Rep. Shays (R-CT): To Succeed In Iraq, We Need A Timetable For Withdrawal

[fedupinBushcountry]

Rep. Shays (R-CT): To Succeed In Iraq, We Need A Timetable For Withdrawal

Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT) is the latest member of Congress to advocate a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops in Iraq. Shays has visited Iraq 14 times. This morning on Fox, he said that the way for the United States to succeed in Iraq is to ?incentivize the Iraqis? to take control of their own country. The way to do that, according to Shays, is to let them know ?there is a limit to our presence there.?

Shays noted that previous timelines ? to hold elections and create a constitution ? are what has spurred the greatest progress in Iraq.

Video and transcript at:
http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/25/shays-withdrawal /

Isn't he up for re-election in Ct.? Isn't this Kerry's plan he is trumpeting?

[whometense]

1. things must be getting sticky

in CT.

If he's embracing Kerry's plan, there must be a lot of heat. I'd think he would be among the most secure republicans in CT - he's pretty moderate. But still a repub.

[beachmom]

2. He and Nancy Johnson are being targeted in Conn.

They are both moderate Republicans, and it's a pretty good argument to tell Conn. voters, that when you vote for Shays and Johnson, you end up with a hard right leadership in the House who refuses to hold the president accountable.

Nancy Johnson was my rep when I was growing up -- she was pretty good (they redistricted so she no longer represents my town). But her party has meanwhile radicalized, and people in Conn. will have to struggle between voting out a party leadership, based in the South, that is WAY out of the mainstream for Conn. or just vote for the person and on local issues. People are obviously VERY angry about the war there.

[fedupinBushcountry]

4. She is in a more

Republican district now. I have watched her on the house floor and she is another rubber stamper, a lot more so then Chris Shays.

[beachmom]

5. Well, my parents liked her, but that was some years ago

I'll rely on what you are saying about her now. If she's a rubber stamp, then hopefully the Dems in Conn. can capitalize on that and defeat her this fall.

[beachmom]

6. Here's a good post from DeminCT on Kos

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/8/25/82830/3195

The Dem is within 5 points.

[karynnj]

9. Not only embrace Kerry's plan, but almost put the reason

in the same frame - that Iraqis have only responded to deadlines.

[wisteria]

3. he certainly is making some of the same points Kerry has made

already. I hope at sometime in the near future, another vote will be taken on the kerry/Feingold Amendment and this time it will have a majority of the Democrats voting yes and some wise Republicans as well.

[blm]

7. Shays for Iraq timetable - siding with Kerry to save seat in Connecticut?

What does that tell you about Lieberman's stance to stand with Bush on not withdrawing while even the GOP in Connecticut is choosing to stand closer to Kerry's withdrawal plan than side with Bush?

Tells me that Shays' internal polling says that's the only way he can stay in office.

And you should make this point in GD when you repost the article there.

[karynnj]

10. Interesting point - though he's running in one congressional district

not the state.

[MH1]

8. That part you bolded

is one of Kerry's strong arguments for his plan - maybe the strongest.

Guess Shays was listening. But what took him so long?

[ginnyinWI]

12. shows they're listening when Kerry speaks.

Many of them doubtless agree with him too--secretly. Ah, politics.

[cadmium]

11. Somebody else recognizes that

"KERRY WAS RIGHT"

[JI7]

13. post in GD points out the hypocrisy, John Kerry is called a flip flopper

even though he has been critical from THE START. the only thing they use to claim he flip flopped was the vote for the IWR. and ignore anything else he did including what he said about why he would vote for it.

but CNN said commends Shays for his change in stance, even though is came just as Lieberman lost and as he is being challenged .