GOP lawmakers cross aisle to attack troop buildup in Iraq

[Moloch]

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers Thursday launched a tough, two-pronged attack – by Democrats and Republicans – on President Bush’s new strategy for the war in Iraq.

Although GOP leaders generally backed the president’s plan to dispatch an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to the battle, some of the party’s most prominent foreign policy experts, members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, joined majority Democrats to give the proposal a bipartisan pummeling.

In a three-hour hearing, committee members dissected Bush’s Wednesday night speech outlining the strategy and his claims that the Iraqi government is ready to end sectarian violence. Several senators said they’ll try to block the deployment of more forces.

“I think this speech given last night by this president represents the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam. … I will resist it,” said Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb.

http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=117492&ran=231122&tref=y

[WCGreen]

1. Most, I bet, are up for reelection in 2008.....

just guessing...

[saigon68]

3. Yes Re-Election in 2008 will hinge greatly in supporting this Chimp Blunder

[zbdent]

6. George Voinovich, for one

and his track record has been "questioning Bush" in some public situations, usually something that has no chance of passing anyway, and then voting for whatever Bush wanted when the public wasn't paying attention.

The massive tax cuts ... made some noise about the tax cuts ... but then voted for the exact amount that Bush asked for ...

Environmental issues ... ditto ...

[WCGreen]

7. He won't run for re election....

[zbdent]

8. He's announced that?

have a link? That would be interesting ... make 2-year Senator Sherrod Brown the Senior Senator from Ohio ... WOO HOO!

[WCGreen]

9. I am from Ohio, the Cleveland area, and have watched this

jerk off in office for over 30 years...

He beat Kucinich for Mayor in 1979...

He said last time that it would be his last time...

But admittedly, that was before Dewine was tossed out on his ear...

He is getting on in years, he is 70 now....

[rodeodance]

2. I have been loving these delicious Headlines last few days.

[rodeodance]

4. we have to see to REALLY crosses over when Kennedy's

resolution comes up for a debate!



The administration got gent­ler treatment in the House Armed Services Committee, where Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the nation’s top military officer, outlined the new strategy.

Committee chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., however, declared Iraq “a mess” and argued that “the time for a so-called surge in troop numbers was back in 2003.”

Republicans, led by Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., generally backed Bush’s plan but several joined Democrats in expressing skepticism about promises that Iraqi troops will lead a new drive to quell violence in Baghdad.

“I just have my doubts the Iraqis will show up,” said Rep. John McHugh, R-N.Y. “The track record isn’t there – and words are fine but actions are what count here.”

Republican Rep. Randy Forbes, representing Virginia’s 4th District, questioned whether the U.S. troops Bush wants to add are enough to win the battle for Baghdad.

[PATRICK]

5. Hagel "chosen" as spokesperson

is the only sign of a possible anti-Bush presidential challenge- for Hagel's benefit of course. He continues to play against the Mccain/Lieberman gambit for the Bush war. Keeping it solely on one issue saves Hagel from confronting the Bush dynasty per se. At least one Republican has the sense to play to the masses and be sane at the same time.

What on earth do the others expect? The quiet NY Musketeers(all against one and one against all and everyman for himself), lifelong adversaries and ALL opposed by many Conservatives are expecting to pick up the pieces on a single dark horse none can mount. Wild men, or ambitious men of conscience with no money have not gotten into gear, and few are permitted in the GOP candidate killing fields. The Bush dynasty itself has no offering that is not utterly revolting. Jeb's hour, or the dynasty, is now or never. The Bushes have never been adept at playing off unwanted successors. Which is why they are so grateful for the studied sucker up McCain. The others are snubbed and destroyed, effortlessly easy to do by controlling the pursestrings and party apparatus.

When it comes down to it though, Hagel will trade for the presidency with the Bushes even if he seems to have a strong hand. He also will try to continue the policy on behalf of big oil and empire. Because of his less noble calculations the efforts to actually build a new, healed party and achieve any support fraudulent or otherwise, are doomed pretty much to failure. Leaving, we hope, his present actions for peace intact.