"Support for Kerry's Speech" by Tom Hayden

[LittleClarkie]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/support-for-kerry-speech_b_9632.html

Over at the Huffington Post:

RESPONSE TO JOHN KERRY GEORGETOWN SPEECH THIS WEEK

I would hope the Senator will call for hearings and discussion on an exit strategy followed by a Senate resolution, but his proposals are ice-breakers in the official discussion in the Senate chamber. As I understand the specific proposals:

- emphasizing the primacy of a political settlement. The reference to the report of the Iraqi Sovereignty Committee is the first such reference by a national figure or reporter.

- the acknowledgement that a political solution is only possible if the Iraqis see the possibility of an American withdrawal is good, certainly far better than the usual notion that we should seek a political solution while continuing to pursue military victory.

- an international conference including “Iraq's neighbors” is good, although I would urge the inclusion of the Iraqi opposition and seek the authorization of the United Nations.

- setting a 12-15 timetable for a “majority of our combat troops” to withdraw is a move in the right direction and may turn out to be realistic. But I think it should be formulated by the Senator as an initial withdrawal by Christmas, a de-escalation of offensive operations in early 2006 after the Iraqi elections, a withdrawal of all US guard and reservists in 2006, the rest out in 2007 Getting into debates about “now” or one year from now is secondary to the question of whether we are planning a full withdrawal or not.

[LittleClarkie]

1. Nuthin?

Aw shucks.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. You are late by 24 hours

it was the topic of discusion, derision, et al yesterday

[LittleClarkie]

4. And a dollar short

Ah, thanks. Missed it yesterday

[LittleClarkie]

6. Hrm. I did a search and nobody posted a thread

was the discussion hidden in one of the other Kerry speech threads?

[blm]

7. Maybe she meant Hayden was late to speak out when DU had already

weighed in on the speech itself.

Personally, I always am interested in what Hayden has to say, because he's a lefty who also understands the difficulty in bridging political gaps and the enormous effort it takes.

With Hayden advocating for other Dem lawmakers to join Kerry on this, it should bode well for the plan itself.

[blm]

3. Hayden sees what I see...it's DOABLE. No plans offered so far have been

DOABLE in a way that both sides can see their way into agreement.

Kerry has taken the time and consulted with UN, ally leaders, on the ground Iraq commanders, antiwar spokespeople, and others and has submitted a DOABLE plan. not perfect for any side, but DOABLE.

[jillan]

5. I am so happy that Kerry is speaking out on this.

Finally a senator with a real plan to take on the mess
that bushiter has created.

Kerry!