LAT: Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq

[DeepModem Mom]

Republicans in Blue States Rethink Iraq
Some conservative defenders of the war, facing opinion polls and antiwar challengers in November, are now talking withdrawal.
By Johanna Neuman, Times Staff Writer
August 26, 2006

....Although he is not the first Republican to part company with Bush on the conduct of the war, (Congressman Christopher Shays, R., CT) is the most prominent pro-war voice so far to call for a timetable for withdrawal. And experts think there will be many Republican defections before the November election.

"The war has colored the whole election cycle," said Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Report, a nonpartisan newsletter. "Voters are unhappy with the performance of their political leaders, and they want change."

For Republicans in swing states, the war poses a dicey political problem. With the GOP leadership eager to cast Democrats as the "cut and run" party, individual candidates are trying to find talking points that make them sound independent from the White House but supportive of anti-terrorism measures, which remain a voter priority.

In Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, freshman Michael G. Fitzpatrick, elected in 2004 with 55% of the vote, faces a challenge from Patrick Murphy, an Iraqi war vet with a Bronze Star and a plan for redeploying U.S. troops from Iraq within 12 months.

In a mailing to constituents in mid-August, Fitzpatrick urged an alternate course in Iraq while criticizing his opponent's plan. "American needs a better, smarter plan in Iraq," said the mailing. "Congressman Fitzpatrick says NO to both extremes: No to President Bush's 'stay the course' strategy … and no to Patrick Murphy's 'cut and run' approach."...

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-shays26aug26,0,6159593.story?coll=la-home-nation

[rfranklin]

1. They want to get re-elected...if they are, business as usual...

The fact that Mehlman gave them permission to criticize Bush is all the evidence you need for proof. It is not a change of heart but a change of political tactics.