NYTimes: Democrats Propose Iraq Pullout In 2008

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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/08/washington/08cnd-cong.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Democrats Propose Iraq Pullout in 2008



Win McNamee/Getty Images
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi with Representatives Jack Murtha, left, and David R. Obey at a press conference on Capitol Hill today.

By JEFF ZELENY and ROBIN TONER
Published: March 8, 2007
WASHINGTON, March 8 — Democratic leaders in the House and Senate began a new legislative push today for the withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq in 2008, coalescing behind a fixed timetable to end the war for the first time since assuming power.

Back Story With The Times's Robin Toner (mp3)The plan to establish a specific date for removing troops intensifies the confrontation with the Bush administration at a time when Congress is scrutinizing President Bush’s request for nearly $100 billion in additional spending toward military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Republicans vowed to block the new Democratic effort, though, which they said amounted to micromanaging the war, and the White House immediately signaled its opposition.

“It would unnecessarily handcuff our generals on the ground, and it’s safe to say it’s a nonstarter for the president,” said Dan Bartlett, a senior White House adviser, speaking to reporters as he traveled with Mr. Bush to Latin America.

Given the Republican opposition, and the Democrats’ slender margin in the Senate, the significance of the new plan was as much political as legislative. Democratic leaders in the House were optimistic about passing their legislation, but their counterparts in the Senate faced immediate resistance from Republicans and acknowledged that their chances of attracting enough votes seemed slim.

Even so, the notion of Democratic leaders embracing a timetable to leave Iraq had ramifications beyond Congress, particularly in the presidential race. The Senate plan sets a goal for troops to be removed by March 31, 2008, similar to a plan introduced by Senator Barack Obama, Democrat of Illinois.