More GOP Defections On Iraq?

The Skinny: White House Concerned More Republican Senators Will Split With President

(CBS)  The Skinny is Joel Roberts' take on the top news of the day and the best of the Internet.

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There's growing concern in the White House that Republican support for President Bush's Iraq policy is "collapsing around them," The New York Times reports Monday. That's leading some administration officials to suggest that Mr. Bush should announce plans for a gradual pullback of U.S. troops to forestall more GOP defections.

The report follows the recent announcements by four senior Republican senators, all loyal supporters of the president and the war, that they could no longer back Mr. Bush's Iraq strategy. Officials said there were worries that the loss of Republicans could accelerate this week as the Senate returns from holiday recess to renew its debate on funding the war.

The Times says there's an intensifying debate in the White House over whether the president should act ahead of the much-anticipated Sept. 15 progress report on his troop surge, and announce plans for a staged withdrawal of U.S. forces from hotspots in Baghdad and other cities – an idea he rejected in December when it was proposed by the Iraq Study Group.

"Sept. 15 now looks like an end point for the debate, not a starting point," one senior official said. "Lots of people are concluding that the president has got to get out ahead of this train."

White House press secretary Tony Snow took issue with The Times story later Monday, insisting there has been no discussion of a troop pullback. "There is no debate right now on withdrawing forces right now from Iraq," Snow said.


Summer Jobs A Thing Of The Past?

Spending the summer working at an ice cream stand, a pool or a camp used to be a rite of passage for teenagers. No longer.

According to USA Today, a new Labor Department report shows that for the first time on record, most American teens were not working or looking for work at the start of the summer.

Just 48.8 percent of 16-to-19-year-olds were working or looking for work in June, the report said. That compares with 51.6 percent a year ago and a high of 67.7 percent back in June 1978.

So what are today's teens doing with their summers instead of working? They're spending more time studying – even in summer. The Labor Department said 37.6 percent of teens were enrolled in school last summer – more than three times the number enrolled two decades ago.


Tired Of Campaign '08? You're Not Alone

Americans are excited about the 2008 presidential race and polls show many consider it one of the most important elections of their lives.

But, according to The New York Times, voters are already feeling overwhelmed and annoyed by the constant barrage of information about an election that's still 16 months away.

In interviews with dozens of voters across the country, The Times says there's a growing sense that the campaign has "become much too intense, much too soon." Voters feel bombarded by all the speeches and attacks, the nonstop media coverage and "a fund-raising free-for-all that many described as unseemly."

The frustration with the campaign reflects the earlier than ever start to the race, the large field of contenders in both parties, and a feeling among both Democrats and Republicans "that the country is ready to move beyond the Bush administration."

There's also concern that the fast pace and financial demands of the campaign are crowding out lesser-known contenders and making it impossible for candidates to listen and learn from voters.

Still, despite their aggravation, the interviews showed voters "certainly were not disengaged." They're paying attention to the race and trying their best to determine where the candidates stand on the issues – they just wish they didn't have to do it so long before the election.


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[grazinggoat]

More stones are falling off the wall. The Bush-AIPAC Castle is falling apart. Repukons-Rats are running out, for the newer president the hope to be republican. What an idiot party. They're taking Americans for 'Nuts'. Repukons, wait, you haen't seen nothing. Americans are preparing a great lesson for you. You'llbe kept in the dark opposition for looooonnnnggggg time... get yourself some good hot blankets to keep warm, don't forget a good provision of hot-kool-aid...

[houser123]

When Mitch McConnell,Trent Lott and John Bohner sit down with George Bush and say:Mr. President, it's time for a change, that is when it will occur. McConnell is up for re-election in 08 and given the mood of this country, he may not survive if he keeps supporting the president's policy in Iraq.Remember McConnell kept telling us there were no real problems in Iraq because 11 of the 18 provinces were secure.

[forthepeopl1]

lets send all in washington to iraq for a week in the feild and then we will see a change real quick when sen and reps are blown apart..

like should happen to most of them

[prayerful1]

Never thought anything like this would ever surface such loyalty at the expense of innocent lives. Enough will never be enough. Bush will continue to ask for more lives to be sacrificed in a no win situation. The whole situation is shameful.

[bluestardad]

Here are a list of the Traitors up for RE-Election! They hide behind Supporting The Troops when in fact they support Israel and Bush by continuing funding of this Iraq War! AIPAC is their handler!

Carl Levin (D)
Steny Hoyer (D)


Alexander, Lamar- (R - TN)
Allard, Wayne- (R - CO)
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)
Enzi, Michael B.- (R - WY)
Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
Hagel, Chuck- (R - NE)
Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
Roberts, Pat- (R - KS)
Sessions, Jeff- (R - AL)
Smith, Gordon H.- (R - OR)
Stevens, Ted- (R - AK)
Sununu, John E.- (R - NH)
Warner, John- (R - VA)

[drinuk]

Cheney, the Illuminati message boy is losing his grip of the situation, they fired Rumsfelt and poor old GW aint got a clue what bloody day it is. The Illuminati are know taking a close look at the Dems to see just who will work for them. My guess is Hilary because Bill is already a member. We should do what Putin did and kick these people out, then perhaps genuine people may run the country instead of this evil Global cartel who have our politicians dangling on strings.

[drinuk]

Bluestardad. Your right on the money! All these people and a lot more in Washington are illuminati pawns. This war was and is about Israel, it's about the jews, they wanted it and got it thanks to their puppets in government both in America and the UK. And dont for one minute think the Dems have clean hands either, they have been got at too. Over ten thousand members of the Illuminati are striving for World Domination, it has a strong Jewish leadership who recruit people like Bush and Blair to do their bidding. Thank God India and China as well as Russia have given them the Boot, otherwise we would be fighting them too.

[sjc_1]

This is so like Rome is burning while Nero fiddles. This guy has no clue, has no conscience, has no remorse, has no contrition. His head is made of wood and he needs a dummy handler to find the next words. This is so pathetic is makes you want to cry. But that would not solve the problem of this clown still in office for another 18 months. Ever notice how the people are counting the months until this dufus is gone? Sort of tells you something doesn't it? The only one that does not get it is dufus.

[ubrew12]

People keep blaming the Democrats for not following through and bringing our toops home, but its obvious they can't do that without a veto proof majority, and that's got to come from Republicans. Republicans are defecting because:

Their constituents know who is to blame.

And its not the Democrats.

[antoniof123]

George says send me something I can sign. I say send him 1 month at a time and let the GOP keep it front and center keep voting the issue down right up until election day. I am just wondering how long the GOP will continue with this useless lock step they are so famous for.

[secundus2]

"Blame the Jews" is one of the oldest and most worthless bits of propaganda circulating in the world.

Blame the Congress who made the liberation of Iraq the law of the land in 1998 and authorized the use of force in Iraq as the president deemed necessary and appropriate in 2002. They did these things because they were overwhelmingly popular measures at the time.

Now they will propose to withdraw or draw down, because that is the popular viewpoint. The Republicans who are up for election in 2008 won't run with the burden of Iraq on their shoulders -- that would actually require some political courage at the moment, because it would mean bucking popular opinion. They read the poll numbers.

[airmanc5]

Joel Roberts, good reporting on the news of today and whats going on. But one item you missed. Its being reported on the DrudgeReport and other internet services that Katie Couric went Balistic and slapped around, (assaulted), an editor, that used the word "sputum". She admitted she was extremely upset with the use of this word, But isn't it a commonly used word when reporting on TB infection? Maybe it is time Katie enrolls in anger management classes, or finds the source of her stress. It is being reported that she is very stressed out. Reference: www.drudgereport.com

[randalds]

Their constituents know who is to blame.

And its not the Democrats.
Posted by ubrew12 at 01:05 PM : Jul 09, 2007

That's right! I get so sick of right-wingers coming here, pretending to be democrats, and then complaining that this Congress hasn't done enough. Without a veto proof majority there is not much the Congress can do to stop a determined madman like Bush. Real democrats wouldn't do this whining and would work even harder to lean on the republicans who are to blame for putting party loyalty over what's best for the country. Until more of them (and their supporters here and elsewhere) realize that they're supposed to be Americans first and republicans last we can not stop Bush.

[tibu987]

The rats are leaving a sinking ship.

'Nuff said.

[name_verify]

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COMMENTS ARE CLOSED FOR THIS STORY

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DNC NEWS UPDATE

Jesse Jackson arrives in Pelosi's hometown of SF and denounces black on black violence.

Poses for photo op with victims' surviving family members.

Unity of the oppressed speech draws crowd of angry queers.

Cindy Sheehan participates by conference call, says some of Casey's best friends were negros.

Barak claims he's just as much a feminist as Hillary is a negro.

Hillary says you can't invalidate her feelings.

Gore promises feminist rap concert next year to benefit both negros and queers who use compact flourescent bulbs, if Pelosi's bill to protect farm goats passes the Senate.

- 2008 Campaign to Save the Planet! -

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[mcvet]

Gore promises feminist rap concert next year to benefit both negros and queers who use compact flourescent bulbs, if Pelosi's bill to protect farm goats passes the Senate.

- 2008 Campaign to Save the Planet! -

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Posted by screen_name_ at 03:26 PM : Jul 09, 2007

Rough on you fascist these days huh? ROFLMAO Maybe you should take that magic swastika off in a corner by yourself, put on some real loud marching music and hang a REALLY big confederate flag. True none of these things will help you get a grip on reality but it will keep you occupied while REAL American's try to deal with the MOST incompetent President in our history. Sieg Heil Bush!

[cdfoxtrot]

McCain gets back to Washington on Wednesday from his latest Iraq tour. If McCain hopes to rescue his faltering bid for the White House, he will have to drop his support for Bush's failed war. If he's smart (and thusfar, the evidence doesn't suggest that he is), he'll start the process on Wednesday. Were he to do that, watch more Republicans join the Democrats in trying to get the US out of the disaster of Bush's unnecessary, illegal and failed war. This could be a good month. For the US and for the rest of mankind.

[iceman_1960]

"It's the economy !" - Stupid.

David Gergen said this morning of Bush's Iraq war, "When your own party defects from you, it's the end."

Meanwhile Dubya is planning speeches that will stress his DOMESTIC agenda, including jobs and the rising stock market.

"Forget Iraq... It's the economy !" - says Stupid.

[iceman_1960]

"Sept. 15 now looks like an end point for the debate, not a starting point," one senior official said. "Lots of people are concluding that the president has got to get out ahead of this train."

Surely he meant, get out ahead of this parade.

Getting ahead of a speeding train is a good way to get run over.

[perception5]

According to a USA Today/Gallup Poll release today Americans said:

"Still, 55% say Congress should wait to develop a new policy on Iraq until Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, delivers a promised assessment in September; 40% say Congress should act now."

So September it is. This Do-Nothing Congress goes on "another" vacation in two weeks for a month.

How do you like the way the Democrats run Congress?

In 2008 the American people WILL make serious changes.

[rharrin1]

McCain gets back to Washington on Wednesday from his latest Iraq tour. If McCain hopes to rescue his faltering bid for the White House, he will have to drop his support for Bush's failed war. If he's smart (and thusfar, the evidence doesn't suggest that he is), he'll start the process on Wednesday. Were he to do that, watch more Republicans join the Democrats in trying to get the US out of the disaster of Bush's unnecessary, illegal and failed war. This could be a good month. For the US and for the rest of mankind.

Posted by cdfoxtrot at 04:51 PM : Jul 09, 2007

He will tell us of another safe street to walk on.

The longer the occupation goes we see less and less enemy as the republican right wing think more and more about their cushy jobs. They are to stupid to realize that they waited to long.