Democrats & Republicans torn over Iraq endgame

[kpete]

Congress torn over Iraq endgame

Call to withdraw troops is splitting House Democrats - but even Republicans are putting pressure on the White House.

By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON – Rep. John Murtha's call for the withdrawal of US troops in Iraq is roiling both parties on the war - and intensifying a debate that is rapidly moving beyond the capacity of party leaders to control.

The fracture lines are most acute for the Democrats. Their two House leaders are divided by Mr. Murtha's proposal. And their party's chairman, Howard Dean, spurred controversy this week by suggesting that victory in Iraq is not possible. Some Democrats fear that stand may undermine their party's claim to be strong on national defense - and weaken their prospects to make gains in next year's midterm elections.


But most Republicans, meanwhile, weren't rushing to President Bush's defense, as he rolled out two big speeches in as many weeks defending the administration's record on a war that polls suggest has lost the support of most voters.

Underneath the public (and private) rifts in both parties, there's a growing consensus in Congress that the White House must be more concrete in defining what constitutes victory in Iraq - and more forthcoming in the metrics needed to measure progress.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/1209/p01s01-uspo.html

[Hamlette]

1. I am getting sick of statements like these. . .

"Some Democrats fear that stand may undermine their party's claim to be strong on national defense - and weaken their prospects to make gains in next year's midterm elections."

I wish people would take stands based on what's right. If that is what the Dems are doing, then they should loudly correct the press by saying "we are not looking to 2006 or 2008 for our party, we are looking to 3006 for our country and we are very worried."