Reid: The British Acknowledge a Reality Bush Refuses to Accept

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Reid: The British Acknowledge a Reality Bush Refuses to Accept

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid today released the following statement on news that the British government will begin to redeploy its troops from Iraq.

"By announcing its decision to redeploy troops from Iraq, the British
Government has acknowledged a reality that President Bush still stubbornly
refuses to accept. There can be no purely military solution in Iraq. The
British recognize there must be a political solution, and the Iraqis
themselves must make the necessary political compromises. It is past time
for President Bush to acknowledge that basic truth.

"Today's news is further evidence that the Bush plan to escalate the
war is misguided, and demonstrates once again why it was strongly rejected
by bipartisan majorities of the House and Senate. At a time when President
Bush is asking our troops to shoulder a larger and unsustainable burden
policing a civil war, his failed policies have left us increasingly
isolated in Iraq and less secure here at home. Instead of escalating
against the express will of Congress and the American people, the President
should follow the advice of military leaders and the bipartisan Iraq Study
Group and change course in Iraq."

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/02-21-2007/0004531893&EDATE=WED+Feb+21+2007,+12:05+PM

[AzDar]

1. Yes, Harry..that is why Congress must MAKE him accept. Checks and freakin' balances!

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2. Reid: Senate may move ahead Mon. with effort limiting '02 measure authorizing Bush's use of force

CARSON CITY, Nev. (AP) - U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid questioned Tuesday whether word of a possible British troop withdrawal from Iraq would pressure President Bush into changing his war strategy, and said Senate Democrats will move ahead with their own efforts to limit the president's authority.

Asked about the impact of a possible announcement by Prime Minister Tony Blair of a new troop withdrawal timetable, Reid, D-Nev., said he doubted whether ``it would make too much difference'' for Bush.

``Well, in the past they've ignored everybody. So they might must ignore him too,'' Reid said. ``Realistically it will give those of us who believe the course in Iraq is headed in the wrong direction ... more confidence that what we're doing is the right thing to do.''

Reid also said Senate Democrats may move ahead on Monday with an effort to limit the 2002 measure authorizing Bush's use of force in Iraq. That move is planned despite a warning from Senate Republicans that it's certain to be vetoed and the veto would be upheld.

Reid also repeated his statement that Iraq ``is the worst foreign policy blunder in the history of our country.'' He said the war can't be won militarily, and what's needed is a political and regional solution that involves those with ``a larger stake in the neighborhood,'' including Iran.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,,-6429426,00.html

[angrychair]

3. Just wondering...

If the mission in Iraq is so important to Australia (reference John Howard's recent comments) and the UK (half their troops now leaving the country)than WHY are they reducing their troop levels? If its so important to them, then they need to just move those troops from Basra to Baghdad and help out. Its not as if the help is not needed. If John Howard has so much fire in his belly for victory in Iraq then why not throw a couple more shrimp on the barbie and help a good friend out. All these people talk about how important this whole thing is but the United States is the one bellying up to the bar with 98% of the manpower (99% of the deaths)and 99.8% of the money. Why is that? Howard doesn't like Barack Obama's ideas for Iraq then he needs to either pony up 10,000 more troops or shut his mouth. Blair talks about being a "partner" and "friend" with the U.S. but decides to pick up his toys and go home for dinner. I look at it like this. Picture yourself in a bar with a couple of loud mouth friends. All together your talking crap and telling stories and before you know it a fight starts. Your friends Brit and Den and Bruno finish up with their one guy and then stand around watch 3 guys kicking the tar out of you then get bored and slip out the back door. Before you know it, your bloody and broke because someone still had to pay the tab.
In short, I just don't understand how anyone in the * administration can look out to a group of reporters or into a camera and keep a straight face while telling them that the UK withdraw is "sign of our success in Iraq". What a load of crap!!!!

[newyawker99]

5. Hi angrychair!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

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6. You're right, angrychair, it is a load of crap

we're paying the price for Bush's brawls

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. Expecting Bush to acknowledge reality?

Maybe a whole lot of coke and LSD would actually improve his grasp of reality, it's so far gone now.

[randycrow]

7. Reid is deceiving us again

Democrat Harry Reid, Senate Majority leader, has failed twice to get the Senate to pass a resolution to debate whether or not a Neocon led USA should be allowed to send more of our brave soldiers to fight and die in Iraq spreading communi$m. When the Senate starts debating then and only then will Reid's words ring true. When the Neocon led USA attacks Iran or manipulates Iran to attack us and the Straights of Hormuz is closed and and a barrel of oil sells for $250.00 per barrel what are the odds Iran is blamed for massive USA hyperinflation? 110%. Neocons manipulated oil prices up in 1973 and 1979. Its how they destitute the middle class financially and transfer our money to the super rich. Harry Reid has put the farmer in the gasoline business and high corn prices are driving inflation. Harry Reid is a Neocon big as Dallas and he is going to a lot of trouble to convince us otherwise.