A Big Victory (Give 'Em Hell Harry email)

[pinto]

Dear friend,

Since January more than 100,000 of you have visited http://www.GiveEmHellHarry.com
and participated in actions aimed at changing the course in Iraq. Yesterday your hard work paid off and I can't thank you enough.

By a vote of 48-50, the Senate rejected a Republican amendment that attempted to strip vital language from the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations bill. By turning back that challenge, we paved the way for legislation calling for a phased redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq in 120 days, with the goal of redeploying most combat forces by the end of March 2008.

There is still a lot of work left to do and George Bush has threatened to veto this bill. However, yesterday was a significant step in our effort to change course in Iraq and make America more secure.

With one vote, Senators sent a message that the time has come to find a new way forward in this intractable war. After more than four years - in which over 3,100 of our brave soldiers have been killed and tens of thousands of more have been wounded it is time:

- to set benchmarks.

- to send a clear signal to the Iraqis that they must take responsibility for securing their country.

- to start redeploying our troops.

- for a new direction in Iraq.

George Bush and his fellow Republicans are once again faced with a choice between staying the course in Iraq, or listening to a majority of the House, the Senate and the American people.

Thank you for all of your efforts. We would not have succeeded without your support.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid