NYT: Anti-Buildup Measure to Have Bipartisan Stamp: Will be introduced by Biden, Levin, Hagel

[DeepModem Mom]

Anti-Buildup Measure to Have Bipartisan Stamp
By CARL HULSE and JIM RUTENBERG
Published: January 17, 2007

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 — Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, an outspoken Republican critic of the administration’s Iraq policy, will join two leading Democrats in introducing a resolution opposing President Bush’s buildup of troops in Iraq, putting a bipartisan stamp on the looming Congressional showdown over the war.

Lawmakers and aides said Mr. Hagel had been consulting for the past few days with the two Democrats, Senators Joseph R. Biden Jr. of Delaware, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, and Carl Levin of Michigan, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, to develop the wording of the resolution, which could be introduced as early as Wednesday....

Mr. Hagel said the intent of the resolution was not to “bash the president” or to call for the immediate withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq, but a responsible way for senators to register their opinion on the increase of more than 20,000 additional troops announced by Mr. Bush last week.

While Senate opponents of the buildup were preparing to move forward, Senate Republicans backing the president were trying to map their own strategy, considering proposals that could appeal to Republicans frustrated with events in Iraq but keep them from supporting the most critical resolution....

***

Members of both parties in the Senate have said as many as a dozen Republicans may ultimately support a resolution against the president’s policy. Mr. Hagel’s participation could ease the concerns of other Republicans about breaking from the president....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/17/washington/17cong.html?hp&ex=1169096400&en=4ac53d86ccd8ee80&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[nilram]

1. It's true! Bush is a uniter, not a divider!

Mission accomplished!

[goforit]

6. Hopefully so...But game aint over till the "fat lady sings"

[acmavm]

2. And where is our worthless democratic senator, Ben Nelson, in all this?

[dysfunctional press]

3. stephen colbert NAILED this sham on The Word.

watch it.

[halobeam]

5. YES!! He was excellent on this exact issue last night.....

Non binding resolution. LMAO oxymoron. you betcha!...

edit to add: Biden once again, just pissed me off when it counts MOST. Damn.

[mzmolly]

7. This "sham" comes before using the "power of the purse."

It's the first step.

[FredStembottom]

4. >>>>>>Mr. Hagel said the intent of the resolution was not to “bash the president”

Bash away! Who else in America deserves it more?



Well.....OK......Cheney does.