Welcome RWNH Carnival of the Clueless readers!
On Tuesday the Senate defeated a Democratic proposal for a definite timetable for full withdrawal of ground troops from Iraq by a vote of 58-40 (i.e., some Democrats - Conrad, Lieberman, Nelson, Nelson and Pryor - voted against it).
CBS' John Roberts claimed the White House was unhappy with the Republican version that did pass, but Mr. Bush says no, that's not true. (ht: Ed Morrissey)
Mr. Bush rejected a reporter's suggestion that he was embarrassed by the Senate's subsequent approval of a watered-down measure that requires the White House to give lawmakers regular progress reports on Iraq.
"That's to be expected," the president said of the measure, an amendment to the Senate version of a defense spending bill. "They expect us to keep them abreast of a plan that is going to work."
He added that he viewed the measure as "consistent with our strategy, and look forward to continue to work with the Congress."
Undeterred, and only two days later, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) called for the immediate withdrawal of troops from Iraq.
It's time to bring them home," said Rep. John Murtha, a decorated Korean War and Vietnam combat veteran, choking back tears during remarks to reporters. "Our military has accomplished its mission and done its duty."
[...]
"Our troops have become the primary target of the insurgency. They are united against U.S. forces and we have become a catalyst for violence," he said.
In a biting response, Republicans criticized Murtha's position as one of abandonment and surrender and accused Democrats of playing politics with the war and recklessly pushing a "cut and run" strategy.
"They want us to retreat. They want us to wave the white flag of surrender to the terrorists of the world," said House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill.
"It would be an absolute mistake and a real insult to the lives that have been lost," said Rep. David Dreier, R-Calif.
I'm betting that since a future timetable was found unacceptable, immediate withdrawal is not going to fly either. As I noted in the far-too-long-and-convoluted post below, the endpoints are two: a stable Iraqi government and the ability of Iraqi forces to defend the people adequately. We're not there yet, but now is not the time to give up on getting there. And handing Iraq to the tender mercies of Abu Musab al Zarqawi is giving up, pure and simple.
11/17/05 2115: Is Mr. Murtha's position really new? Inquiring minds want to know. (ht: Don Surber)
11/18/05 1115: Missing link added.
