The Progressive Caucus Plan, The Pelosi Plan & the House BlueDogs:

[rodeodance]

Pelosi looked pretty frazzled at her press conf. yersteday (cspan1)-----wonder if she can pull this off?



The Progressive Caucus Plan, The Pelosi Plan & the House BlueDogs:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2761051

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070309/ap_on_go_co/democrats_iraq;_ylt=AuUm09hDoidc3WSA4Vb_5NSMwfIE

Jackson Lee and other liberals are backing an alternative plan that would immediately limit the use of war funds to withdrawing troops, training Iraqis and other non-combat missions. It is doomed to failure, but Democratic leaders have been discussing whether to allow a vote on it if, in return, liberals would then swing behind their bill.


"It's time Congress finally caught up to the people we represent, people who recognized long ago that the Bush Iraq policy was and is a train wreck," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., co-chair of the Progressive Caucus.

Nearly every member of the Blue Dog coalition, a group of moderate and conservative Democrats, met Thursday to hear out Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (news, bio, voting record), D-Md. According to attendees, several members said they oppose a provision in the bill that would prevent the president from attacking
Iran. Another major issue for some was setting the hard deadline.

"In general, we need to give the commander in chief flexibility," said Rep. Jim Cooper (news, bio, voting record), D-Tenn.

"There are an awful lot of members — not just Blue Dogs — concerned about a date certain" when troops would leave, said Rep. Jim Marshall (news, bio, voting record), D-Ga.

A small group of Republicans indicated they might be on board. Rep. Walter Jones (news, bio, voting record), R-N.C., said "conceptually, I think this is on the right track," while Reps. Wayne Gilchrest (news, bio, voting record) and Chris Shays, R-Conn., said they like the idea of holding the Iraqi government's feet to the fire.

[Greeby]

1. "said they like the idea of holding the Iraqi government's feet to the fire."

An unfortunate turn of phrase. When, in Iraq, people probably literally get their feet held to a fire.

[madfloridian]

2. "In general, we need to give the commander in chief flexibility,"

Baloney, Jim Cooper. Not this commander in chief, not anymore.