Sen. Warner calls for Withdrawal in Iraq starting on Sept. 15th
By John Amato Wednesday Aug 22, 2007 4:30pm
It's pretty tepid, but at least it's a start. After coming back from Iraq, Sen. Warner calls for Bush to start bringing troops home starting on Sept. 15th---to put some teeth into Bush's policy and send the Iraqis a message.
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I think no clearer form of that than if the president were to announce on the 15th that, in consultation with our senior military commanders, he’s decided to initiate the first step in a withdrawal of our forces.
I say to the president, respectfully, pick what ever number you wish. You do not want to lose the momentum, but certainly in 160,000- plus, say, 5,000 could begin to redeploy and be home to their families and loved ones no later than Christmas of this year.
When push comes to shove, Warner will side with the White House if they pressure him as Republicans in Congress often do after registering their dissaproval of BushCo. And the Iraqis would have made their move politically already if they felt so inclined to do so. Think Progress has more....
WARNER: It seems to me the time has come to put some meaningful teeth into those comments, to back them up with some clear, decisive action to show that we mean business when those statements and others like it have been made.
And so, therefore, I make a recommendation to the president. I respectfully say to them in his consultation with the military here in the coming weeks — actually, that consultation is going along quite steadily. Excuse me, I’ve got a bit of a cold.
That consultation is ongoing. Take into consideration the need to send a sharp and clear message throughout the region, to the United States, and one that people can understand.
I think no clearer form of that than if the president were to announce on the 15th that, in consultation with our senior military commanders, he’s decided to initiate the first step in a withdrawl of our forces.
I say to the president, respectfully, pick what ever number you wish. You do not want to lose the momentum, but certainly in 160,000- plus, say, 5,000 could begin to redeploy and be home to their families and loved ones no later than Christmas of this year.
That’s the first step.
Let the president establish the timetable of withdrawal, not the Congress. Under the Constitution, as commander in chief, he has that authority.
He need not lay out a totality of a timetable. I would advise against it. Take each step at a time, then make an evaluation of the impact of that step, that it did not lessen the momentum, did not lessen the ability of our forces to continue to supply a greater degree — provide a greater degree of security, be it Baghdad or where else we can do it, and to determine what is the reaction of the neighboring countries and the region. Perhaps they’ve all been sitting there, waiting to see what we would do.
And given the NIE, which says, Mr. President, it’s up to 12 months before we can expect any particular degree of reconciliation, we simply cannot, as a nation, stand and put our troops at continuous risk of loss of life and limb without beginning to take some decisive action which will get everybody’s attention.
That simple announcement of a single redeployment of some several thousand individuals under the military tradition — first-come, first-served in Iraq, first to depart — you’ve got to be careful how those selections — they can pick them from various units; put together a group and send them back. Then evaluate, re-evaluate how successful it has been. Then perhaps, at the president’s discretion, select a second date and time for a contingent to be redeployed.
Now, in my humble judgment, that will get everybody’s attention — the attention which is not being given to us at this time.
I got on the airplane, and I picked up the Jordan Times. This is the type of thing that’s written in periodicals, and each and every one of you has read it. And they say in the Jordan Times, The Iraqis hold the key to any U.S. withdrawals.
That’s got to be dispelled. Our president holds the key to any U.S. withdrawal. And I think a step as I’ve outlined will make that eminently clear.
And from that point, we’ll just have to evaluate each and every decision the president makes with regard to further withdrawals. (h/t Faiz for the transcript)
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Warner is a tool
They will be redeployed to Iran
t-bone @ 1:
Oh yeah, frist.
Youtube always gives me code problems that show up in Firefox...IE looks fine...I'll get it fixed a little later...
The white house has already responded and said they will set no timetables or consider no withdrawals until they get Gen P's report next month. In other words, forget about it.
This is the second time as I recall that Warner has said something the white house didn't like. I agree, he'll cave. I wish he would stick to his guns but I have doubts.
Werner's assumption -- that Iraqis need to get the "attention"-stick -- is absurd. They've been attentive: They were invaded. Staying or pulling out isn't going to give them something new to think about: They're in the middle of a civil war.
This is part of the political blame game. The war can't be won militarily they tell us so it must be won politically. Dump all the problems on the Iraqi govt. I don't know what the solution is but I know what it isn't. Getting one more soldier or Iraqi killed isn't going to fix things.
Words. Just more hot air. Nothings going to change. The decider has decided.
He will vote with the gop to stay the course.
Reid is right, it is lost.
Enough with regime changes and warmongering on Iran.
Govern and fix our country.
Geez.
No, Warner is no fool, and has known for some time that Dubya must be forced to withdrawl from Iraq. I am suspicious that this September 15 "deadline" is just a stunt to start the draw down just in time for next year's election. Then watch them blame Democrats for "losing" Iraq.
Will the people be fooled again?
He' just blowing smoke. He knows that 2/3 of the country want us to start a withdrawl of some kind. He's just blowing smoke at his electorate. When crunch time comes he always does what he's told. Like the good ol boy he is.
It's window dressing. Nothing more. Warner knows Dubya won't allow it, so he's free to say it.
Disgusting.
That condisending tone of his just tells you that a soon as He's done spewing his BS at you, He's gonna shit all over you
If our current troop levels in Iraq are absolutely necessary to maintain security then our entire army is a virtual prisoner in Iraq. Do we really want that? What if we needed 20,000 or 30,000 soldiers somewhere in the world in a hurry? Korea maybe? Do we really want every available American soldier in Iraq virtually frozen in place. For all practical purposes, we don't have an army available to protect this country in an emergency, nor do we have troops available to help one of our allies should we be called upon to do so. Is that what we call homeland security?
This should be ignored. Warner is an idiot. What he says is meaningless and, of course, will be ignored by the WH.
i think this may be one indication that warner is going to retire after his term ends in 2008. if so it's a good thing - it means he's surmised he has nothing to lose politically and can finally stop putting lipstick on a pig.
david vitter is the tool (and the louisiana electorate). broke the law with a prostitute, lied about it, demanded that clinton resign, became a colossal hypocrite by not resigning, went to iraq for 10 hours and declared the "surge a success"...and his approval ratings in louisiana are 66%
un-freaking-believable.
Warner, just shut up and go away. Now.
lipstick, rouge, and a girdle on a fat pig.
"at least it's a start"
What rubbish, it's not a start to ending the occupation at all. It's just another stalling technique. Come the time, Bush will "redeploy" about 5000 troops, leave the rest and claim that he has responded to his critics. C'mon C&L, how about a little critical thinking here?
The over-extended troops have to come home anyway. Warner asked for what was already going to happen. Instead of "reduction of force" like Dubya wanted, it'll be called a "partial-withdral with no time table for the rest of them" to make Warner look like a hero. I suppose they'll be home in time for Xmas too.
Warner is a fool.
So he plans to set a timetable and expect them to get their act together or else. Kind of stupid giving an ultimatum to country who didn't asked to be occupied in the first place. It's also kind of stupid announcing a date. You just set the agenda for whatever chaos opponents of peace will want to take.
Any situation the US comes up with will just cause more trouble down the road.
This is a Middle East problem aggravated by the US. The US forcing the issue will just bring about more strife. A middle eastern summit by all parties involved is the best solution and it can't be organized by the US. A neighboring country should step in organize a summit.
Why? The lines are being drawn in Iraq with neighboring countries already deciding who to back. This is beyond what the US can handle and the US has lost all respect in the region. Bush single handily took care of that. Unless someone outside the Bush Adminstration that the majority of people can at least talk to might be a consideration as a facilitator.
It's not just an Iraqi problem or if or when the troops should pull out. It is beyond that now. It's a regional problem. A mature party needs to step in and handle it.
If George Bush wants an assessment from General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, all he needs to do is pick up the phone. He probably does that everyday. This stuff about he wasn't to wait until he hears their report next month is really just a bunch of oats. (recycled through a bull)
I think we're about to see the wholesale destruction of our middle eastern expeditionary forces . . . one big black hawk down style retreat.
Hopefully we'll leave blackwater there to explain what happened to the locals
t-bone @ 1:
He's just providing political cover for Bush & the Re-Pukes. Bush can make a token troop reduction (he's going to have to anyway by early next year) and all the Pukes can cover their asses.
Repackaging the same ol same ol.
Do the math. 5,000 soldiers out by December 25th which is 5,000 per quarter. There are 170,000 soldiers and change. That works out to a total pull out in 8 plus years. Woohoo!
coltergeist @ 26:
what it works out to is an undoing of the "surge" (25,000 troops) by the end of this ridiculously bad administration. we'd be back to approx. 135,000 troops by christmas 2008. and the mess is left for the next president to clean up. that's not progress, it's a sick joke.
assuming we don't attack iran, during which bush attempts to assume "emergency" dictatorial powers.
lonesomerobot @ 27:
we should bring the soldiers home that we want to keep alive . . . we should leave blackwater aka Al Kida to explain to the locals what happened to their dead relatives . . . the Iraqis are a forgiving lot . . . don't believe in the concept of revenge.
should be ok.
Notice how all of these so-called withdrawal "plans" are always down the road sometime in the dim distant unreachable future: 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, a dollar, all for the Bush oil-nazis stand up and holler!
I guess that being an imperialist is quite addictive; we seem to be having a heck of a time going cold-turkey, i.e., starting an immediate, unconditional and total withdrawal from Iraq. Hitler, back in the day, had the scent of oil when he invaded Russia in 1941: he was hoping to occupy the Baku oil fields in southern Russia to fuel his war machine. The Russian people just didn't cotton up to his imperial plans. And the Iraqi people don't seem to be cottoning up to the Bush crime family's imperial occupation of their country..
He is a liar. Let's hope that cold turns into something serious.
Fuck Warner. The best, surest and fastest way to get the troops home is the impeachment of Bush and Cheney. Enough of this smoke and mirrors and goal post moving. It's long past time to put the rubber to the road.
IMPEACH!
Warner is a Repig prick....He is "playing" his usual and customary game.."POLITICS".
His statments are full of loop holes and IF he were sincere, he would be calling for
the withdrawal of troops IMMEDIATELY, not..."a limited number by Christmas". Do
not trust Warner, for he is as slimy as O.Hatch and his buddy Specter.
The troops should come home asap !!
Stop spending tax dollars !!
http://jimcotton.blogspot.com
WANKER
This is going to be the meme for the rest of shrub's term - bringing home a few troops here or there and making a big fucking public deal about it being a major change in strategy. Can't you just see the endless Christmas stories on Fox? Daddy/soldier coming home a hero, the 2 year old running toward his dad... blah blah blah....
Then we're supposed to be all happy that a few troops get to come home. This little nothing is meant to relieve some of the pressure on bush without doing one fucking thing that means anything at all.
hey, when do the folks on F-X news start charging him with "cutting and running?"
My first thought when I heard Sen. Warner's, R-VA, statement (But he must announce at least “a single redeployment of some several thousand” soldiers.) was how many soldiers from Virginia are over in Iraq?
You see, there are now over 150,000 of our troops in Iraq, both regular, national guard and "called-up" reservists...and...there are 50 states, so by my estimate there are probably "several thousand" soldiers in Iraq from Virginia.
Just curious.
You can draw your own conclusions.
That plan for 5000 troops to begin coming home suspiciously coincides with the 5000 or so troops finishing thier tour of duty..at the same time.
In other words, its a con, a bait and switch, giving you something you already had and making it seem the republicans are doing you a favor.
Country boy talk= he is pissin on our backs and telling us its raining..
There's a good chance Warner discussed his announcement with bush before he made his silly little announcement, of course there will be troops coming home , but that doesn't mean the OCCUPAtion will end and most Iraqis want a COMPLETE withdrawal of all occupation forces , but since Warner, bush & Co. KNOW , there will be an unending occupation, they have to come out with a little song and dance , hey look at us , we are working on bring'n the boys home .
It's real simple, if you don't hear them say a COMPLETE withdrawal , they support the occupation and of course bush and the neocons won't ever admit they plan to occupy Iraq, they all lie, play this little Kabuki dance, arguing when the time is right. The time is RIGHT NOW !
Wow!!! I wonder if the President put the good Senator up to this Press conference??
John Warner, war criminal. He actively helped Bush and pals thwart investigations into the torture in Abu Ghraib. He helped them hide the photos and videos that he promised to reveal to the American people.
War criminal.
t-bone @ 1:
No. He's a fool ......who should have retired two facelifts ago.
Warner is covering his ass for next year's election by being on both sides of the issue--bringing home 5000 troops out of 160,000 isn't even undoing a fraction of the Surge. But Warner watchers of 30 years wouldn't expect anything else from one of the empty suits of our time:
http://ajliebling.blogspot.com/2007/08/senates-silver-idiot.html
Just watch this old crusty bastard will be voting to keep the troops in Iraq on the very next call to bring them home.
This ass hole is running for re-election folks so do not let him play this sick game anymore.
Vote this old disgusting bastard out of office.
So let's see if he's going to put his money where his mouth is and join the Democrats.
This is all a new plot to continue the war and bring more billions into the coffers of the War Profiteers. All of this anti Mallaki is nothing more than part of the plan, replace him and declare a new way to stay the course. Why do you think Diane Fienstein jumped right in? To support her husbands business of course! Everything these prople do is transparent, but the fools continue to buy it. Don't count on the Dem leaders, their only interest is to protect their political careers. What to do? The only thing that they understand is taking away their money. The quickest way to do that is to boycott all mainstream media, that includes the cable networks, use the internet, stop supporting networks like Fox, that means all of their channels, sports, news, re-runs, prime time and feature films. Never will happen, will it?
So much careful back and forth on how, when and how not to redraw - on top of complete and utter recklessness going in...
just another repube paper tiger.
the repube motto ...all the sizzle without the steak.
yawn
Smoke & mirrors for the masses.....Add 30,000 troops and then "withdrawl" 5,000....see we're withdrawling....and the beat goes on.
Never trust Warner. He is a dedicated antiConstitutional, anti-liberty fascist who history is going to remember as a Class A war criminal. He does not serve the People or the Constitution.
It's not a start.
5,000 troops isn't even a token gesture.
The real headline is that Warner has explicitly stated that the Congress has no role in deciding troop levels. He's just asking the president to please send a couple of boys home so we can all go on pretending that something has changed.
Warner doesn't break wind without permission from the Executive Branch.
Not an independent thought or bone in his lock stepping body. But its a
great ploy Senator. It might gain you 10 votes in the next election, but
don't count on it. Warner's record as "Enabler in Chief" in the Senate
is quite secure. Perhaps he should switch careers to Stand up Comedian.
He certainly has plenty of practice.
I'd be happy to see troops coming home at the end of their deployment instead of getting extended for more and more months.
As far as withdrawing, we owe it to the Iraqi people to create a free and stable country in Iraq. Unfortunantly, I think that will take 10 years or so before they know what freedom feels like and that it is really worth fighting for. If we leave now, we will have another country that hates us, probably ruled by a dictator who will not just ignore terrorists, but who will likely encourage and support them. Let's withdraw now and watch Armageddon happen
www.morningglobe.com
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