Sensing a Shift, Reid Will Press for an Iraq Exit

[TexasLawyer]

Source: NYT

Sensing a Shift, Reid Will Press for an Iraq Exit

By CARL HULSE and JEFF ZELENY
Published: July 8, 2007

WASHINGTON, July 7 — Democratic voters are not the only ones bitter over their party’s failure to use new Congressional power to force a withdrawal of troops from Iraq. Senator Harry Reid, the occasionally obstreperous Democratic leader, is seething as well.

“We haven’t done enough,” said Mr. Reid of Nevada, a onetime moderate who has evolved into one of the party’s most fervent critics of the war.

That view captures not only Mr. Reid’s sentiment but also the shifting political dynamic on the war, as public frustration remains high, the conflict dominates the presidential campaign landscape and senior Republicans have chosen to break with President Bush even as the administration has urged patience.

Sensing momentum from the new Republican defections, Mr. Reid and other leading Democrats intend to force a series of votes over the next two weeks on proposals to withdraw troops and limit spending, in an effort to put new pressure on the administration and put Republicans on the record. Democrats are increasingly confident they can assemble majority opposition to administration policies.

<snip>

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/08/washington/08reid.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

[youngdem]

1. YES. Perfect.

Let's see what these new Repuke defectors on the war REALLY think about the war. Let's put them on record on a simple withdrawal bill.

This will expose their 'defections' as nothing more than a cynical attempt to play both sides of the issue that is flogging their reelection bids in 08, while attempting to neuter the Dems on the issue by floating this bullshit the Repukes are floating about the deal for a pre-election drawdown in exchange for permanent bases and a continued war.

Cynical bastards.

I sure hope Reid follows through on this. It sure would be nice to have a handy list for 08 for who is for and who is against ending this war.

[cally]

2. Wow...I hope it works

I wasn't expecting this so soon.

[ananda]

5. so soon?!!

They were elected to end the war last November!!!

[cally]

9. Yes but the Reps can filibuster in the Senate

so we need Republicans to vote to end the war. I expected that it would take until September.

[struggle4progress]

26. Let them filibuster.

[Tesha]

46. You keep saying this, but it has been pointed out to you that it's not true.

> Yes but the Reps can filibuster in the Senate
> so we need Republicans to vote to end the war

You keep saying this, but it has been pointed out
to you that it's not true: all that is needed to end
the war is for a *SIMPLE MAJORITY* of the
members of the House attending that session to
vote to vote "NO" on further funding of the war.

Defunding the war can't be fillibustered.

It can't be vetoed.

It can't be overturned in a court.

It would end the war as soon as the current funding
runs out.

The Democrats passed on that opportunity and gave
Bush another half-year or so of the war.

Tesha

[cally]

47. Umm, it's the first time I posted this

Second, defunding the war is the next step. Somehow the Dems need to pass funding to bring the troops home while still ending the war. At this point, Bush would veto any legislation like that. If Dems just cut off funding then how will the troops and equipment get home? Before you ask, they cannot use the money already allocated unless the funding bill specifies that it can be used to bring the troops home.

I want to end this fiasco as much as anyone but I refuse to only post feel good, naive statements in order to appear as a liberal. The troops will need funding to come home in a safe fashion. I don't see a way to do that, yet.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Anyone know where there is a list of Senators up for re-election?

Perhaps some pointed letters about their positions on these votes as they come up would be in order.

[Xipe Totec]

8. Google is your friend

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_elections,_2008

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

16. Thanks!

You've inspired me to start another thread, listing the names of those up for re-election or an open seat. I just couldn't figure out what terms to put in the Google search to find out. Glad you knew! :hi:

[Xipe Totec]

22. Great idea

glad I could help

:hi:

[tularetom]

Where the hell has he been since November 2006?

Now that some repubs have begun to jump ship, brave sir Harry comes out of the closet as an opponent of the administrations iraqsterfuck. Does he not read the papers, watch TV, or talk to his fuckin constituents for crissakes?

But I'm happy to hear that he's now "seething".

[Tarheel_Dem]

37. Not to stick up for Harry, but we all know they didn't have the

60 votes required to override King George's veto. We still don't know that they have them, but Sen. Reid must know something now that he didn't know a couple of months ago. I wish we had a super majority in the Senate, but we just don't, especially when you factor in Joe Liebermann.

[Zhade]

43. Once again, to bust that myth: THERE WAS NO NEED TO SEND A SPENDING BILL *AT ALL*.

NT!

[defendandprotect]

44. No need to give them $$/Deauthorize war and stop funding--!!!!

That's the way they got out of VN --

[Warpy]

4. Congress is reactive, never proactive

so the time to raise hell is NOW.

We need to get OUT of Iraq and get the insurance companies OUT of healthcare.

[Dr.Phool]

6. I think he's sensing a fundraising drop.

Anytime I get a call from the DSCC, DCCC, or DNC, I tell them that I'm sorry, but when the stop the war and impeachment hearings start, I'll give again.

[Cookie wookie]

24. I was thinking the same thing. Wonder if that is it, after all

they've been sending out fundraising letters. I've been trashing them. I intend to give to candidates that stand up for what's right, not what's maybe possibly could be somewhat expedient.

Anyway I don't care what might turn the tide, as long as it turns for real, not just rhetorically.

[pat_k]

36. Instead of trash. . .

keep a red Sharpie and a few stamps handy.

Write "No Impeachment; No Money" or some such, and send back.

An easy way to send a message. And if you are getting solicitations, you've probably given in the past. When reliable contributors drop off, the stats show it, and it definitely gets noticed.

[pat_k]

35. Red Sharpie, "No Impeachment, No Money"

I've been getting, marking, and returning a couple solicitations a week.

I'm sure I'm not alone.

They KNOW what the Anti-Bush majority wants them to do, and yet they persist in finding some "alternative" that will "placate the base."

Their "alternatives" do more harm than good. Half-measures backfire. The lowest Congressional approval in a decade says that loud and clear, but the politically deaf and dumb leadership just can't see it.

[calimary]

39. GOOD! Me, too!

I've got a few that came in this week. Guess what they're gonna get back?

[Frustratedlady]

7. I hope they don't back down.

Domenici could be the turning point that will start the snowball rolling down the hill. You can't hide from your constituents when you are home, and I'm sure they are getting an ear full, this summer.

Grab `em while they're hot!

[OzarkDem]

10. GOPers in Congress taking the lead now

they seem to be changing their opinion, but also may be trying to take the lead on getting out of Iraq. Judd Gregg is the latest to announce, and he's a wily SOB. I wouldn't trust any "alternate" plan they come up with.

Dems need to stay in front on this one, I hope they're smart and strong enough.

[trashcanistanista]

11. Give 'em HELL Harry!! YES!!!!

Get them on record, and let's get the hell out of Iraq!!!

[pat_k]

34. Only impeachment forces Members of Congress to choose:

American Principle or Fascist Principle.

The thugs in the White House will only respond to lethal force.

Impeachment is the only "lethal" weapon in the Congressional arsenal.

All else is sham.

With every half-measure, Reid and Pelosi hand the Republicans a stick to beat them with. With every half-measure, Republicans accuse the Dems of impotent gamesmanship, and tragically, they are right. Like they did with the unenforceable "timetable." Like they did with the "no confidence" vote on Gonzales.

When will they ever learn?

For the sake of the nation, better be soon.

[ShortnFiery]

12. Is Reid's wife still a functioning lobbyist? If so, why is he our Majority Leader? n/t

[rodeodance]

13. well, we will see if those Repugs who 'go against Bush" come through??

[Arugula Latte]

14. Gee, Harry, what was your first clue?

So you won't respond to Democratic voters, but you'll light a fire under your own ass if the Republicans inspire you to?

[mzmolly]

15. Reid said that he intended to keep pressing this issue, in fact he noted "July" in May.

As such, I don't like the headline, but I'm glad to see the continued fight.

[OwnedByFerrets]

17. Just the same as ever.........

they cant blow their noses unless the repugs say its ok first.

[waleska]

18. Pretending not to want a war that you need is a pretty old trick n/t

[Tarheel_Dem]

38. Not quite sure what your implication is?

Are you saying that Harry Reid "needs" this war?

[waleska]

41. War stabilizes wages

Wars are how nations get built. It is no coincidence that statesmen who claim they want a "smaller government" are also the greatest proponents of war. War.. is big government

When England's market crashed and Austria filed for bankruptcy in 1811, the House of Windsor was going by the name House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

Thomas Leiper had just laid the first railroad track in the United States and the The first steamboat had just reached New Orleans from Pittsburgh.

Lord Nathan Rothschild offered the following investment advice:

"Buy to the sound of cannons"

At the risk of sounding anti-French, historically the French have done a terrific job of starting wars for American railroad and factory workers to fight. By the War of 1812, Eleuthere Irenne du Pont owned America's largest black powder mill and along with heavy copper sheeting for warships, Paul Revoire & Sons were also cannon makers.. in need of a war.

[paparush]

19. SHIFT?? Damn, fuck, hell, Harry!! I was in DC on January 27th, 2007.

Those hundreds of thousands of people (and 15 counter demonstrators)had already SHIFTED! It was a goddamn tidal wave. A friggin tsunami of anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-Cheney. THAT was the time to get out in front and L E A D!

Better late than never I guess....

[firefox_fan]

25. He's talking about Senators, not citizens....

Without Senate votes what people want is irrelevant.

[Robbien]

20. What Reid really proposes is to have a gradual drawdown of SOME troops

on a staggered timetable of course leaving troops sufficient to protect American bases and Exxon's oil.

There is no real change here.

[diamidue]

28. yep. this is getting sooo predictable. n/t

[pat_k]

33. The writing was on the wall the day Pelosi issued her "off the table" edict.

Thugs only respond to "lethal" force.

Impeachment is the only "lethal" weapon in the Congressional arsenal.

All else is sham.

[Warren Stupidity]

21. Sensing a shit, Harry takes a dump.

Put all your hope in these clowns and get dumped on again. The war is going to end when we get our asses out in the streets in such numbers that they actually pay attention.

[leftist.]

23. This post made me LOL

Like just about everyone else at this point, I'm extremely unhappy with Harry. I was dubious about him at first but figured I'd give him a chance and as far as I'm concerned he catastrophically blew that chance. I'm unfamiliar with Senate rules regarding its leadership but I'd like to see some form of a "No Confidence" vote on Harry and eventually (but quickly) see him replaced.

[Doctor_J]

27. Yep, that's our "leader"

waiting til a dozen or so prominent Repukes sign on. It sucks having no media to carry the ball on a daily basis.

[pat_k]

32. Find a parade, jump in front.

. . .is apparently what passes for leadership in beltway Democratic circles.

Except of course when it comes to impeachment. The impeachment parade is going strong. The politically deaf and dumb Democratic "leadership" jumped in front, but they're holding a Big Fat Impeachophobic STOP sign.

Their relentless efforts to stop the parade have had some success, but as hard as they've been trying, they haven't been able to drive the "impeach Bush" numbers below 45%.

Incredible.

They'd better exchange the Stop sign for an impeacher's baton soon or the Republicans will beat them to the punch.

[Doctor_J]

40. Yes, the GOP will already be able to run as the "We ended the war" party

If Harry & Nancy wait much longer, the Repukes will also be able to give Cheney the boot and claim that they were the ones that "cleaned out the corruption". The Dems' only two issues will be "we're not Bush" (which will also work for the GOP), and "Our candidate is a black/woman".

This congress has been very disappointing.

[mvd]

29. onetime moderate?

I don't see how it's not moderate to be passionately against this war. I sense that more pressure will be put on, especially with more Repukes defecting.

[yojon]

30. Good thing Harry is following the Repugs' lead

wouldnt want him to be listening to what democrats have been screaming for years.. Grrrrr....

[pat_k]

31. Only impeachment can stop the outlaws in the WH. . .

. . .from doing exactly as they please.

Bush and Cheney have no qualms about doing ANYTHING to advance their agenda. The law doesn't stop them. Getting caught doesn't stop them. They will only be stopped when they are FORCED to stop.

Only impeachment is capable of forcing them to stop.

If Pelosi and Reid don't get it soon, they'll just keep getting steamrolled by the thugs. And each time they get steamrolled, more Americans write them off. They prove their impotence and weakness enough times and they'll be watching, wondering what went wrong, as they lose the WH and control of Congress.

The writing is on the wall. Congressional approval is already in free fall.

[Zhade]

42. Sure. We'll see.

Put up or FUCKING SHUT UP, asshole.

[Javaman]

45. I hope this gets the troops out but I fear it will be nothing more than more acting in the global

passion play.