GOP sets benchmark for Iraq progress (they do not want to embarass

[rodeodance]

the President (such as biden's proposal would do---so they claim)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070131/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq;_ylt=AhJl60q7XPHQzC.EWbjib1as0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--


GOP sets benchmark for Iraq progress

By JIM KUHNHENN, Associated Press Writer 13 minutes ago

WASHINGTON - Several leading Senate Republicans who support
President Bush's troop-boosting plan for Iraq say they will give the administration and the Iraqis about six months to show significant improvement.

"I don't think this war can be sustained for more than six months if in fact we don't see some progress," Sen. Pat Roberts (news, bio, voting record), R-Kan., said Wednesday. Until this month, he was chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

Roberts' comments came two days after Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (news, bio, voting record), R-Ky., said the new U.S. military push was the Iraqis' "last chance."

"This needs to be successful over the next six to nine months," McConnell said in an interview Monday with Fox News Channel's Neil Cavuto. "And if not, we're going to have to go in a different direction."

Until now, most Republicans have been reluctant to set any timetable on the war's conduct. Their comments appear designed to hold Bush and the Iraqi government to the goal of securing the country by next fall.

[rodeodance]

1. te he--Bush still is opposed to timetables (interviews with Fox )

....The House, which previously had planned to wait for the Senate to vote first on a resolution, may move ahead on its own anyway. A Democratic aide said the House next week will likely review a resolution stating opposition to Bush's troop buildup with the goal of starting floor debate the week of Feb. 12.

Bush on Wednesday objected to Iraq proposals from Republicans and Democrats alike and acknowledged that "there's a lot of pessimism" in Congress about his troop buildup.

In an interview with Fox's Cavuto, Bush took issue with McConnell's statement that Bush's plan needs to be successful over the next six to nine months.

"I think it's a mistake to put timetables on difficult missions because an enemy can adjust," Bush said. "On the other hand, I certainly understand the urgency in Mitch's voice. I also understand the skepticism on Capitol Hill. I mean, no doubt, there's a lot of pessimism there today."

McConnell aides on Wednesday said the senator expects to see progress in Iraq in six to nine months.

[mzmolly]

2. As if the man hasn't embarassed himself and the entire nation, for god sakes.

I'm glad they're setting deadlines, however.

[Drum]

3. Follow the oil.... nt

[David Zephyr]

4. Benchmarks! Timetables! Oh, My! GOP is now aiding the enemy!

Next they will be advocating "cut and run".

Why does the GOP hate our troops so much?

[ozymandius]

5. 6 to 9 months sounds like a time table to me.

But what do I know about Republican non-time tables. I'm just a Democrat.