John Warner (R-VA): Situation in Iraq "simply drifting sideways"

[Human Torch]

Leading Republican offers dismal view of Iraq
Senate Armed Services chairman says 'bold decisions' may be needed

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15155638/

CAPITOL HILL - The Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, a Bush loyalist offered his darkest assessment of Iraq yet on Thursday, suggesting the war there was “drifting sideways” without a firm commitment from its government to disarm militias and rebuild the country.

Returning from a recent trip to the region, Sen. John Warner said the military had done what it could, and if after three months the Iraqis have made no progress to calm ethnic violence and hasten reconstruction, then Congress will have to make some “bold decisions.”

Warner did not say what he thinks Congress should do but said all options will be considered. Lawmakers have suggested various remedies, including a timetable to pull out U.S. troops and dividing the country into smaller, independent ethnic states. “There is progress being made in certain areas,” Warner said, but “you just find that so many communities don’t even have drinking water. ... It seems to me that the situation is simply drifting sideways.”

While Warner has expressed grave worries about Iraq in the past, his description of a nation hobbled by violent ethnic killings and an ineffective government was his most pessimistic yet. It underscored growing misgivings among Republicans facing elections in November that will decide whether their party maintain control of Congress. All 435 seats in the House of Representatives and 33 of the 100 in the Senate are being decided, and Democrats could win the House with a pickup of 15 seats and the Senate by gaining six.

[Burried News]

1. One of the engineers says the building is leaning ...

you're pathetic Warner.

[blm]

2. Warner has been leaning to Kerry-Feingold withdrawal plan since summer.

His trip to Iraq affirmed for him that he can't keep supporting Bush and the status quo much longer.

I am predicting Warner joins with Kerry and Feingold and submits a Kerry-Feingold - Warner withdrawal plan early next year (or Warner-Kerry-Feingold if GOPs stay in control).

[Donnachaidh]

3. drifting sideways -- is this Republican LIE dancing?

[LynnTheDem]

4. "dividing the country"...

There really is no end to American arrogance (and stupidity), is there.

And ya wonder why we're so hated.

[Virginia Dare]

5. Republicans are toast over this if they don't figure out...

something soon, disaster is looming not too far down the road and they know it, they're just trying to get through the elections, then cooler heads will attempt to take over.

I think chimpy will be going on a nice long vacation to Texas at the end of the year while the Party leaders figure out what the hell to do.

[Imagevision]

6. Congress will have to make some “bold decisions.” like, peace with honor"