Reid, Obama use Bush timetable to criticize opponents; GOP, McCain silent

[babylonsister]

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/alerts/462

Reid, Obama use Bush timetable to criticize opponents; GOP, McCain silent
Submitted by AmyW on Fri, 08/22/2008 - 3:58pm. Alerts

A BUZZFLASH NEWS ALERT
by Amy Weiss

In light of the Bush Administration's recent decision to agree to a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) took the opportunity to criticize the president, Congressional Republicans, and John McCain for the mishandling of the war.

He said in a Friday press release:

While the Administration has spent the last two years doing everything in its power to block a change in course that would made America more secure, it appears the Bush Administration is finally inching toward adopting key elements of the strategy long advocated by Senate Democrats on Iraq -- including a timeline for redeploying U.S. troops in order to incentivize the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own country.

That John McCain and Congressional Republicans continue to oppose this course shows just how out of touch they are with today's challenges. Such a change in strategy, as Senator Obama and other Congressional Democrats have long advocated, is absolutely critical to restoring America's strength, improving the situation in Afghanistan and returning to the hunt for Bin Laden.

It is also disturbing to read press reports that suggest that the Iraqis would prefer Senator Obama's 2010 timeline, but the Bush Administration is insisting on a longer, 2011 timeline. Above all, the U.S. Congress must see the text of this agreement, which still has many unresolved issues, before we can make any final judgments on this agreement.

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) said in a press release that he is "glad that the Administration has finally shifted to accepting a timetable" but he "will reserve final judgment on the agreement until it is complete."

He also took the opportunity to criticize McCain's war position:

Senator McCain has stubbornly focused on maintaining an indefinite U.S presence in Iraq, but events have made his bluster and record increasingly out of touch with reality. While Senator McCain continues to offer unconditional military and economic support for Iraq, I strongly believe that we need to use our leverage with the Iraqi government to ensure a political settlement. In addition to a timetable, we should only train Iraqi Security Forces if Iraq's leaders reconcile their differences, and we must insist that Iraq invests its $79 billion surplus on rebuilding its own country. It's time to succeed in Iraq and to honor the sacrifice of our servicemen and women by leaving Iraq to a sovereign Iraqi government.

Earlier this week, McCain reiterated his opposition to a timetable while speaking to the Veterans of Foreign Wars. So far, the McCain campaign and Congressional Republican leadership are silent on the issue.

[WhiteTara]

1. kick

go harry :kick:

[Mass]

2. Well coordinated attack. Kerry had something as well - Go Dems.

http://kerry.senate.gov/cfm/record.cfm?id=302281

“The Administration’s decision to accept a timetable for the redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq is a welcome development, though long overdue. The American people and Democrats in Congress have long been well aware of what the Administration is just now realizing, that a timetable is necessary to get the Iraqis to stand up for Iraq, bring our troops home and recommit to victory in Afghanistan. It’s particularly significant that this agreement was the product of negotiations with the Iraqis, because this will help empower the Iraqi government and give it the legitimacy it needs with the Iraqi people to govern successfully. Now, we must seize this opportunity to press even harder for the political reconciliation that is necessary for long term stability.

“The Administration’s belated agreement on a timetable for redeployment is the latest in a series of welcome evolutions in the Administration’s positions, including sending more troops to Afghanistan, engaging diplomatically with Iran and North Korea, and putting greater emphasis on the Middle East peace process – all of which Senator Obama and Democrats were advocating long before the Administration saw the light. The fact that Senator McCain remains in the dark on many of these crucial issues and still clings stubbornly to the Administration’s discarded rhetoric on Iraq is further illustration that he remains mired in the failed policies of the past and lacks the strategic vision to be commander in chief.”