June 20, 2006
WHAT A TIME TO GO ALL DECISIVE ON US:
On Iraq, Kerry Again Leaves Democrats Fuming (KATE ZERNIKE, 6/21.06, NY Times)
When Senator John Kerry was their presidential nominee in 2004, Democrats fervently wished he would express himself firmly about the Iraq war.Mr. Kerry has found his resolve. But it has not made his fellow Democrats any happier. They fear the latest evolution of Mr. Kerry's views on Iraq may now complicate their hopes of taking back a majority in Congress in 2006.
As the Senate prepared for what promises to be a sharp debate starting on Wednesday about whether to begin pulling troops from Iraq, the Democratic leadership wants its members to rally behind a proposal that calls for some troops to move out by the end of this year but does not set a fixed date for complete withdrawal. Mr. Kerry has insisted on setting a date, for American combat troops to pull out in 12 months, saying anything less is too cautious.
In drawing up a schedule for the Wednesday session, the Democratic leadership has arranged for its plan to be debated first, pushing Mr. Kerry and his proposal into the evening, too late for the nightly television news, to starve it of some attention. [...]
Stepping into an elevator on Capitol Hill late last week, Mr. Kerry was asked whether he was under pressure in the Democrats' meetings to withdraw his proposal. As he insisted he was not, Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, standing behind him, raised his eyebrows, then winked.
In an interview, Mr. Dodd, who is also considering a presidential run, said one danger in the November election was in making Democrats look indecisive. "If the argument comes down to, Is it one year or eighteen months, I think we're going to confuse people," he said. "I'm not sure what the value is; I think it hurts us rather than helps."
You're in big trouble when your party's big problem is John Kerry standing too firm. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 20, 2006 11:50 PM
Let me get this straight. The Dems want to pull the US troops out now. Bush has been saying for the past 2 years that as Iraq stands up we will stand down and pull troops out. Recent developments and statements by the new Iraq govt indicate that Iraq is ready to take over and that US troops can be reduced. Do the Dems really think the public will give them the credit as troops come home later this year/next year?
Posted by: AWW at June 21, 2006 7:55 AMThe National Guard pulled out of New Orleans too soon and look what happened.
Posted by: Sandy P at June 21, 2006 9:11 AMAWW:
Their friends in the media will surely try to help them with that.
What I find absurd with regard to their position is that it is completely devoid of any conditions on the ground. Just set a date and leave, regardless.
Posted by: Rick T. at June 21, 2006 10:04 AMEveryone who uses language of "withdrawal, of "getting out," or some such to describe adjustments in force structure in Iraq is a fraud and sooner or later will pay the price for this chicanery.
What don't we understand about what it takes to fight and win in the 21st Century? We are not going to equip Iraq with everything it needs to fight and win, not soon, not ever. To do so, even it were possible, would be grossly irresponsible, on the order of giving a child a loaded gun.
The questions of how many "combat-ready air groups" Iraq has remains unanswered. American supporting arms will be required in Irag in foreseeable perpetuity. Likewise there will always be enough Americans in-country subject to
"kidnapping" and murder to make this a continuous process, sort of like the police tape and chalk circles of urban vioulence on the the nightly news.
Posted by: Lou Gots at June 21, 2006 12:36 PM
You mean this John Kerry
Posted by: h-man at June 21, 2006 2:33 PM
"Mr. Kerry has found his resolve."
Well, just a few on-bringers and his resolve will go running away (again).
Posted by: jim hamlen at June 21, 2006 10:12 PM