noor on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 02:48:46 PM EST
    And even Petraeus is saying that Iraq needs a political solution.  Read this article:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6429519.stm for more.

    The longest journey begins with but a single step....

    That journey began a long time ago (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:30:12 PM EST
    but as usual Bush/Cheney have only been able to focus on their own PR problems, instead of real problem solving.

    January 7, 2007
    Talks with radicals called key to ending violence:

    "The U.S. administration's problem is that it has been negotiating with (Iraqi) politicians and parties that have no public support, so they are unable to help the United States withdraw from Iraq," said a former brigadier general in Saddam Hussein's army who said he is "close" to the Sunni-led insurgency and asked that his name be withheld for security reasons.
    ...
    In recent months, several Sunni and secular groups have tried to cobble together a coalition with al-Sadr's followers to oust the al-Maliki government and force an American pullout. This attempt has received prominent coverage in Iraqi, pan-Arab and Iranian media, and its main organizer, Saleh al-Mutlak, said U.S. diplomats are trying to block it.

    "The American officials have been doing everything they can to stop us because they know that would start the end of the occupation," said al-Mutlak, who is leader of the National Dialogue Front, a secular coalition that holds 11 of the 275 seats in parliament.



    Parent
    This is John Edwards' proposal too! (5.00 / 2) (#4)
    by annefrank on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:09:13 PM EST


    "dates certain" (5.00 / 1) (#5)
    by Andreas on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:17:07 PM EST
    What is clear from that statement is that the Democratic Party will support the criminal war for at least another year.

    Thats what it sounds like to me..... (5.00 / 1) (#12)
    by kdog on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 06:29:10 PM EST
    proposals?  Please...try to impeach or get off the pot.

    Parent
    Every House & Senate Dem (5.00 / 2) (#10)
    by mentaldebris on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 04:17:38 PM EST
    needs these words

    . . . "Last November, the American people made a clear call for a new direction, and Democrats are committed to bringing stability to Iraq and bringing our troops home from a civil war."

    tattooed on their eyelids. More importantly, they need to show action like this.

    It doesn't matter if the repubs block it (bring it on, clueless lapdogs of your tanking dictator wannabe) it just matters that the public sees the Dems are trying. It's a start.

    It would be nice if our representatives were forced to take a public stand on the issue -- with the troops, or with the president. I think it's vital the voters have that info.

    This fact is war can't be won (it never could - Bush 1 was smart enough to realize that).

    Honestly, I'd love to know what exactly it is we're supposed to be winning at this point. With the exception of the guidelines of the AUMF (WMD,Saddam - oh hey, we've won!) I've never been given a clear picture from the repubs of just what the point of this war is anymore. I know it's oil, but they can't say that. Preventing terrorists from gaining ground in Iraq? Well, that would've required not invading it in the first freaking place. And they've done such a bang up job finding the one terrorist who actually attacked this country.

    I suppose solid reasons would be viewed as benchmarks and those are obviously not conducive to forever wars.

    Huh, coming from the Senate too. Who would have thought it?

    Like you said. It's a start. They just have to keep putting one foot...er...resolution after the other until they either wear down the repubs or cause them  to seriously question why the hell they are still supporting an unpopular lame duck president when their own political careers (the health of their entire party for that matter) will be on the line soon.

     

    I note that (5.00 / 3) (#17)
    by georgia10 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 08:59:30 PM EST
    Hillary and Obama were conspicuously absent from the announcement....

    It will be interesting to see their response.

    Thanks for stopping by TL (none / 0) (#24)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:16:40 AM EST
    Duly noted on Obama and Hil.

    Parent
    What kind of welcome did you expect (5.00 / 2) (#30)
    by Jeralyn on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:41:32 PM EST
    when you add nothing to the substance of the discussion and trash the site?

    And, yes, language counts over here. You probably wouldn't like it much, as you've already gathered.

    Nothing personal, every blog has its own style and unique community.  

    Your "unique vernacular" would require me to do too much editing and deleting.  Since moving to Scoop, I can no longer edit comments with objectionable content, I can only delete.

    You might try reading the site's commenting rules.

    I did. (none / 0) (#32)
    by Maryscott OConnor on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 08:32:15 AM EST
    That's why I remarked that I won't be spending much time here.

    That, and the collective temperament doesn't seem much suited to mine, either. Dearth of my brand of humour and lack of self-seriousness -- nothing personal.

    Parent

    I hate the way this blog looks. (1.80 / 5) (#11)
    by Maryscott OConnor on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 06:23:19 PM EST
    It needs a major revamp.

    Sorry. I know, I know, Get my own blog.

    I have. I just came over to see BDT. But it's just intolerable, the aesthetic over here. Bleargh.

    See you at MLW.

    Apologies for the insult -- no offense intended -- it's just not my bag.



    Me too (5.00 / 2) (#16)
    by taylormattd on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 08:57:01 PM EST
    I miss him already, and felt the absense of his commentary on the two new House proposals.

    Parent
    Thanks for stopping by (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:20:59 AM EST
    hey maryscott, have not seen you around (5.00 / 4) (#19)
    by Patriot Daily on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 09:26:27 PM EST
    hope you are feeling better. you know my nana used to say, when a guest in someone's  home, if you can't say something nice, maybe better just to be quiet. no offense intended.:)  

    Parent
    You've (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 10:12:34 PM EST
    been laying low too, PD!

    Parent
    hey edger (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Patriot Daily on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 10:16:20 PM EST
    yes, very busy which has kept me out of comments. i have posted diaries online over at daily kos, but can't post them here because they include pics. how have you been doing?

    Parent
    Doing really well, thanks... (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by Edger on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 03:41:15 AM EST
    Still here pretty much daily, but also here. Drop in some time if you're in the neighborhood.

    Parent
    cool. bookmarked!n/t (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by Patriot Daily on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 11:29:08 AM EST
    What name are your diaries at Kos posted with? (none / 0) (#33)
    by Edger on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 09:17:24 AM EST
    patriot daily news clearinghouse (none / 0) (#34)
    by Patriot Daily on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 10:11:27 AM EST
    how's that for a long name! here is my diary page.  I did a boo boo at registration. Just wanted Patriot Daily, but they say it can't be shortened now.

    Parent
    Oh sure! (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by Edger on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 02:37:48 PM EST
    Got a bit carried away, did you? Heh. ;-)

    Parent
    Nice... Bookmarked it,... n/t (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Edger on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 02:39:03 PM EST
    I (5.00 / 3) (#25)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:17:25 AM EST
    on the other hand, LOVE your hair . . .

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Parent

    The surge will work, voters will remember. (1.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Fritz on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 04:05:58 PM EST
    The political dynamics are in place, the security plan is working and Democrats are signing their electoral death warrant.  Yes Senator Reid, "as conditions on the ground have changed so must U.S. policy."  In other words we must stop the surge so that we insure defeat for Bush.

    The plan is working? (5.00 / 2) (#13)
    by TomStewart on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 07:26:50 PM EST
    Really. And where do you get this, besides Faux Noise and Repub daily talking points memos?

    Parent
    Sure (5.00 / 2) (#14)
    by Edger on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 07:41:17 PM EST
    brave man (5.00 / 3) (#15)
    by joliberal on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 08:23:57 PM EST
    But short on logic. I don't even know where to start with claims like these. These isn't a shred of evidence that the surge or ANY of Bush's "plans" have worked at all. Im not sure what you are smoking, but it must be some sort of reality altering substance.

    Parent
    Ah, there's some (5.00 / 3) (#18)
    by georgia10 on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 09:04:31 PM EST
    sharp Jonah-Goldberg-esque prophesy right there.

    Parent
    Will this joint resolution make it to the floor? (none / 0) (#2)
    by cal11 voter on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:00:21 PM EST
    What can we expect from the Dems in the Senate.  We've seen what the House Dems think they can deliver.  I am not optimistic that there will be much of a change in US Iraq policy.

    I won't repeat to you (5.00 / 2) (#3)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:07:24 PM EST
    my central thesis on defunding.

    If you choose to ignore it, that's on you.

    Parent

    Do you know when the money runs out? (5.00 / 1) (#8)
    by retriever on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:32:38 PM EST
    Assuming all the infighting leads to no appropriations consensus.

    Parent
    Actually I am in agreement with you. (none / 0) (#7)
    by cal11 voter on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 03:30:34 PM EST
    I am just bummed that I don't believe it will happen.  What I hope now is that there is at least a vote on Woolsey's amendment.  Time for Dems to stand and be counted.

    Parent
    WSWS on "withdrawal" plan (none / 0) (#22)
    by Andreas on Thu Mar 08, 2007 at 11:49:54 PM EST
    The WSWS writes:

    The main purpose of this political exercise, however, is to unite the party behind supplemental funding legislation that will provide at least $100 billion more to pay for the escalation of the illegal war and occupation that has been waged by Washington for the past four years.

    The stated aim of the Democratic leadership is to "unify" the party's congressional caucus behind a "consensus" position. The instrument for doing this has been crafted to allow the Democrats to posture as opponents of the Iraq war, while providing the Bush White House with both the money and the unrestricted power to continue it. ...

    Given that Bush claims progress is being made, the Democratic plan would call for US combat troops to begin "redeploying" by March 1, 2008 and complete withdrawal by September 1 of next year. Given present casualty rates--which are expected to rise significantly with the new counterinsurgency operation in Baghdad--this would mean approximately 1,500 more American soldiers killed, and many times more Iraqis.

    Democrats "withdrawal" plan paves way to escalation of Iraq war
    By Bill Van Auken, 9 March 2007


    A TROLL RATING??? (none / 0) (#28)
    by Maryscott OConnor on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:21:25 PM EST
    For expressing my dislike of the LAYOUT?

    THIS is what passes for rating around here, Jeralyn? Or are you just pissed because I pointed out some spelling, typo and accuracy errors in your defense of Markos post?

    Nice place you got here, BTD.

    Wow.

    Make that two troll ratings. Gabriella must not like my critique of the drapes, either.

    Well, ladies, never fera -- I won't be stopping by much.

    Patriot -- I'll see you at my place -- this li'l outpost is wayyy too rigid for the likes of me.

    Can't imagine what they'd do if I busted out with my usual vernacular.

    Goodnight, ladies. Thanks for the warm welcome.

    Wow (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by squeaky on Fri Mar 09, 2007 at 10:38:11 PM EST
    Did you expect to make friends? Just asking....

    Parent
    I certainly didn't expect... (none / 0) (#31)
    by Maryscott OConnor on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 08:30:37 AM EST
    a neurotic ASIDE to bring up ANGER, for heaven's sake!

    It's a blog, people. My apologies if I offended, 'twas not my intent.

    Parent

    Well what did you expect? (none / 0) (#38)
    by vcmvo2 on Mon Mar 19, 2007 at 11:49:30 PM EST
    Reasoned discussion? Insulting someone's choices is a bad way to start off, It's not dkos- it's just different . I actually like it.

    Parent
    It's not a 'surge' (none / 0) (#35)
    by Sailor on Sat Mar 10, 2007 at 10:53:48 AM EST
    it's an escalation, and it's still escalating:Iraq "surge" may be bigger, costlier than claimed