Hagel (R-Ne) and Nelson (D-Ne) call for change on Iraq

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

BY JAKE THOMPSON
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — Senate Democrats, ignoring President Bush's repeated calls to wait until September, this week will try to force changes in Iraq strategy with two key votes on legislation proposed by Nebraska senators.

One plan, offered by Republican Chuck Hagel, Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., and seven other Republicans and Democrats, calls for U.S. combat troops to begin leaving Iraq within four months and be out by April 30, 2008.

The second plan, pushed by Nebraska Democrat Ben Nelson and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, would set a March 31, 2008, goal for shifting U.S. soldiers out of Baghdad. That plan would have Americans focus on protecting Iraq's borders from entry by foreign insurgents, on training Iraqi forces and on fighting al-Qaida terrorists in the western Anbar province.

Nelson said he disagrees with Bush's troop surge. He said the United States cannot end the civil war raging between Sunni and Shiite groups in Iraq.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2798&u_sid=10079357

[Tyler Durden]

1. Ben Nelson can suck my dick.

No offense, but when he stops obstructing the agenda of the Democratic party (whatever THAT is, but hey) like JOMENTUM Jr., THEN I will start taking his stupid ass seriously.

[acmavm]

2. No, I'm sure you meant to be offensive, and very RIGHTFULLY so...

Ben Nelson is a disgrace to the party, to humanity, and a quisling traitor to every man, woman, and child who wants what is best for our country.

[Tyler Durden]

3. I meant to folks HERE, but not to Ol' Nelson.

He can take as much offense as he likes, the asshole.

[rodeodance]

4. Nelson voted against the Webb amendment!!

[acmavm]

5. There's no way to describe Nelson, or to explain what motivates

they guy except to say that he's one of the worst of the arrogant bastards who have it firmly planted in their head that it's what HE wants and thinks is important that matters, not the people he's supposed to represent. But I can't quite figure out who the bastard is supposed to be representing, considering that he votes along republican party lines over 90% of the time.

[Divine Discontent]

6. sounds like a...

ol' curmudgeon. when you got Hagel voting to the LEFT of you on the war, you're not a Democrat. Well, I believe as time marches on, these outdated old men slowly get replaced by more progressive minds one by one, well, I like to believe that, at least. :)

[Inuca]

7. Actually....

... there are not many that vote to the left of Hagel on Iraq. Some, but not many. Nelson on the other hand looks and behaves like a sleazy used car salesman (with apologoes to used car salesmen eveywhere).

[Divine Discontent]

8. this is true...

I gotta remember this is Hagel's appeal within our party, that he is more against the continuance of this invasion than a good amount of named Democratic senators and a certain despised independent.

[TwilightGardener]

13. No, I think he voted for it.

[TwilightGardener]

9. So Nelson wants troops out of Baghdad, with a non-binding "goal",

and Hagel wants troops out of IRAQ with a BINDING timeline--the "R" is more staunchly committed to ending the war than the "D" in red Nebraska. Things are officially topsy-turvy. Nelson is calculating a way to still curry favor with BushCo, while not upsetting his party--he makes me sick. Hagel needs to lend him some integrity.

[mzmolly]

10. The second plan sounds like Murtha's plan of last year?

The good news is that both plans are moving towards an exit. Of course I prefer the first.

[KittyWampus]

11. Hagel & Nelson should put their votes where their mouths are.

[TwilightGardener]

12. They have been, actually. But I lose respect for Nelson for trying to

go "cautious" here, instead of following Hagel's lead.