Senators Unsure of U.S. Troop Withdrawal

[sabra]

http://www.localnewsleader.com/brocktown/stories/news-00110484.html

Senators Unsure of U.S. Troop Withdrawal

WASHINGTON - Turnout will be the key to success for Iraq ‘s first parliamentary election this week, but significant U.S. troop withdrawals may not be possible until after consensus is reached on a constitution months later, senators said Sunday.

But given ongoing violence in the country, "I don‘t think we are going to have any major troop withdrawals any time soon if we are really serious about protecting this infant democracy," Lindsey told NBC‘s "Meet the Press."

Selected voting begins Monday, with the main balloting on Thursday. The election will be the first under the new constitution ratified in an Oct. 15 referendum and will complete the steps toward democratization following the ouster of Saddam Hussein ‘s government.

The U.S. ambassador to Iraq said he believed the elections could be start of a significant reduction of U.S. troops. "Our hope and expectation is that violence and use of the military means will become less important," Zalmay Khalilzad told ABC‘s "This Week."

[wishlist]

1. If Republicans and neocons have their way, we will never leave Iraq

If Chimpy gets his poll numbers up closer to 50% by convincing more Americans that we need to stay the course, I do not expect to see any significant reduction in troops beyond the 137,000 level. I don't believe this Administration wants Iraqi self government without U.S. dominance there.

[VegasWolf]

2. He meant to say, "If we are really serious about protecting our oil." nt

[leftchick]

3. whoopsies lindsey miss spoke!

He meant Infant THEOCRACY... :puke:

[Upfront]

4. Can't win Says Dean!

I believe!

[Warren Stupidity]

5. First the baby jesus, now the infant democracy.

Why do libruls hate the infant democracy?

[Voltaire99]

6. LOL! Nice one. (nt)