Reid Critical of Bipartisan Plan to Adopt Iraq Study Group Report

[babylonsister]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/071507B.shtml

Reid Critical of Bipartisan Plan to Adopt Iraq Study Group Report

Senators Dust Off Iraq Study Group Report
By David M. Herszenhorn
The New York Times

Sunday 15 July 2007

snip//

Critics, however, say that the report, which had robust support in Congress when it was first unveiled, is outdated and made even more irrelevant by half-hearted efforts by the administration to adopt some of its 79 recommendations, like a brief but so far fruitless diplomatic overture to Syria.

Those critics include Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the majority leader, and other Democrats who originally embraced the report but now want a firm deadline for withdrawing troops. The report set a target for withdrawing combat troops by March 2008 but gave the administration wide flexibility.

"They started doing the study well more than a year ago," Mr. Reid said Thursday. "It has been seven months since the report was given to us. And it calls for a lot of diplomatic measures. There's not a single tooth in that proposal. No, I can't vote for it."

The group's main recommendations call for a shift from combat to training Iraqi forces and fighting terrorism, a forceful regionwide diplomatic initiative and a reduction in American financial and military aid to the Iraqi government should it fail to meet prescribed goals.

snip//


Mr. Reid, the majority leader, and other Democrats now insisting on a firm deadline for withdrawing troops are lobbying against the measure, fearing it would let Republicans appear to be taking action against an unpopular war while not forcing any real changes by the White House.

Still, Mr. Reid has agreed to let the measure come to a vote late next week after the Senate considers other proposals, including one he supports, which would set a 120-day deadline to begin troop withdrawals, and another by prominent Republicans seeking to narrow the scope of the war. If neither passes, the study group plan could offer a last chance before the summer recess for lawmakers to show voters that they can agree on at least some action aimed at changing the course of the war.

more...

Related thread; Warner, Lugar's proposal not any better:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=389&topic_id=1337361

[TwilightGardener]

1. The plan most likely to pass will be the most toothless/worthless one--

so, I guess the ISG plan will garner a ringing endorsement from all who seek political shelter!