Democrats snub Republican Iraq pullout timeline

[rodeodance]

Democrats snub Republican Iraq pullout timeline

By Susan Cornwell and Richard Cowan Fri Sep 28, 5:52 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Several Senate Republicans proposed drawing down U.S. forces in Iraq over 15 months, but Democrats rejected the plan because it stretched to after the November 2008 election, both sides said on Friday.

It was the latest manifestation of a Senate stalemated over how to end the unpopular Iraq war launched by President George W. Bush in 2003. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sounding frustrated with the Senate, said her chamber would take up several Iraq bills next week, although none dictate a U.S. troop pullout.

"We in the House cannot confine our aspirations for changing the direction in Iraq to what might be possible today in the United States Senate," Pelosi, a California Democrat, told a news conference.

Next week, the House will take up bipartisan legislation requiring the Pentagon to submit regular reports on troop withdrawal planning to defense committees of Congress, as well as a bill regulating contractors in response to recent deaths of Iraqis in incidents involving the U.S. firm Blackwater.

[KharmaTrain]

1. This Should Be Called The CYA Ammendment

Nothing like the Repugnicans attempting to cover up their tracks and avoid responsibility...this scam does both. But we all know how this thing will turn out...it'll pass.

[bigtree]

2. good news

leadership, perhaps