BREAKING: Senate Dems writing legislation to limit mission of U.S. troops in Iraq

[welshTerrier2]

looks like Reid is going to push legislation that will restrict the mission in Iraq. it is apparently a partial revocation of the IWR.

rumors say that it will restrict troop activities to fighing Al Qaeda, training Iraqi troops, guarding Iraq's borders and withdrawing American troops. No other use of the military will be permitted.

interesting ...

[LSparkle]

1. Is this why Holy Joe is throwing a hissy fit?

[tridim]

3. That was my first thought too.

This is great news!

[David Dunham]

4. If Lieberman bolts to the GOP, all anti-Iraq stuff stops in the Senate.

[Hippo_Tron]

8. Nah I think it's because someone told him that 5th place isn't the same thing as a 3 way tie for 3rd

:evilgrin:

[Forkboy]

2. Can you give us more info?

Where are you hearing this?

Thanks!

[welshTerrier2]

5. first, Olbermann just read it off the AP wire.

it's a headline with no text on MSNBC.Com

no details out there yet.

[Forkboy]

13. Thanks...no cable here (thankfully)

Always glad to hear about Keith though :)

[rockymountaindem]

6. Just one question: Isn't that what they're already doing?

I mean, aside from the fact that the militants and terrorists aren't necessarily "Al Qaeda", I don't understand what this kind of legislation will actually stop our forces from doing that they're doing right now.

[Stinky The Clown]

7. There's been some interesting background talk about this .....

As reported on Countdown, the language is still very much a work in progress. In the end, many of us may not like the specific wording because they're going for something that can attract Republicans, too. That means the language will likely be pretty wishy-washy.

That's the down side. The upside is that, to the larger (not paying attention) public, any vote on any bill that limits the war or the mission, or whatever, that carries with true bipartisan support will be seen as a big blow to the Bush boy. It is being said that this tactic is exactly where Reid is going with this.

And in the end, I guess I'm okay with that. There really isn't much they can do in any substantive way, so to have an actual bill with actual war limits (no matter how weak) and get it passed with bipartisan support would be seen far and wide as huge ...... or hugh!!!11!!, if that's your preference.

[Lint Head]

9. Lie-ber-man

Maybe this will tip the scales and Lieberman the turncoat will make good on his threat to change his affiliation to Re-Pubic-Con.
I think there is the possibility of a Re-Pubic-Con or two to turn Democrat. How can anyone stand to be in a political party that supports liars and lies that led this nation into a war that has killed untold numbers of human beings for OIL?

:dem:

[LSparkle]

10. Olympia Swowe ought to switch parties

She was passionate on the Senate floor last week -- so much so that she really sounded like a Dem!

BTW, the new Iraq operation is called "Operation Imposing Law" -- O I L

Ooops, they did it again ...

[MaineDem]

14. Don't be fooled - she is a Republican through and through

She is from a very Democratic-leaning state. She is "allowed" by her leadership to go off-message at times. But they know they have her votes when they count.

[melissinha]

11. there's a poll now attacked to the MSNBC link

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17286793/

Do you support an effort by Senate Democrats to limit the mission of U.S. troops in Iraq? * 376 responses

Yes, the administration appears unwilling to stand down from an untenable position.
56%

No, congressional interference with the troops is foolish and dangerous. Have we forgotten Vietnam?
44%

I also seriously dslike the little snide "HAve we forgotten Vietnam" remark, its preciesely a drawn out never-ending unwinnable war we want to avoid.

[karynnj]

12. OMG - I'm with you on the "HAve we forgotten Vietnam" remark

They are seriously re-writing history - even the people leading the war simply were looking for a face saving way out - as the last 27,000 or so soldiers died and who knows how many Vietnamese. Pretty expensive face saving.

[ProSense]

15. Co-sponsor the legislation

More here

Glad to see the Democrats rallying around a timetable.