"Support for Kerry's Speech" by Tom Hayden [View All]

[LittleClarkie]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tom-hayden/support-for-kerry-speech_b_9632.html

Over at the Huffington Post:

RESPONSE TO JOHN KERRY GEORGETOWN SPEECH THIS WEEK

I would hope the Senator will call for hearings and discussion on an exit strategy followed by a Senate resolution, but his proposals are ice-breakers in the official discussion in the Senate chamber. As I understand the specific proposals:

- emphasizing the primacy of a political settlement. The reference to the report of the Iraqi Sovereignty Committee is the first such reference by a national figure or reporter.

- the acknowledgement that a political solution is only possible if the Iraqis see the possibility of an American withdrawal is good, certainly far better than the usual notion that we should seek a political solution while continuing to pursue military victory.

- an international conference including “Iraq's neighbors” is good, although I would urge the inclusion of the Iraqi opposition and seek the authorization of the United Nations.

- setting a 12-15 timetable for a “majority of our combat troops” to withdraw is a move in the right direction and may turn out to be realistic. But I think it should be formulated by the Senator as an initial withdrawal by Christmas, a de-escalation of offensive operations in early 2006 after the Iraqi elections, a withdrawal of all US guard and reservists in 2006, the rest out in 2007 Getting into debates about “now” or one year from now is secondary to the question of whether we are planning a full withdrawal or not.