Sen. Levin (D-MI) Announces Plans to Negotiate With GOP on Iraq

[babylonsister]

Levin seeks negotiation on Iraq with GOP
By Manu Raju
September 28, 2007

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) vowed Friday to resurrect negotiations with a key Republican to forge a bipartisan compromise on Iraq, after the chamber voted to shut down debate on a defense policy bill and effectively delay the fight over the war until at least next month.

Talks between Levin and Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) broke down Thursday shortly before the Senate voted 89–6 to end debate on the $460 billion defense authorization bill, which since July had been the prime target for Democratic efforts to attach measures that would have changed the course of the Iraq war. The Senate could send the defense bill to a conference committee with the House as early as Monday.

Over the course of the debate, Republicans blocked repeated Democratic efforts to attach an amendment — co-sponsored by Levin and Rhode Island Democrat Jack Reed — to redeploy most troops out of Iraq in nine months. After coming up short, Levin sought to woo centrist Republicans, including Voinovich, by softening the requirement of redeploying troops into a goal of withdrawing the U.S. military from Iraq.

Voinovich, along with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), proposed that the nine-month goal be extended to 15 months to avoid interference with the 2008 presidential election, according to Levin and aides.

“I believe that would be introducing a political element into what is a bipartisan effort,” Levin said Friday, adding that extending the timeframe would be “unacceptable to most Democrats.”

more...

http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/levin-seeks-negotiation-on-iraq-with-gop-2007-09-28.html

[ShortnFiery]

1. Negotiate with republicans = Capitulate.

DAMN! :grr:

[ClassWarrior]

2. Yeah, but not to negotiate with Rape-Publicans = gridlock.

And therein lies the rub.

NGU.

[ShortnFiery]

7. It never stopped the republican majority "sticking to their guns."

This is B.S. :(

[jillan]

3. Good. As long as he sticks to his principles and doesn't sell out.

It can be done. Look at the Biden amendment.

They have got to find a way to work together or another year will go by with nothing getting done in Iraq = more deaths, injuries and money.

[bullimiami]

4. 460 BILLION?? Defense spending before Bush was around 320 B / Year

WTF? Bush has to be the most successful republican in the history of the US.

Does this include war funding for a change or is that going to be extra again? Another 200 Billion on top of this.

Gold plated lobster and Champagne with diamonds for the rich. Pennies to be split among the rest of us and we are financing the entire operation.

[WCGreen]

5. YEa we sure wouldn't want this to happen....

Voinovich, along with Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), proposed that the nine-month goal be extended to 15 months to avoid interference with the 2008 presidential election, according to Levin and aides.

Since Lamar! and Lizzie are both up for Re-Election...

How convenient...

Let the soldiers sit and stew through another Hot Hot Hot summer in Iraq just so Lamar! and Lizzie can point to a bill and say I was for the reduction of troops...

Until I had to be...

This is just beyond the pale...

[babylonsister]

6. It's positively gross. And sit and stew IF they make it there that long. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. Let Dems know LOUD AND CLEAR...

that getting out men and women out is your priority! Contact info for all Dem candidates and honchos is here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x1932851

No more bullshitting, Dems.