calling for Withdrawal from Iraq: Would it help or hurt the Party?

[welshTerrier2]

The Democratic Party, perhaps represented by 5 Senators and 5 Congressman, should call a press conference to announce that they have done all they possibly could to "support the President's efforts" in Iraq but that it is clear from unfolding events there that substantial changes must be made.

The Party should recommend to the President that withdrawals of American troops should begin on a phase-out basis as soon as the logistics can be arranged. The Democratic Party can no longer remain silent about the ongoing loss of American lives, the inability to bring about an end to the insurgency and the obvious shortcomings of trained Iraqi forces.

We, as a Party, are calling on the President to acknowledge that we have done all we can to promote the cause of democracy in Iraq and that it is time for the Iraqi people to be the captains of their own fate. We, as a Party, believe the US must continue to play a strong role in supporting the rebuilding of Iraq's infrastructure but that our military has completed its mission.

The Democratic Party remains deeply committed to serving the best interests of the American people and the best interests for Iraq's future. We are asking the President to begin winding down this long war and to begin refocussing the nation's attention and the nation's resources to issues here in the homeland.

[tk2kewl]

1. too weak

needs to slam bush on lying and thieving as well

[GreenPartyVoter]

2. the biggest question is would it hurt or help people... do we pull out

and leave the Iraqis to fend for themselves and hope that lack of our irritating presence lets things simmer down?

Do we stay and play policeman longer? Add more troops to do a better job of it?

At this point I feel like we should leave. I just don't think we can beat the "insurgents" at this and so many people are dying because of it.

[welshTerrier2]

5. i am asking only of the politics in this thread ...

continued occupation is clearly insane ...

[Goldmund]

3. It would definitely hurt...

...the 9/11 Hoedown party Rumsfeld is planning. ;)

As far as the Democratic Party -- I think it's high fucking time they came out for withdrawal, unambiguously. And while they're at it, admitted to the mistake of supporting IWR.

[gratuitous]

4. It would definitely help the party

Especially if they said, every time, that we were lied into Iraq by a deceitful, cynical, manipulative administration. Our troops have voluntarily put their lives on the line (in every sense), and the administration has broken faith with them by sending them off to a meat grinding quagmire with no achievable objective beyond making lots of money for the president's overrich friends and benefactors.

Say that, and the media heads will explode, because every word of it is true.

[Psephos]

6. A better question is will it hurt or help the Iraqis n/t

[htuttle]

7. If they call for withdrawal, they could win big in the midterms in 2006

If they don't, and keep this muddled position of 'we have to win in Iraq' (without defining 'winnning' and how to accomplish it) it will be more of the same -- they might even lose ground.

Write this down -- it's a prediction.

[Bonhomme Richard]

8. LOL. They go through their whole life looking stupid.

[second edition]

9. IMO, it would be a mistake to call for an immediate withdraw.

Polls indicate a majority of Americans want to see us stay and complete the job with a positive outcome. I think it might be better to call for an intelligent and workable strategy that would get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Too many lives and too much money have been invested in this war to just walk away without trying our best. At this point, I don't think this administration has tried its best.

[CWebster]

11. And as it grows worse with each passing hour

What does "success" look like? What is a "completed job". What is our mission?

[CWebster]

10. Seems like it would be obvious

Seems like it would be an obvious opportunity...Seems like it would be easier than ever...Wonder why it opposed?

Likely there are imperial economic interests whose concerns have a greater priority than the common good.

[welshTerrier2]

13. "imperial economic interests"

i couldn't have said it better myself ... but i tried:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=296&topic_id=5095&mesg_id=5151

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. HELP HUMANITY

[bribri16]

14. Shit, it can't hurt the party anymore than folks believing Bush, Rush

and neocon-PNACers already have. We should just take a damn stand and STAND!!

[0007]

15. Bring the troops home and get out of the Middle East except

to talk peace. (But what country will trust us?)

Fuck the parties.