House Votes To Begin Troop Pullout

Senate Expected To Vote As Early As Wednesday; Veto Threat Looms

(CBS/AP)  Iraq has achieved only spotty military and political progress toward a democratic society, the Bush administration conceded Thursday in an unenthusiastic assessment that war critics quickly seized on as the House voted to withdraw U.S. troops by spring.

The measure passed 223-201 in the Democratic-controlled House despite a veto threat from President Bush, who has ruled out any change in war policy before September.

"The security situation in Iraq remains complex and extremely challenging," the administration report concluded. The economic picture is uneven, it added, and the government has not yet enacted vital political reconciliation legislation.

The unsatisfactory grades include failure to pass laws to share oil revenue, to reduce sectarian violence and to purge militia members from the police, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Jim Axelrod.

As many as 80 suicide bombers per month cross into the country from Syria, said the interim assessment, which is to be followed by a fuller accounting in September from Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in the region.

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PDF: White House Iraq Report

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Results in Iraq are judged "less than satisfactory" in part because Iraqi troops are not even-handed, tending to split along sectarian lines, reports CBS News correspondent Allen Pizzey from Baghdad.

Talk of U.S. troops pulling out quickly strikes fear in the hearts of Iraqi politicians, Pizzey adds.

"I think the result is damaging the reputation of the United States world-wide," said Tariq al-Hashemi, Iraq's vice president. "At the same time creating a possibility that my country might slide into civil war or to a security chaos."

A resolute President Bush pushed aside the mixed progress report on Iraq, declaring he will not yield to mounting pressure to leave, adds Axelrod.

"I believe we can succeed in Iraq, and I know we must," the president said at a White House news conference at which he stressed the interim nature of the report.

Describing a document produced by his administration at Congress' insistence, he said there was satisfactory progress by the Iraqi government toward meeting eight of 18 so-called benchmarks, unsatisfactory progress on eight more and mixed results on the others.

To his critics — including an increasing number of Republicans — he said bluntly, "I don't think Congress ought to be running the war. I think they ought to be funding the troops."

Democrats saw it differently.

A few hours after President Bush's remarks, Democratic leaders engineered passage of legislation requiring the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops to begin within 120 days, and to be completed by April 1, 2008. The measure envisions a limited residual force to train Iraqis, protect U.S. assets and fight al Qaeda and other terrorists.

The vote generally followed party lines: 219 Democrats and four Republicans in favor, and 191 Republicans and 10 Democrats opposed.

"The report makes clear that not even the White House can conclude there has been significant progress," said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

To President Bush and others who seek more time for the administration's policy to work, she said, "We have already waited too long."

Republicans sided with Mr. Bush — at least for now. The bill "undermines Gen. Petraeus, undermines the mission he has to make America and Iraq safe," said the House GOP leader, Rep. John Boehner of Ohio. "What we have here is not leadership, it's negligence."

The 25-page administration report was issued in the fifth year of a war that has claimed the lives of more than 3,600 U.S. troops and is costing U.S. taxpayers an estimated $10 billion a month.

President Bush announced last winter he was ordering thousands of additional troops to the war zone, but the full complement has only arrived in recent weeks. "The full surge in this respect has only just begun," the report said.

It warned of "tough fighting" during the summer as U.S. and Iraqi forces "seek to seize the initiative from early gains and shape conditions of longer-term stabilization."

The president sampled the report at his nationally televised session with reporters.

"Iraqis have provided the three brigades they promised for operations in and around Baghdad. And the Iraqi government is spending nearly $7.3 billion from its own funds this year to train, equip and modernize its forces," he said.

But in other areas, he added, they "have much more work to do. For example, they've not done enough to prepare for local elections or pass a law to share oil revenues."

The report was blunt at points and more opaque at others.

While Iraq has begun to show progress in providing services, "citizens nationwide complain about government corruption and the lack of essential services, such as electricity, fuel supply, sewer, water, health and sanitation."

At another point, it added, "The prerequisites for a successful militia disarmament program are not present."

In addition to citing a Syrian connection for terrorists, it also said Iran has continued to foster instability in Iraq.

It cited measured progress on the economic front. "Unemployment has eased slightly and inflation is currently abating," the report said. It omitted mention of a June 1 Pentagon report estimating an annual inflation rate at 33 percent and the Iraqi government estimate of joblessness at 17 percent.

In an evident jab at critics of Bush's war policies, the report also said progress toward political reconciliation was hampered by "increasing concern among Iraqi political leaders that the United States may not have a long term-commitment to Iraq."

Despite rising pressure from Republicans in Congress for a change in course, President Bush was adamant.

"When we start drawing down our forces in Iraq, it will (be) because our military commanders say the conditions on the ground are right, not because pollsters say it'll be good politics," he said.

Before Thursday's House vote, GOP aides said they hoped to suffer only a few party defections, but the administration faces a more volatile situation in the Senate. There, three Republicans have already said they intend to vote for a separate withdrawal measure, and several others have signed on as supporters of a bipartisan bill to implement a series of changes recommended last winter by the Iraqi Study Group.

The Senate is expected to take up the bill next week and could vote as early as Wednesday.

Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who announced his intention to seek a change in policy last week, issued a statement that said the administration's most recent assessment "confirms my worst fears that while the Iraqi government is making some progress on some benchmarks, it's not moving fast enough to make meaningful or lasting progress."

Even so, it appears the president's allies have the support to block a final Senate vote in a showdown expected next week.

If the report changed any minds in Congress, it was not immediately apparent.

"It is time for the president to listen to the American people and do what is necessary to protect this nation. That means admitting his Iraq policy has failed, working with the Democrats and Republicans in Congress on crafting a new way forward in Iraq and refocusing our collective efforts on defeating al Qaeda," said Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

But Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, said Congress has already decided it will be September before the administration's strategy can be evaluated properly. "Certainly the young soldiers and Marines risking their lives today on the streets of Baghdad and Ramadi would agree — and they deserve our patience."

[j-whitman]

Bush is withholding Pat Tillman Documents claming Executive Privilage ---- Bush Dishonors the Tillman Family, our troops & America

[j-whitman]

thatchmo62,,,, Who's going to take credit for the thousands of Iraqis that are going to be killed IF WE STAY ??? --- You Idiots Don't Think Of That

[scorpio59er]

"From the brief time we did spend occupying Iraqi territory after the war, I am certain that had we taken all of Iraq, we would have been like the dinosaur in the tar pit -- we would still be there, and we, not the United Nations, would be bearing the costs of that occupation. This is a burden I am sure the beleaguered American taxpayer would not have been happy to take on."

-- Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf
"It Doesn't Take a Hero"

[scorpio59er]

re: "Who's going to take credit for the thousands of Iraqis that are going to be killed after we leave Iraq?" etc., by thatchmo62

B-U-S-H

You know, the guy that started this whole mess.

And the modern Republican revisionist fantasy that somehow if we'd only stuck it out a bit longer in Vietnam we would've "won" is so preposterous as to not merit refutation. Tons has been written on the debacle that was Vietnam. That it is repeating itself in Iraq was inevitable the moment we set foot in that country. Anyone who had a modicum of understanding of Iraq and the ME saw what was coming. No amount of "hanging on" there will EVER change the facts.

I suggest all you goofball Bush dead-enders get down to the nearest Army recruiting station and YOU go die for the emperor.

We'll be lucky if we can pull out without Bush starting WWIII.

[randalds]

There has to be a way to leave Iraq without creating a bigger mess than already exists.

Posted by thatchmo62 at 01:24 PM : Jul 13, 2007

There isn't. There is no victory or peace to be had in this one. Many will die when we leave Iraq, but many will die if we stay and leave later. All of their deaths are on Bush's hands and Bush's alone, since he is the one who started this unwindable war.

[sshard]

This conflict in Iraq is defining America and its citizens. A majority of the American people are saying it is time to give up the ghost and bring our troops home. Yet the prsent administration stays the course. The gap between the will of the people and the government grows. Regardless of polarized veiws on Iraq, the one important thing is the will of the American people. Whether wise or foolish, the American people have made their desire known.

[thatchmo62]

Simple question. Who's going to take credit for the thousands of Iraqis that are going to be killed after we leave Iraq? The same ones that made us leave Vietnam? How many millions were killed after we left Vietnam? There has to be a way to leave Iraq without creating a bigger mess than already exists. I haven't heard any politician address that. I know comparing Iraq to Vietnam is like comparing apples to oranges, but the net effect will be the same. Thousands of more innocent people killed.

[mudrose-2009]

Quote of the day:
"Nearly five years of combat, 3,610 American lives lost, 26,500 wounded and more than $450 billion spent, and the White House says we are at the 'starting line' in Iraq?" - Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill.

Posted by gramto11

On D-DAY the casualties on American side on OMAHA BEACH was about 3000 soldiers and on the British side 400 to 600 soldiers on other beaches especially on SWORD BEACH(about 200 soldiers) and on the German side that lies between 5000 to 8000 soldiers as casualties.

58,000 in Nam.

Stats are a sad thing aren't they. Now let's see, if we don't stay on the defensive, and they get a nuke, how many Americans do you think we will lose then?

[lars008-2009]

it is fascist nazi terrorislam stupid%u2026.

non muslims of the world unite... fight against the tyranny of the fascist nazi terrorslam imperialist empire of the darkside...

I was a fanatic...I know their thinking, says former radical Islamist
By blaming the Government for our actions, those who pushed this "Blair's bombs" line did our propaganda work for us.
More important, they also helped to draw away any critical examination from the real engine of our violence: Islamic theology.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=465570&in_page_id=1770
Bless the Beasts and Children
Fascist nazi terrorslam kills every man woman and child in the village again%u2026 typical mo for terrorslam%u2026
http://www.michaelyon-online.com/wp/bless-the-beasts-and-children.htm
thank you demonic-rats%u2026
New Video From Al Qaeda Number Two
"You must be patient and steadfast," he says. "Rejoice, for victory is near, with Allah's permission, and the herds of crusaders have begun to split up and their sole concern has become searching for a way out."
http://blogs.abcnews.com/theblotter/2007/07/new-video-from-.html
Sentencing them, Judge Charles Openshaw said the men had engaged in "cyber jihad", encouraging others to kill "kuffars" or non-believers.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=070705142313.zr9n5g5g&show_article=1
45 Muslim doctors planned US terror raids
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/05/nterror405.xml

[gramto7]

Psst, did you hear the surge is working?
Posted by mudrose

Quote of the day:
"Nearly five years of combat, 3,610 American lives lost, 26,500 wounded and more than $450 billion spent, and the White House says we are at the 'starting line' in Iraq?" - Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill.

[pepperp1]

That is why the National Debt has doubled with Bu$h and Repugs in control.
Posted by Terrapin78 at 12:59 PM : Jul 13, 2007
+ report abuse

Hate to break it to you but that numbers is 600 percent increase......

[condumism]

Posted by Hwy71So

The only generals left on the ground are Bush supporters. They sure enough better be. Its their duty by law. Part of their oath as an officer in the US military.

And what about the President being sworn to uphold the US COnstitution? Since this has not happened, why then are you cons not screaming for impeachment? YOu cons pick and chose how you want reality to fit your lives in evvery manipulative way possible. HAve you ever had an independent thought that you didn't get from FOX news, or from the likes of your fellow liar Rsh Limpball?

[infidel_us]

Do-Nothing-Dems wasting more time and money. They can't govern. They can't lead. They can only function as "dingleberries" on Bush's arse.

I suppose as long as they are wasting time on this then they aren't *** the rest of us. On second thought, keep doing what you're doing! :)

[pepperp1]

What absolute ***, this is not about religion it is about power and greed. You wacko religious types that fear and hate are just easy to manipulate and you are not real curious about the facts so you are easily pimped. Christians and Jews are not any better people than non Christian or Jews get over holy than though seleves, learn to get along and accept others this war is about much more than Islam and you need to be informed for what is coming for our Nation.

[dan9111]

Just great. Now Congress can move ahead with the business of wasting of tax dollars even faster. Bush is a war-criminal, but at least he keeps the Democrats on a short leash. There is only one chance to get this right, and that won't be until Congress and Bush are in the ruins of their own blunders. We know why both parties are destroying our civilization, and it is because of narcissism and entitlement. Don't blame the voters. There is nobody worth voting for.

[johnpatrick9]

This isn't about what the "soldiers" want it is about what the PEOPLE want!/ We are a Republic and not a militarized state run by royalty and the whims of the military. We had a Revolution 231 years ago to not be dominated by the whims of the "powers that be." THE PEOPLE run this nation not the likes of these yahoos with pride and legacy to save and the PEOPLE say: This is a lying war brought on by a lying administration and it is time to end it. Impeach. Impeach. Impeach.

[lars008-2009]

I NO LONGER SUPPORT THE OCCUPATION

The real %u201Coccupation%u201D
1400 years of muslim occupation

muslims, whose home is Arabia, have occupied and brutalized for centuries.

During that time, non muslims have...

been murdered en masse
had their land stolen
their holy places destroyed and desecrated
been sold into slavery
their women raped
their children butchered

and the arabs have the nerve to whine about "occupation" when non muslims fight back

I NO LONGER SUPPORT FASCIST NAZI TERRORISLAMIC MUSLIM OCCUPATION

[mudrose-2009]

Your "the sky is falling" routine about how the Muslims will destroy America if we leave Iraq is priceless. Hilarious.

Posted by Rafterman1

See, there's one thing that bothers me about you Muslims -- you all make the assumption that we hate Muslims, which most of us do not. We don't hate Muslims, we don't hate what you believe in and if you live here, by virtue of our Constitution and First Amendment, you may worship as you please. However, when others in your religion radicalize it to the point where it becomes a destructive ideology such as the likes of an Al-Qaeda-type organization where if I may parse a pharse to match the ideology, "if you are not one of us therefore you are an indfidel and must die" and none of you stand up and say hey, you are highjacking my relgion and we will not stand for it, you dont. Silence oftentimes than not implies assent. So you become suspect to us. And my chicken little commentary is meant to be equally as hilarious as well. Hope you aren't assuming that we're afraid?

[hwy71so]

The only generals left on the ground are Bush supporters.

Posted by condumism at 10:03 AM : Jul 13, 2007

They sure enough better be. Its their duty by law. Part of their oath as an officer in the US military.

[rafterman1]

===Well, well, lookie here. Little Muslim sympathizers. Wanna know if Muddy served. Now you just take your little blankies, bow down on your mats and pray to Allah. Maybe President Harry and Senora Nancy will answer your prayers.===

Funny how you neocons are so quick to surrender to the Muslims. We lose a backwater war in Iraq and apparently that's enough for you all to convert to Islam. What, lose one minor conflict (that we never had a chance of winning in the first place) and you are ready to surrender? Good thing you guys weren't around in WWII. After Japan attacked PH and the Japanese forced us out of the Philippines, you would all have been like "oh, that's it, it's over. MacArthur left and we gave up in the Philippines, so we'll just quit and start building Shinto shrines."

Your "the sky is falling" routine about how the Muslims will destroy America if we leave Iraq is priceless. Hilarious.