Light At The End Of The Tunnel?

by DemFromCT

Not, alas, the end of the war. But at least Dems seem to have gotten the message that they need to get their act together on Iraq.

Twelve Democratic leaders of the House and Senate have urged President Bush in a strongly worded letter to begin withdrawing the 130,000 U.S. troops from Iraq by year's end, a sign that Democrats may be uniting on a key election-year issue that has divided the party...

Bush's "open-ended commitment" to Iraq should be abandoned, the letter asserted, in the interest of "American national security, our troops, and our taxpayers."...

The letter suggests that Democratic leaders have overcome divisions in how to respond to the growing cost of military operations in Iraq.

Leaders like Biden and Murtha and the others were able to find common ground and sign the letter.

We believe that a phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq should begin before the end of 2006. U.S. forces in Iraq should transition to a more limited mission focused on counterterrorism, training and logistical support of Iraqi security forces, and force protection of U.S. personnel.

It's not just a key election-year issue, it's THE key election year issue. Ignoring it was the dumbest thing Democrats could have done, sending a message they couldn't deal with tough problems. That charge may not be taken off the table completely with moves like this, but I like the idea of communicating the idea that 'I voted not the cut the President's feet from under him - unfortunately, despite this bipartisan support, Bush screwed up. And now we have to clean up.' That doesn't automatically translate to pull out immediately. that's a discussion to come. But it sure as hell means not 'staying the course'.

Of course, if you really want something other than 'stay the course', we'll need more than letters. We'll need a Democratic 110th Congress .

Comments

[Mimikatz]

About time. It sounds good from the reports. I especially like the sound of "redeploy" and "limited mission."

They may have been emboldened by the Pentagon announcement that it was extending tours of duty yet again and sending 5,000 more troops to Baghdad. This action prompted Chuck Hagel to say,

that in the previous 48 hours, he had received three telephone calls from four-star generals who were "beside themselves" over the Pentagon's reversal of plans to bring tens of thousands of soldiers home this fall.

As things go from bad to worse in the ME, it is long past time to begin to redeploy out of Iraq before while we still can.

[Dismayed]

Couldn't agree more with your post. I hear lots of people say they have had it with the Repubs, but without taking a breath they say "But I haven't hear anything any better from the Democrats" John Stewart has twice politely abraded Howard Dean for not having a narrative. IT's DAMN TIME to get one. My most hardcore right wing-day time radio listening-can't stand weenie Dems friends confided to me that he thought we needed to start getting out of Iraq. You hit the proper position dead on the head DemfromCT. Hope the DNC is listening

[DemFromCT]

Dismayed, of course, suggested the frame. The link is in the story.

[Dismayed]

What about a post on positions in general for November? If the DNC can't get a grip on it perhaps we can just do it for them. I'm quite sure they hang on every word from TNH.

[rj]

Okay, okay, you're all brilliant. (You are, actually.)

This is very, very good news. And that's a nice, broad cross-section of signatories to the letter. And the fact that they're finally speaking in a unified voice on Iraq may do even more than give the voters a real alternative to the more-of-the-same gang on Iraq. For so long, Democrats have simply not seen that beyond the substance of what you stand for, the very fact of standing for it makes you look strong, and that all the worrying about image and compulsion to comprimise just fuels the "weenie Dems" thing. If you want people to think you're strong, then dammit, be strong. This letter is -- finally! -- a great step in the right direction. Thanks for the post, DemFromCT.

[ab initio]

Sen. Hagel:

"The sickening slaughter on both sides must end and it must end now," Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel said. "President Bush must call for an immediate cease-fire. This madness must stop."

(snip)

"Our relationship with Israel is special and historic," he said. "But it need not and cannot be at the expense of our Arab and Muslim relationships. That is an irresponsible and dangerous false choice."

Where are the Dems on this? Shilling AIPAC talking points! Why would the ME benefit if the Dems win a majority in the House? Wont we get more of the same Cheneyite policies.

[freepatriot]

so Chuck Hagal is surprised that "thousands of soldiers" wont be coming home as bushco said they would ???

hey Chuck, george LIES, a LOT

other than some fantasy plans by delusional generals, whay exactly would lead anybody to believe we could reduce our troop numbers in Iraq ???

deaths of American soldiers, pretty much steady

deaths of iraqi civilians, steadily rising at an ever increasing rate

numbers of Iraqi troops trained, steady at ZERO since day one

which of those factors indicates success ???

[janinsanfran]

Yeah -- when Shrub puts US troops into the "border zone" the Israelis are trying to conquer, the Dems are going to be shitfaced supporters and the only public voices in opposition will rally around Hagel.

Well maybe things won't get that bad, but I wouldn't bet against some version of this.

The Dems have had YEARS to find an slightly anti-war weaselling position on Iraq -- they are incapable of doing the same if Bush leads us into war for Israel. And it could happen.