Kerry wants most U.S. troops out of Iraq within a year

[ProSense]

Kerry wants most U.S. troops out of Iraq within a year

By Alexander Harrison

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass) said Tuesday he seeks to bring most U.S. troops back from Iraq within a year.

"Success can only come from a diplomatic and political solution, not a military one," said Kerry, who told reporters he would introduce legislation soon that would set a one-year deadline for redeployment of the majority of American forces.

"The only people who believe there is a workable military solution for the conflict in Iraq is the Bush administration," the lawmaker later said in a statement, adding, "We can't pull the plug on our efforts in Iraq overnight, nor can we endlessly debate continuing the status quo into the next decade. My plan offers a rock solid deadline that forces Iraqis to step up their responsibilities while redirecting the mission of U.S. troops to training, counter-terrorism and force protection."

Snip...

The lawmaker unveiled the bill as the Senate is locked in a battle over how to proceed on Iraq. On Monday, Senate Republicans successfully prevented Democrats from moving ahead on a vote on a non-binding resolution rejecting Bush's plan to add more troops to Iraq.

Kerry strongly criticized that move, saying that Republicans were wrongly protecting Bush.

"It is not the president, it is the troops and American interests that Republicans need to protect," he said.

Just watched Kerry's Senate floor speech on C-Span, DU play by play here and here.

Definitely worth watching for a rebroadcast this evening.

Out by November 2007, press pelease here.

[PresidentObama]

1. Bring em' home John.

:applause: This is the kind of leadership we lack, and need. Thank you Senator Kerry for that speech you gave on the floor, and thanks for your leadership.

"It is not the president, it is the troops and American interests that Republicans need to protect.."

THANK YOU JOHN, YOU GET IT!!

[shain from kane]

2. Why the long face, er,...pace?

[PresidentObama]

3. What do you mean?

Keyword is within. Within a year.

[sandnsea]

5. At least he sets a date

Who else has set an actual date except Kerry & Feingold?

[blm]

7. Why the lack of decency?

BTW - logistics alone take at least 6months for ANY military drawdown and pullout, especially when you are leaving a training force and support force.

[Tom Joad]

13. Why are we leaving a training & support force?

[blm]

15. training the SECULAR govt. forces so a SECULAR govt. will have a greater chance

to govern before the Talibanization of Iraq emerges as the dominant force.

Though we would be no longer seen as occupiers, the reality remains that secular form of government will still require support, whether we like it or not.

[SoFlaJet]

4. Are there any videos up yet?

I didn't see anything on Crooks and Liars-I'd like to watch that...

[Mass]

6. Remarks prepared for delivery

As often with Kerry, the speech was quite different, including an attack on McCain and an attack on Rice that are not there, but this give a good idea of the speech.

http://www.johnkerry.com/news/releases/release.html?id=67

[ProSense]

8. Democrats to Join Veterans in Demanding Debate on Iraq Escalation

Democrats to Join Veterans in Demanding Debate on Iraq Escalation

[karynnj]

14. Shades of 1971

[smoogatz]

9. Man. How many times are you going to post this?

If this ain't spamming, I don't know what is. This story's been posted in GD more often than I get email trying to sell me viagra. You guys are relentless with this shit.

[PresidentObama]

10. Are you joking me?

Where were you when there was 99834938384 posts about Edwards house? At least this is of importance, and is news. Sorry you don't care about what Senator Kerry said today, but it's not 'spam'

[Tom Joad]

11. Why not all the troops? Why not sooner?

What are we waiting for, the troops should leave much quicker than that.
The US has lost in Iraq. Time to acknowledge that fact.

[PresidentObama]

12. See BLM's post above for your answer.

I applaud the Senator for working to set a deadline to bring our men and women home safely and soundly. We need more leadership like we're seeing from Senator Kerry!!