E&P: Going Where Editorials Fear to Tread?

[133724]

WASHINGTON Sen. Richard Lugar, a senior Republican and a reliable vote for President Bush on the war, said Monday that Bush's Iraq strategy was not working -- and that the U.S. should downsize the military's role. Other key GOP senators joined him today.

“I hail what he did,” said Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.), former chairman of the Armed Services Committee. “It shows the strength that each of us individually must bring to this debate.” Warner said that he too feels the September reporting date is too long to wait to revise U.S. war policy.

Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) sent a letter to Bush on Tuesday asserting that the president should adopt a policy of "responsible military disengagement with a corresponding increase non-military support" to help the United States achieve a stable and democratic Iraq. Voinovich warned that the window of opportunity for enacting such a plan is limited, but added: "However, I am also concerned that we are running out of time."


...


Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said troops levels should be reduced “as soon as it is realistic to do it.”

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003603625

[tnlurker]

1. Sen Alexander of Tn

Is now saying that he agrees with Lugar. That is the first time I have known Alexanader to go against Bush.

Here is the headline from the Commercial Appeal in Memphis

Alexander joins revolt on Iraq

WASHINGTON -- Amid a sudden Republican rebellion against President Bush's Iraq policy, Sen. Lamar Alexander said Tuesday that Sen. Richard Lugar's speech suggesting an end to the troop surge and a new approach in Iraq is "an important indication that the train is about to move in a different direction."