42 Democrats Vow a Drawdown in Iraq If They Win Seats

[Demeter]

Source: Washington Post

By Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 28, 2008; A03



More than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq that would leave only a security force in place to guard the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Rejecting their party leaders' assertions that economic troubles have become the top issue on voters' minds, leaders of the coalition of 38 House and four Senate candidates pledged to make immediate withdrawal from Iraq the centerpiece of their campaigns.

"The people inside the Beltway don't seem to get how big an issue this is," said Darcy Burner, a repeat candidate who narrowly lost to Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) in 2006.

The group's 36-page plan does not set a specific deadline for when all combat troops must be out of Iraq. "Begin it now, do it as safely as you can and get everyone out," Burner said...The starkest difference between the group's proposal, dubbed a "Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq," and those embraced by many senior Democrats and the party's presidential candidates is that it rejects the idea of leaving U.S. troops on the ground to train Iraqi security forces or engage in anti-terrorism operations. The group instead calls for a dramatic increase in regional diplomacy and the deployment of international peacekeeping forces, if necessary.

One of the signatories, Donna F. Edwards, who bested Rep. Albert R. Wynn in his Prince George's County-centered district in the Democratic primary on Feb. 12, said the candidates are offering "real leadership." She also gave credit to "some in the Congress who are prepared to demonstrate the political will" to end the war, signaling that she disagrees with Democratic leaders who have been thwarted in their legislative efforts to reshape President Bush's Iraq policies...The antiwar candidates include several challengers who are highly touted by Democratic leaders, including Burner and Eric Massa, who is running a second race against Rep. John R. "Randy" Kuhl Jr. (R-N.Y.). A few are running in Democratic-leaning districts and, should they win their primaries, are likely to win in November. Many more are, for now, longer-shot candidates running against veteran Republican incumbents.






Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/27/AR2008032702963_pf.html

[slackmaster]

1. Draw down

[OffWithTheirHeads]

3. They don't allow that at my range.

A quick look at the bullet marks in the ceiling explains why.

[Bright Eyes]

2. Fool me once....

I'm not buying this for a second. Will they end the war, like they promised to do in 2006?

[Demeter]

5. These Are Longshot Challengers, for the Most Part

Trying to make DINOs extinct!

[LiberalFighter]

4. Won't do any good if McCain is elected President.

[scratchy]

6. Fuck them, is too late

[TheCowsCameHome]

7. ...........until they take the oath of office.

Then the promises suddenly change.

[OhioChick]

8. Promises, Promises

:eyes:

[Voltaire99]

9. Blah blah blah. Heard it all before.

You guys have done a bang-up job opposing Bushism since the last election, and the one before it, and the one before it.

Once wimps, always wimps.

[Systematic Chaos]

10. Wow, the cynicism in the responses to this OP really tells a story.

Sadly, I'm forced to agree with the lot of you much as I'd rather not. :(

[gratuitous]

11. More like this, please

Watch donations and support go up for these folks. Contrary to popular belief, politicians aren't completely stupid. While 42 candidates isn't really very many, other candidates will reconsider their position when they see these candidates get higher poll numbers and draw more donations. You all are donating to candidates who (at the very least) say the right things, aren't you?

I don't much care about the mechanics, or if someone adopts a "get out of Iraq now" position just because it's politically expedient. As long as it gets us out of Iraq. Now.

[mbperrin]

14. Anyone and any reason who gets us out

is good. I don't need more details. Immediate out and end this disgrace!

[humbled_opinion]

12. Why Now?

Apparently Merika is warming to the success from the surge and the Iraqis are fighting their own battles now so why pull the troops now? :sarcasm:

[ohio2007]

13. More bull shit....same people

said they were going to cut war funding if elected.....
<crickets>

throw those bums out also