E-mail from Carl Levin about new resolution

[SharonRB]

Dear Sharon,

George Bush's strategy in Iraq has failed. It is long past time to change it, and with the Democrats' takeover of the Senate last November the momentum is building to do just that.

That's why a number of us are drafting binding legislation which would modify the broad authority Congress gave the president four years ago to execute the war in Iraq. Our proposal is based on the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group and would change our mission from one of combat to a limited one that supports the efforts of the Iraqis to govern and secure themselves. Our proposal would keep us out of an Iraqi civil war, and limit our mission to training and logistics support of the Iraqi military, to counterterrorism, and to helping the Iraqis secure their international borders. We would set a goal of March of 2008 for the removal of all our combat troops.

Our resolution wouldn't cut funding for the troops in Iraq. We will continue to give our men and women serving in Iraq everything they need to protect themselves and carry out their missions. Our differences lie with the policies of George Bush in his role as commander-in-chief.

Four years of ever increasing military build-up has not resulted in Iraq's leaders reaching the political settlement that is essential to ending the sectarian violence and defeating the insurgency. Our plan would change that by putting pressure on the Iraqi leaders to take responsibility for the future of their country.

The fundamental issue we must decide in the coming weeks is whether we want American troops in the middle of an Iraqi civil war. Four years of George Bush's failed strategy have led us to the brink of chaos, but it is not too late to take action.

A majority of the House of Representatives, including many Republicans, has already voted to change course. I know we have a majority of the Senate, again including some prominent Republicans, ready to do the same in the Senate. However, the Senate Republican leadership has been blocking this vital debate for weeks so that 60 votes are required to end the filibuster.

In the near future, we'll need the help of committed Democrats like you to make sure George Bush and his allies don't stand in the way of changing course in Iraq any longer. The Senate Democrats can achieve real results in Iraq. I hope we can count on your support.

Sincerely,

Sen. Carl Levin

[INdemo]

1. This resolution is dead on arrival?

The constitutional authority between the executive branch and the legislative branch will be debated over this legislation between now and dooms day.Congress is showing the American public that they are listening but it will could be well into 2008 before this issue is settled. Even some Democrats have questioned this legislation proposal as to whether or not they have the authority to override the Presidents authority previously authorized.
I hope it passes and this president is bound by the Senates action but I dont think it has a chance.

[SharonRB]

5. It probably is DOA, but they need to keep pushing as much as they can

I don't see how they'll get 60 votes for cloture.

When the appropriations bill comes up, that seems to be the only place they have any control, as it can't be filibustered.

[robinlynne]

2. You can count on my support Senator! But I want to cut funding as well.

We are not afraid of making neocons angry.

[patrice]

3. Thanks, I will use my version of this verbiage and hope for

something stronger later.

[peacetalksforall]

4. You will need whirlwind action, Senator. The same old timing isn't

going to work.

[emulatorloo]

6. kick n/t