"54% think Petraeus's plan for removing troops is the right pace, or even too quick."

[rodeodance]

........As the Democrats struggled, Republicans sounded emboldened. The public had grown more patient on Iraq, they argued, after a report last week from Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, showing security improvements, and after Bush's announcement that he would begin to slowly withdraw troops.

"It is inconceivable that we in Congress would end this strategy just as it is beginning to show real results," said Sen. John McCain (Ariz.), a Republican presidential candidate.

GOP Senate offices circulated the results of a Gallup poll released this week that showed 54 percent of those surveyed think Petraeus's plan for removing troops is the right pace, or even too quick. One-third of those surveyed viewed the withdrawal as moving too slowly.

Democrats, meanwhile, have already turned their attention to other legislative vehicles, including the fiscal 2008 defense spending bill and a supplemental war funding request that could reach $200 billion. House Democrats have warned that they may stall action on the supplemental request until early next year. And Senate Appropriations Chairman Robert C. Byrd (D-W.Va.), a staunch war opponent, has already warned that the White House will not receive a blank check on Iraq. .......

[Metta]

1. Sources, please.

The war isn't just beginning to show results. It's been an abject failure since it's inception. These people don't have running water or electricity and now they have a cholera outbreak which means things are getting worse.

[rodeodance]

3. here you go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3001505

[Metta]

5. Thanks, good article. Puts things in more perspective.

:hi: :)

[calteacherguy]

2. K&R in the interest of a DU reality-check.

Obviously, folks aren't on board with Edwards calling to withdraw 50,000 tomorrow...very irresponsible comments on his part.

[OHdem10]

4. This creates some skepticism.

On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Bill Schneider at Cnn
presented a poll survey which indicated clearly that the
only changes following Petreus Report: Some disgruntled
republicans had returned to support Bush. The GOP Base

No Democrats changed. No independents changed. Someone
at MSNBC gave a similar report.

I noticed a pattern today among pundits--and only today
did I notice this. Politically the GOP won. Reporters
and Pundits gage things by how well each party plays politics.

Just like when they report on Campaigns--Horse Race.

I agree from a political viewpoint the GOP did a better job

Bush's rating 29--means 20% support him.

I do no believe people flipped that much over the Petreus Report.

First of all, how many read it??? Most people were at work
when he presented it. They think 10 years is too short a
period to get out of Iraq??????

[Progressive Friend]

6. "54 percent" in the GOP's Gallop poll

That poll only proves that the 54% do not realize that Bush's "plan" (i.e. "Petraeus' plan") is to only withdraw 30,000 troops by next summer. That will simply bring the overall total of US troops in Iraq back to the average amount that have been there throughout the entire war (i.e. the 130-140 thousand range). Majorities in numerous other polls have supported withdrawing US troops. The "draw down" next summer will not be a real withdraw, the military is overextended and they have to bring some troops home then.