Democrats: Bring Troops Home Next Year

White House Issues Blunt Veto Threat To Legislation Calling For Fall 2008 Deadline

(CBS/AP)  House Democratic leaders vowed Thursday to pass legislation setting a deadline of Sept. 1, 2008, for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, a challenge to President Bush's war policy that drew a blunt veto threat in return.

"It would unnecessarily handcuff our generals on the ground, and it's safe to say it's a non-starter for the president," said White House spokesman Dan Bartlett.

Little more than two months after Democrats took control of the House and Senate, Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California said the bill would set "dates certain for the first time in the Congress for the redeployment of our troops out of Iraq."

CBS News correspondent Sharyl Attkisson calls this the latest and most aggressive challenge to the president's authority as commander in chief.

Officials said the deadline would be accelerated — possibly to the end of 2007 — if the government of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki failed to meet commitments for taking over security operations, distributing oil revenue and opening his nation's constitution to amendments.

The plan includes benchmarks for things like Iraq taking over its own security, holding new provincial elections and finalizing plans to distribute the country's oil wealth among all Iraqis, Attkisson reports.

Pelosi said Democrats would add their war-related provisions to the administration's request for nearly $100 billion to pay for the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pelosi told reporters the measure would mark the first time the new Democratic-controlled Congress has established a "date certain" for the end of U.S. combat in the four-year-old war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,100 U.S. troops.

Senior White House adviser Dan Bartlett, accompanying Mr. Bush on a flight to Latin America, told reporters, "It's safe to say it's a nonstarter for the president."

Within an hour of Pelosi's news conference, House Republican Leader John Boehner attacked the measure. He said Democrats were proposing legislation that amounted to "establishing and telegraphing to our enemy a timetable" that would result in failure of the U.S. military mission in Iraq.

"Gen. (David) Petraeus should be the one making the decisions on what happens on the ground in Iraq, not Nancy Pelosi or John Murtha," the Ohio Republican added. Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat, has been heavily involved in crafting legislation designed to end U.S., participation in the war.

Democrats won control of Congress last fall in midterm elections shadowed by public opposition to the war, and have vowed since taking power to challenge Mr. Bush's policies.

Pelosi made her announcement as Senate Democrats reviewed a different approach — a measure that would set a goal of a troop withdrawal by March 2008. Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada called a closed-door meeting of the rank-and-file to consider the measure.

In the House, Pelosi and the leadership have struggled in recent days to come up with an approach on the war that would satisfy liberals reluctant to vote for continued funding without driving away more moderate Democrats unwilling to be seen as tying the hands of military commanders.

The decision to impose conditions on the war risks a major confrontation with the Bush administration and its Republican allies in Congress.

But without a unified party, the Democratic leadership faced the possibility of a highly embarrassing defeat when the spending legislation reaches a vote, likely later this month. establishing a deadline for troop withdrawals.

[wizest]

The Demo-reps are up in arms, better duck. Shooting wild again, they might just hit the target right on the edge. OOOh! And that,s scary!

[rsoxfan1123]

They need to do something. America overwhelming outed the repubs due to their incompetence and elected the dems because they wanted change. If the dems produce nothing substantial, people will migrate to the independent party(the repubs won't, just the dems). Any idiot determined to vote independent is simply putting the repubs back in power and asking for four more years of the hell we have been going through under Bush.

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East then the countries will have to work out their differences between themselves and true peace will be achieved. 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the middle east more than those who live there!

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

The House Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[omega39-2009]

Democrats are advancing legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq by the fall of next year....

In other words, spineless Democrats are doing nothing. The GOP is well aware of the implications of having the troops in Iraq during the 08 election and are already considering options for a draw down/pullout.

[forthepeaple]

as i stated many many time on here.. americans do have a better choice than dems or reps. it americans for america.. pres. david a belanger for president...and lets help him get our america back and put a end now. to put this adminastration in jail. for murder.....

[forthepeaple]

you can help at [e-mail] and ask how you can help.

[rsoxfan1123]

The GOP is well aware of the implications of having the troops in Iraq during the 08 election and are already considering options for a draw down/pullout.
Posted by omega39

Don't be so sure. The Bush administration is in control and they have every intention of passing this mess off to the next president in charge. Remember, those "republicans" you mention are still run by their boss-man Bush.

[forthepeaple]

you have to remenber that everyone in congress has been lieing for so long they dont know the truth anymore.. and its our falt to let it get this far. and the way we americans can change it is to elect all new sent/reps/ and not dems/reps/ only regerlar normal americans that want to only help ameicans... that why americans for america is the right choice.....at [e-mail]

[perception5]

Isn't interesting how CBS put this under the "politics" heading. I thought we weren't going to make Iraq a politicial issue???

This "do-nothing" 110th Congress needs to get their act together........ where's the minimum wage bill? what going on with education? how about health care? also immigration??

NO! all we Americans are seeing is these bunch of DEMs working to pay off their campigaign debts to the extreme left-wing and to our mob-run unions..............Shameful and sad...

[rsoxfan1123]

If by "regerlar normal americans" you mean independent candiadtes you might as well vote republican. You might get some dems stupid enough to follow you but the republicans will stick to their candidate no matter what and you'll bring us four more years of Bush hell world. Vote democrat- remember that right now congress is dealing with a president that threatens to veto absolutely everything they do and it ties their hands.

[rsoxfan1123]

what going on with education? how about health care?
Posted by perception5

Who can afford that stuff when you're spending $2 billion a week to improve Iraq?

[bluestardad]

Democratic Leadership are cowards! Change is needed with them too!

[rsoxfan1123]

Democratic Leadership are cowards! Change is needed with them too!
Posted by bluestardad

You're running out of options. Get a democratic president in there that doesn't veto everything they do and see what happens.

[forthepeaple]

any one with any common sence has to see what see. just look what we try to do for a cigar caper// no shot or killed just a cigar.. doesn't anyone remember that.. but this congress/and adminatsration hasn't and wont do anything.. because they all know they have to much to hide..thats why a all new clean washington has to be elected.. and i would make sure there would be limmited to 2 turms only... just like the white [e-mail] david a belanger for president..

[rsoxfan1123]

limmited to 2 turms
Posted by forthepeaple

I hope belanger spells better than you. Maybe he needs a different PR guy.

[forthepeaple]

soxfan- and what you just stated is why we americans are in the mess we are in.. change is the only way we america can save america.. right now china own us. just to let you know...

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East the countries will have to work out their differences. 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the middle east more than those who live there! ASK THEM WHO IS PAYING THEIR SALARIES?

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[forthepeaple]

soxfan. all i know is that he can shot staight...and thats what this counrty needs.. do you really think any candidate spells and writes his or her notes. no they dont. they hire peaple that can read and write.. and he not affaid of anyone in washington.. like everyone is..

[rsoxfan1123]

forthepeaple -are you the guy that reads and writes his notes?

[red1530]

The idea of a timetable is bad. We should be sending more troops to secure the country. Also talking to the Iranians would be good. However the negotiations must be conducted with a grain of salt.

[rsoxfan1123]

Red1530-Here's what a respected general (that has no political or current career interest in Iraq) said: "Gen. William Odom told senators that the biggest source of instability in Iraq is paradoxically the presence of U.S. forces there.
Odom said that "withdrawal from Iraq" on "a serious and irreversible schedule, is the only thing that will change the polarity of the situation to give this president an opportunity to design a strategy that has some prospect of victory."

[forthepeaple]

are you ready to go hand to hand combat with anyone in washington..are you willing to give your life for your country(he is a vet) and ready to take control... and i would follow him anywhere..not like this comander and chief..he is not worth the spit on my shoes.. and if he was in charge of me i would trip myself like many did in veitam to make someone that wasn't worth it just go away.. bang oops buy buy. and drive on

[radiob-2009]

A infusion of reality here, first off this is politcal grandstanding for the next presidental election. Second and most important of all Congress only has the authority to cut spending, it does not have the authority to tie conditions to the way a war is conducted.Any action taken in this that places conditions on how to wage the war will end up in the supreme court.Not a supporter of Bush but I am a realist and this is nothing more than political grandstanding.Time for a new party that represents America and has a plan to get us out of Iraq and wage the war on terror not fund it.

[gunnerv1]

These Colors never run (unless your a Liberal)

[forthepeaple]

soxs this great general that was just sent there what a few weeks ago, is saying today in the washington post and others.. no matter how many troops i have i can't win this.. so help help what a joke and how many more of our troops do we have to lose before you and america wake up and demand that this adminastration be accountable for the 4000 plus murders

[forthepeaple]

soxs this great general that was just sent there what a few weeks ago, is saying today in the washington post and others.. no matter how many troops i have i can't win this.. so help help what a joke and how many more of our troops do we have to lose before you and america wake up and demand that this adminastration be accountable for the 4000 plus murders

[gunnerv1]

As many as it takes!

[forthepeaple]

they have had the AUTHORITY TO IMPEACH THIS WHOLE ADMINASTRATION.. AND HAVEN'T DONE A THING..

[forthepeaple]

AS MANY AS IT TAKES/ WHAT? EXPLAIN YOURSELF! AND DONT ALL OF YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE JUST COMPLETED THE 5TH MEGA MILITARY BASE IN IRAC!!!!! THEY PLAN ON BEING IN IRAQ FOR AT LEASE 50 YEARS.......

[terrapin78]

More and more and more. Just like Vietnam. And General P. now says there can be no military victory, that it requires a political compromise.

So let's send more and more and more US soldiers and more and more and more of US tax dollars into a "war zone" that cannot be won on the ground.

Makes perfect sense!!

[stevex47]

In Iraq, the U.S. top General David Petraeus conceded today no military solution will work and talks with fighting groups is the only long term solution.

Seems he hasn't signed on to "Stay the Course" by the Decider.

[bluestardad]

HERE ARE THE SENATORS UP FOR REELECTION IN 08 WRITE THEM OR QUIT COMPLAINING! ASK THEM WHO IS PAYING THEM? The longer we interject American military and money in the Middle East the longer the problems will exists. If America pulls out of the Middle East then the countries will have to work out their differences. 50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IS ENOUGH! We cannot want peace in the middle east more than those who live there!

Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
Baucus, Max- (D - MT)
Biden, Joseph R., Jr.- (D - DE)
Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
Cochran, Thad- (R - MS)
Coleman, Norm- (R - MN)
Collins, Susan M.- (R - ME)
Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
Craig, Larry E.- (R - ID)
Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
Durbin, Richard- (D - IL)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Harkin, Tom- (D - IA)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
Johnson, Tim- (D - SD)
Kerry, John F.- (D - MA)
Landrieu, Mary L.- (D - LA)
Lautenberg, Frank R.- (D - NJ)
Levin, Carl- (D - MI)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Pryor, Mark L.- (D - AR)
Reed, Jack- (D - RI)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Rockefeller, John D., IV- (D - WV)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

Speakers email address: [e-mail]

[forthepeaple]

HEY WERE YOU GO SOXS NOTHING TO SAY...

[forthepeaple]

WERE DID YOU GO GUNNERV1

[observantx]

These Colors never run (unless your a Liberal) - gunnerv1

Is that all you have? A bumper sticker slogan?

Please provide some discussion, some reasons, some logical framework for your opinion. It seems like you prefer to parrot spin and soundbites instead of a true debate.

No wonder we've got our nose in the wringer. everyone jumped on the chest thumping John Wayne bandwagon instead of asking some pointed questions about the reasons for invading Iraq.

Now we pay the price in blood and limbs.

Colors don't run, but BLOOD does.

[stevex47]

gunnerv,

You did read about the top general in Iraq today didn't you? I hope you're not calling him a cut-n-runner.

By the way, you should have learned about the name calling after the Macaca thing cost you both the House, Senate, and soon to be presidency. Shame on you.

[olebd]

Plain and simple...we caused the dammage, the Iraqis are lazy and are laden with internal conflicts thus, they will never be willing to work together to stand on their own. We'll be there for a long time. Thanks be to Bush.

[forthepeaple]

LETS SEE WHAT WAS IT THAT THE PRESIDENT SAID... WHAT IS NEEDED IN WASHINGTON IS LETS SEE OH YA SHOCK AND AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH.THATS WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE....

[notblue]

General Patraeus this morning stated in his speach that the conflict in Iraq cannot be won by military force alone but must be coupled with diplomacy. He also stated that it will take many years and that Iraq and Afghanistan are just the first two chapters in a world wide conflict. I guess the democratic senators didn't pay any attention to that speach this morning.

[middleman8]

AS long as there are people who will put on a uniform and go to kill and be killed, there will be people such as Hitler and Bush and Blair.

[forthepeaple]

COME ON GUNNER AND SOXS DONT WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE.

[itchyb-2009]

These Colors never run (unless your a Liberal)
Posted by gunnerv1 at 11:18 AM : Mar 08, 2007

AHhh. Now I get it. There are no liberals in Iraq, none have been killed, and none in our substandard military hospitals; and none in the military, for that matter. All military men and women are conservative republicans. You spew out vapid slogans, with no real concrete ideas. Open your eyes and, if you can, read something, and turn of the Fox Comedy Channel for a while.

[stevex47]

notblue,

Not only did the general mean 'diplomacy", he meant talk with the insurgents. World of difference.

[notblue]

Stevex47, the general didn't say anything about a timeline.

[gunnerv1]

My blood ran in VN, where has your been spilt? I wonder, have you ever paid any price for your freedoms of living in the Greatest Free Country in the westeren hemesphere?

[forthepeaple]

no, and i thank you for your service to our (once) and that you have to beleive is true. great country... i beleive in all our troops that if we are defending something that will harm my family. you are smart anaugh to know that this war has nothing to do with honor.. its all about the money.. and if you are saying that you are ok with the spilling of blood for money is ok. than i am sorry....

[processor2]

Maybe queen Nancy and the rest of the left-wing extremists who are ruining a once great Democrat party, should move to France (where surrendering is a way of life)

...

While combat is horrible (I know), and should be avoided; once started, I would never advocate "turning tail and running" the way these SurrenderCrats are advocating

...

[stevex47]

notblue,

Where in any of my posts do I use the word timeline?

But, I'm guessing he means start talking yesterday, as in, Don't stay the course right now !

[frankly6]

processor2

You and your cohorts are the only extemists here. Despite overwhelming evidence the contrary you hold on to the belief that Bush and Co. are decent, competent people leading this country in the right direction. You don't require any proof of that. Just that they are the team wearing your jersey.

[notblue]

Stevex47, this article is about the Dems installing a timeline.