WASHINGTON, March 8, 2007

Democrats: Bring Troops Home Next Year

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

  • Play CBS Video Video Dems Propose Withdrawal Plan

    Democrats in both houses proposed a deadline date for pulling troops out of Iraq, prompting President Bush to promise to veto any bill containing a sure withdrawal date. Sharyl Attkisson reports.

  • Video Petraeus: We've Just Begun

    The top U.S. commander in Iraq insisted the security crackdown has just started and will take time, but said violent attacks are almost impossible to stop completely. Lara Logan reports.

  • Video Pelosi Vows Iraq Withdrawal

    CBS News RAW: Speaker Nancy Pelosi said a measure under consideration by the House of Representatives would bring U.S. troops home from Iraq no later than October 2008.

    • House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right, discusses the House Democrats' new legislation on Iraq, while Rep. Ike Skelton looks on, March 8, 2007.

      House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, right, discusses the House Democrats' new legislation on Iraq, while Rep. Ike Skelton looks on, March 8, 2007.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

    • Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., center, flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, right, and Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., discusses the Democrats' new plan for Iraq on March 8, 2007.

      Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., center, flanked by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, right, and Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., discusses the Democrats' new plan for Iraq on March 8, 2007.  (AP Photo/Dennis Cook)

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  • Interactive New Plan For Iraq

    Key elements of the plan, excerpts from the president's speech, reaction and more.

  • Who's Who Congress Reacts To Plan

    Reaction to President Bush's new Iraq stategy, which includes an increase in troops.

  • Interactive Battle For Iraq

    The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.

(CBS/AP)  Talking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Bartlett called it "a political compromise in the Democratic caucus of the House aimed at bringing comity to their internal politics, not reflective of the conditions on the ground in Iraq."

"It would unnecessarily handcuff our generals on the ground, he said. "Obviously, the administration would vehemently oppose and ultimately veto any legislation that looks like what was described today."

A National Security Council spokesman accused the Democrats of using "political calculations" rather than listening to the commanders in Iraq. Spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters the Democrats' plan to set a withdrawal date "runs counter to" the latest national intelligence estimates of the consequences of a U.S. withdrawal, CBS News correspondent Peter Maer reports.

To make the overall measure more attractive politically, Democrats also intend to add $1.2 billion to Mr. Bush's request for military operations in Afghanistan, where the Taliban is expected to mount a spring offensive.

CBS News correspondent Bob Fuss reports the bill also includes a prohibition of any war against Iran unless Congress approves it first, a bar against torture, and more money for military and veterans' health care than the administration asked for.

As described by Democrats, the legislation will require Mr. Bush to certify by July 1 and again by Oct. 1. whether the Iraqi government is making progress toward providing for the country's security, allocating its oil revenues and creating a fair system for amending its constitution.

They said if Mr. Bush certified the Iraqis were meeting these so-called benchmarks, U.S. combat troops would have to begin withdrawing by March 1, 2008, and complete the redeployment by Sept. 1.

Otherwise, the deadlines would move up.

If Mr. Bush cannot make the required certification by July 1, troops must begin a six-month withdrawal immediately. If he cannot make the second certification, the same six-month timetable would apply.

The legislation also requires the Pentagon to adhere to its existing standards for equipping and training U.S. troops sent overseas and for providing time at home between tours of combat.

Pelosi said the provision was designed to make sure the government would "not be sending our troops into battle without the proper training, the proper equipment."

Yet it also permits Mr. Bush to issue waivers of these standards. Democrats described the waiver provision as an attempt to embarrass the president into adhering to the standards. But they concede the overall effect would be to permit the administration to proceed with plans to deploy five additional combat brigades to the Baghdad area over the next few months.

The measure emerged from days of private talks among Democrats following the collapse of Murtha's original proposal, which would have required the Pentagon to meet readiness and training standards without the possibility of a waiver.

Murtha, chairman of a House Appropriations military subcommittee, said its implementation would have starved the war effort of troops because the Pentagon would not have been able to find enough fully rested, trained and equipped units to meet its needs.

However, several moderate Democrats spoke out against it, and Republicans sharply attacked it as the abandonment of troops already in the war zone.



© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 12:53 PM EDT
Patrick Henry
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775

The following text is a fatwa, or declaration of war, by Osama bin Laden first published in Al Quds Al Arabi, a London-based newspaper, in August, 1996. The fatwa is entitled "Declaration of War against the Americans Occupying the Land of the Two Holy Places."
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/terrorism/international/fatwa_1996.html

Text of Fatwah Urging Jihad Against Americans
http://www.ict.org.il/articles/fatwah.htm
http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/980223-fatwa.htm

Osama bin Laden's Declaration of War
http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Osama_bin_Laden%27s_Declaration_of_War
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by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 7:24 AM EDT
Patton: Oh mighty and most merciful father. We humbly beseech thee of thy great goodness to restrain this immoderate weather with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for battle. Graciously harken to us as solders who call upon thee that armed with thy power we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish thy justice among men and nations. AMEN.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 6:45 AM EDT
It is convenient for liberals to forget that the "Grand Mufti of Jerusalem" went to Germany as a guest of Hitler during WWII...and begged Hitler to find the "final solution" to the jewish problem. This same Grand mufti used his influence to raise Two Muslim SS Divisions in Yugoslavia (Kosovo) and Albaina. These divisions were responsible for the murder of almost 1 Million jews, Serbs and Gypsies.

This same Grand Mufti was the maternal uncle of Yassir Arafat! The Mufti's war continues today worldwide.
http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=37138459&tid=apiraq&sid=37138459&mid=1148296
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by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 5:54 AM EDT
Patton: Now there's another thing I want you to remember. I don't want to get any messages saying that we are holding our position. We're not holding anything. Let the Hun do that. We are advancing constantly and we're not interested in holding onto anything except the enemy. We're going to hold onto him by the nose and we're going to kick him in the ***. We're going to kick the hell out of him all the time and we're going to go through him like *** through a goose.

Patton: Men, all this stuff you've heard about America not wanting to fight - wanting to stay out of the war, is a lot of horse dung. Americans traditionally love to fight. All real Americans love the sting of battle. When you were kids, you all admired the champion marble shooter, the fastest runner, big league ball players, the toughest boxers. Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser. Americans play to win all the time. I wouldn't give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed. That's why Americans have never lost and never will lose a war, because the very thought of losing is hateful to Americans.

Patton: We're gonna keep fighting. Is that CLEAR? We're gonna attack all night we're gonna attack the next morning. If we're not VICTORIOUS. Let no man come back alive.

Patton: Fixed fortifications are monuments to the stupidity of man. If anything made by God can be overcome, anything made by man can be overcome.
Reply to this comment
by lars008-2009 March 11, 2007 5:26 AM EDT
demonic-rats vote to bring war to the streets of usa..... good one......
Reply to this comment
by lieber1881 March 10, 2007 4:33 PM EST
Put Botox Girl in a uniform, give her a carbine, and tell her that the taxpayer funded botox treatments have finally come to an end.

Let's see how long mealy-mouth will last. Oh, maybe Ex-Lax, Dally, Skybozo, Bluestarbigot, RandyBO, and some of the other less than distinguished former servicemen might want to join her in the sand dunes. Maybe get some s*x out of the old bimbo too - Ex and Skybozo sound like they're not getting enough.

In fact, get Webb, whom we now see is being richly paid off by the Hitler Youth of moveon.org (go to their website), Murtha, McDermott, Kerry, Hagel, Randy Beers, Jim Baker, Jimmeee Carter (he'd probably cut and run first), and KKK Byrd to join them. These losers failed this nation before - it's time that they did something right. Like WIN A WAR.

Heck, they might even do this country some good - that is, if they're really former servicemen and not a bunch of Jooz and America hating Nazis and Traitors.
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by bm6005 March 9, 2007 9:26 PM EST
Beam me up Scottie, no intelligence down here.
Posted by thgdriver

Certainly none in your vicinity!
Reply to this comment
by j-whitman March 9, 2007 6:21 PM EST
Rick,,,
What do you have against giving our troops the training & equipment they need to fight a war & win ????? -- What do you have against giving them plans that work ???? -- Why do you think it's more important to protect Bush than provide actual Support for our Troops ??????
Reply to this comment
by gunnerv1 March 9, 2007 5:19 PM EST
Nice word to use "Crusade". wern't we into something like that in th 12th Century? And on it goes until we retake Juresulem!
Reply to this comment
by gunnerv1 March 9, 2007 5:16 PM EST
And now (drum roll please) Just to pis*off the "Paleolibs", These Colors Never Run (Unless your a liberal) Ta Da!
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by bm6005 March 9, 2007 4:27 PM EST
Democrats: "Wave the White Flag and Submit to Islam Next Year"
Posted by singinrick

You're a brokenfrecord. Can't you come up with anything fresh. Quit trying to start a new Crusade! As I've stated before, NO ONE tells me what to do, that include religious nutcases, political numbskulls, etc. So if you think anyone could control America you've been digging into the Commie *** from years ago.
Reply to this comment
by bm6005 March 9, 2007 4:24 PM EST
Democrats: "Wave the White Flag and Submit to Islam Next Year"
Posted by singinrick

You're a brokenfrecord. Can't you come up with anything fresh. Quit trying to start a new Crusade!
Reply to this comment
by grumpas March 9, 2007 1:13 PM EST
"Hmmmm, wonder how the babe would look in Khaki and carrying a carbine." posted by Lieber1881. Hopefully when she does get inducted you will be under her command. Maybe she get some good sense knocked into that empty neocon head of yours. But, then again. I imagine you are one who will stay at home and cower under the bed while someone else does your fighting for you! After all aren't you one of those who subscribe to the theory that if we leave Iraq they will follow us home???? I have a bridge I could sell you dirt cheap! It's in Brooklyn......
Reply to this comment
by clestes-2009 March 9, 2007 1:09 PM EST
Actually, Dubya would do his party a favor if he agreed to a withdrawal in 2008. At least then, the rep candidates might have a better shot in the elections. But if he steadfastly refuses, which no doubt he will, the troops will still be there when elections roll around and this can only hurt the rep party.

But thinking about his party's future has never been high on Bush's list of priorities.
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by clestes-2009 March 9, 2007 1:02 PM EST
The troops are coming home. It is only a question of time. Either in 2008 or 2009. Then we will be left with trying to fix all the problems caused by this venture into empire building and the ones that have been neglected the last 6 years.

It can only be hoped that lessons have been learned by this. The big one being DON'T INVADE ANOTHER COUNTRY FOR GREED.
Reply to this comment
by victor_2-1 March 9, 2007 12:43 PM EST
The American people are indebted to the efforts and sacrifices that the active and reserve forces have put into serving in Iraq. The time for a change in American policy in Iraq is long overdue. It's time to bring our service members home, and redesign American tactics so that our country can win the war on terror.
Reply to this comment
by bluestardad March 9, 2007 11:47 AM EST
50 YEARS OF SACRIFICE IN THE MIDDLE EAST IS ENOUGH! These little Neocons should be taken out and hung along with all their entire families for all the loss of American Life they have caused over the years! They are causing a back lash against Israel one of our allies in the Middle East. But then this NEOCON MEDDLING is the very thing that caused Jews to be persecuted in Europe. They got in politics without regards to the feelings of those they trampled over until the countries have had enough then they rose up and killed six million of them. Israeli Neocons are causing our Elected officials to fight their wars in Proxy! They are bragging in their advertisements read below. Follow the money do not take my word for it see how many Congressmen are influenced by AIPAC money and how they are voting on Iraq!

http://www.aipac.org/forms/join_aipacClubs.htm
Reply to this comment
by zootallures2 March 9, 2007 11:23 AM EST
What? And ruin the worth of the stocks the Democrats and Hollywood left have invested in? Micheal Moore might make out better than Richard Cheney with his Haliburton stock...lol. Plus, he'll live longer to be able to enjoy it.
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by lieber1881 March 9, 2007 11:10 AM EST
Ahhhh, the grunts of the little traitorous animals in the pigpen..the usual ones like RandyBS or BO - whatever. Or Karlimhof, the Hamas operative. Too bad the FBI didn't arrest him with his equally traitorous friend in Phoenix yesterday.

And a list from the Jooz hater Bluestarbigot, another supposedly former U.S. Army officer - probably not U.S. at all but Waffen SS. How nice. Too bad Sharia, whether or not Botox Girl wants it, isn't going to happen this year or the next, or hopefully with TRUE Americans and patriots, NOT Dems, Neo-Nazis or Traitors, demanding victory NOT Al Qaeda.

Give it up, Bozos. Your treachery, your lies, your hate is going to consume you - and your botox girl Pelosi too. Hmmmm, wonder how the babe would look in Khaki and carrying a carbine. Probably the first sign of trouble she'd ask her ILLEGAL hirees to sub for her.
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by liberalvet March 9, 2007 10:49 AM EST
The liberals here try to rewrite history all the time. They rewrite the meaning/definition of a civil war to fit their agenda too. Who's surprised??

Beam me up Scottie, no intelligence down here.
Posted by thgdriver at 01:12 AM : Mar 09, 2007


And the award for most idiotic post of the year goes to thgdriver. Dude you are seriously in need of professional mental assistance. The world is going to SH*T around you and you are to ****D brainwashed by the neocon propaganda machine to see it. The only saving grace is that each day more and more Americans are seeing through the smoke screens and lies. But there will always be mindless morons as you in the world. Hopefully we can keep you and your kind in a box and never let you control anything ever again.
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