Democrats Likely To Harden Anti-War Stance As “Surge” Fails and Election Year Approaches

[babylonsister]

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/23227

Democrats Likely To Harden Anti-War Stance As “Surge” Fails and Election Year Approaches
Submitted by davidswanson on Sat, 2007-06-02 19:56. Congress

By Tom Hayden

Seeking to keep pace with public opinion, key Democratic leaders will soon be considering a peace initiative including full withdrawal from Iraq, revision of the United Nations authorization, and a diplomatic offensive to engage other countries in assisting Iraq.

The proposal represents a sharp difference with the Iraq Study Group – and current Democratic – suggestion that combat troops be withdrawn by next spring while leaving tens of thousands of American troops to train the Iraqi armed forces. The notion of “training” a largely-dysfunctional and sectarian Iraqi army, in the absence of a sweeping overhaul of the Baghdad government, is viewed increasingly as unrealistic. The pressure of the anti-war movement and restless public opinion is also propelling these strategists to recommend a stronger withdrawal position than the Congressional majority and presidential candidates currently are taking.

The position of the Bush White House is unpredictable but Pentagon generals in Iraq are calling for a much lengthier counter-insurgency campaign and the brokering of a South Korean-style outcome in Iraq. Not only does this scenario appear fanciful on the ground, but it might doom any supportive candidates in the 2008 election. That would position the uncompromising hardliners to blame the Democrats for “losing” Iraq in the 2012 election cycle.

The new thinking will be reflected in a coming report from the Center for American Progress , a think tank led by former White House chief of staff John Podesta. CAP’s previous two reports have had significant impacts on Congressional thinking, especially on the Democratic side. The CAP proposal is expected to go beyond their previous recommendations for redeployment of American combat forces over a 12-to-18 month period. The new emphasis will be on sharply cutting back the American training program, perhaps to those needed to protect a diplomatic presence.

The proposal for full withdrawal would be accompanied by a rewriting of the UN authorization to one enlisting the international community to help stabilize Iraq as American troops pull out. Several countries have offered troops to fill such a security vacuum but only on the condition that the US announces that its forces leave.

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[Pharaoh]

1. Democrats Likely To Harden Anti-War Stance As “Surge” Fails and Election Year Approaches

yeah, right...............oh BTW I've got a bridge I'd like to sell you in Brooklyn.

[IndianaGreen]

10. As if the failure of the surge was not predicted to fail as previous surges

Do they think we are that stupid to give them another pass?

[Totally Committed]

2. But, until then, the dying continues???

Shame on them.

TC

[Phredicles]

3. Lucy likely to let Charlie Brown kick football this time. No, really...

I think the world of Tom Hayden. But I've come to the conclusion that our Democratic leadershit is only marginally more interested in public opinion than Herr Decider.

[TomClash]

4. Nothing like missing the point

Bush doesn't care, the Empire doesn't care, no one really cares - neither the American people nor the Congressional Dems will go to the barricades over this and Bush knows it. He's going to try to win the war until the clock runs out.

[AndyTiedye]

5. We Can Dream…

But in an election year, they will be more succeptible than ever to
What do you think is for, anyway?

[Forkboy]

6. Makes you wonder what they'd do if there wasn't an election coming up.

[Mojambo]

7. I believe they will

Where there is political gain to be made, the Democrats will fight hard.

It's when the prize is simply principle that they have trouble going full speed.

[BlueStater]

8. Yeah right

Until they actually to something fucking significant to end the war, I'm not believing anything they say.

[IndianaGreen]

9. The only hardening among Democrats is either in their arteries or due to Viagra

They pissed their chance away when they caved in to Bush on funding the war.

[MarianJack]

11. Its Not Hard To Harden...

...a marshmellow!