Democrats shelve plans to force Iraqi pullout.Congressional Democrats have dramatically scaled back their plans to shape the course of the Iraq war, bowing to pressure from Republicans and conservative Democrats to pursue only nonbinding measures, at least for now, as they push to bring the troops home.
In the House, Democratic leaders now concede that they do not have enough votes to use their control over federal spending to force President Bush to begin withdrawing troops. Instead, lawmakers are drafting a far milder bill that would include guidelines for troop readiness -- requirements that the president could waive at his discretion.
In the Senate, efforts to repeal the original 2002 resolution authorizing force in Iraq have faltered as well, amid deep divisions among Democrats. Instead, Senate leaders are scrambling to find a compromise that would mandate a limited mission for US troops, but even that probably would not pass, and may not force the president's hand anyway.
With their thin majority in Congress, Democrats are now confronting the reality that finding a strong, legally binding antiwar measure that also keeps their party together may not be possible.
Riding to power...
Democrats rode to power in November in large part because of antiwar sentiment. Party leaders vowed to quickly deliver on voters' desire to end the war, and polls have suggested that the public is growing more frustrated as US involvement in Iraq grinds on.
Stalled out in two months...
Yet two months after taking control of Congress, the grand total of congressional action on the war consists of a single House resolution that states formal disapproval of the president's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Even that measure, which does not carry the force of law, stalled in the Senate when Democrats could not overcome Republicans' procedural roadblocks.
More here.
(Image courtesy of Warren County NC GOP)
Dinah, a preamble first. Thank you for the kind comments that you left on my site. I of course would appreciate being added to your blog roll.
ReplyDeleteI will return the compliment. You have a great site here, and I have added you to my blogroll -- sorry, probably should have asked permission first. But I always have found it better to ask forgiveness later.
This is a great post here, but I have one issue, if you will. You note that the Dems came to power riding the anti-war wave. I simply have no trust or faith in polls myself - they are just too falible and too subject to manipulation. My own general impression from conservatives was that they were truly fed up with a Republican congress that on spending issues seemed to outdo the Democrats. I have always thought that, if the Democrats really did ride to power on a anti-war wave, they would have immediately put forward a plan to bring home the troops. I think the Dems won more because of conservative disenchantment then a leftist anti-war wave, and I think we are seeing that played out.
Ok, this post is too long. Will leave you with one last comment -- being as my first love is history -- your job as a historical novelist sounds fascinating. I will have to look out for your work.
Scott
newsblog07@aol.com
http://towncommons.blogspot.com
Hey Scott-
ReplyDeleteThanks for the big, juicy comment and the quality linkage. I thank you.
Your points are well taken. Polls are by and large a goof. What is that old saying?
"Figures never lie, liars figure."
And I agree that there has been a 'surge' in conservative disenchantment.
IMO, it was this attitude, coupled with the Defeatocrat/MSM Iraqi drumbeat, that swayed the weak sisters and the 'Everybody Loves Raymond' crowd.
This left the 'pubbies, flat on the canvas, KO'd in a election fight where they never even seemed to land a glove.
Remember the Mark Foley hysteria?
Sheesh. I'll give the Dems one thing: They are masters of dirty dog politics and they play the electoral process like a fiddle.
Enough cliches for now!
Cheers. Dinah