Democrats retreat on war end

Reid is expected to return to the issue of a guaranteed withdrawal date in October when an Iraq supplemental spending bill reaches the Senate floor.

In a strategic shift designed to win over Republican critics of the Iraq war, congressional Democrats are backing off demands for a firm withdrawal date for U.S. troops and instead are seeking a new bipartisan deal to end the military campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) are calculating that it is futile to continue their months-long campaign to force an immediate end to the war, particularly after Republicans and a few Democrats returned from the summer recess intent on opposing legislation mandating a strict timetable for pulling out U.S. troops.

The change is both rhetorical and substantive. Reid and others are increasingly talking of “bipartisan compromise,” while top Democrats are reworking legislation erasing a date certain for ending the military operation. The strategic shift is certain to anger some war critics, but it reflects the reality that Democrats lack the votes to force President Bush’s hand.

“We are trying to manage expectations that we can’t end the war today or next week or next month,” said one Democrat involved in the discussions. “We have to make sure everyone understands that.”

Said another aide involved in the process: “Despite the months of debate, and all the votes, and all the ads and everything, we have not been able to break the Republicans. They are still with Bush, and that’s the reality here.”

(rest of the article @ link)

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0907/5679.html

AND GET BUSH NOT TO VETO IT. I think if you all could tell them that they would appreciate it. Of course the republicans aren't going to vote for a withdrawal. Most of them want it. But if they can keep the democrats looking like the bad guys they think they can take back congress. THEY WILL NEVER GIVE IN.

and of course, yes, Bush will veto it when it gets to him. But in the end, who will look like the bad guys with the public opinion of this war and the campaign pledge the Dems ran on. It will be the ones that keep this war going, not the ones trying to stop it. Also, you might get someone who has some good persuasion tactics that can bring some moderates over to our side. It takes a little backroom maneuvering, apparently which we don't have right now with our leadership.

The excuse that they don't have a big enough majority is a sham. They keep sending him the same bill, if he vetoes it again and again then the onus is on him and the GOP not the dems. They won't fight him, a President that is at 30% and they won't fight.

nobody else & if the republicans want to stay with him, it drags them down right along with Bush and they will have to answer for it in the next election.

You hold up each and every supplemental war funding bill in committee and starve the war, forcing the troops home.

Sad to say, the Dems won't do this, since it requires backbone and fortitude to stand up to their corporate warhawk masters.

I realize they need 60+ votes.

However, you do not need 60 votes to:

Get on TV and push your case.

Stand up and make Democratic Side Heard.

Try to gain cooperation of Netroots and other Activists
to get the message out in country. THE GOP is obstructing
and blocking our efforts toend the war and bring the troops
home. Demand an answer to: How long do GOP plan to keep
troops in War Mode????? Do not let GOP Weasel Out??
How many more soldiers must die so GOP can save face?


The WH and GOP have ads all over the place and have got
the Media to play their side of Keeping the Surge Going.
I give you Katie Couric.

You would never know Dems are the Majority. The GOP
believe in something (Wrongheaded, IM0) They will get
themselves on TV so their case is the only side presented.

Cautiousness in Kerry Campaign help lose the last election.
The Dems are now ceding the next election to GOP.