Why Biden Is Right (And Reid Is Wrong) On Troop Increase in Iraq

[JABBS]

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"Absent some profound political announcement . . . I can't imagine there being an overwhelming, even significant support for the president's position," he told reporters during a telephone conference call.

And of course, he's right. Conservative television pundits and radio ranters spin that only "cut and run" liberals with "San Francisco values" oppose Bush's gameplan for Iraq. But the truth is that a poll this month from CNN found just 11 percent of Americans supported the idea of sending more troops to Iraq.

Biden is going against incoming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who said earlier this month he would be open to a short-term increase in troops.

[babylonsister]

1. Reid changed his tune a few days after his Sunday appearance:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-harry-reid/the-clock-is-ticking-mr_b_36752.html

[LynneSin]

2. That's my senator

:woohoo:

Ok, he's flawed and he's not going to win the primary, but he's still an ok guy

[wisteria]

3. Just don't credit Biden, Kerry came out strong against this before Biden.

Also, Dodd and to a point, Clinton too, although she added maybe she would with a comprehensive plan backing it us, so I don't know whether this really allows her to get full credit.

[JABBS]

7. yes, but biden

has a bigger role through his committee chairmanship, no?

[Sperk]

4. I heard Reid on AAR last week say that once the Generals said

that they were against increasing the troops, that it was "off the table" as far as he was concerned.

[JABBS]

8. i'll believe it when i see it

Reid speaks in mush far too often. I agree with Rachel Maddow that he needs to start acting like a majority party leader, representing a vast American majority when it comes to Iraq.

[Jimmy52]

5. Bush is desperate

Bush is desperate! He will increase US troops in Iraq and it will make a difference but as soon as the extra GIs are gone, the country will be an even bigger blood bath.

This modern day Moses will do anything to save face.

[babylonsister]

6. Welcome to DU, Jimmy 52! nt

[Avalux]

9. Reid has changed his initial position:

Sen. Harry Reid

The Clock is Ticking, Mr. President

Frankly, I don't believe that more troops is the answer for Iraq. It's a civil war and America should not be policing a Sunni-Shia conflict. In addition, we don't have the additional forces to put in there. We obviously want to support what commanders in the field say they need, but apparently even the Joint Chiefs do not support increased combat forces for Baghdad. My position on Iraq is simple:

1. I believe we should start redeploying troops in 4 to 6 months (The Levin-Reed Plan) and complete the withdrawal of combat forces by the first quarter of 2008. (As laid out by the Iraq Study Group)

2. The President must understand that there can only be a political solution in Iraq, and he must end our nation's open-ended military commitment to that country.

3. These priorities need to be coupled with a renewed diplomatic effort and regional strategy.

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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-harry-reid/the-clock-is-ticking-mr_b_36752.html