GOP Says "No" To Iraq Exit Timetable

In a flawed and desperate attempt to piggyback their constant second-guessing about a war they all said "yes" to, Democrat senators tried to pass a resolution calling for a timetable to end the war in Iraq.

From CNN.com:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday easily defeated a Democratic effort to pressure President Bush to outline a timetable for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. It then overwhelmingly endorsed a weaker statement calling on the administration to explain its Iraq policy.

Senators also overwhelmingly voted to endorse the Bush administration's military tribunals for prosecuting suspected foreign terrorists held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, but to allow detainees to appeal their status and punishments to a federal court.

On the question of a timetable for troop withdrawal, senators rejected the Democrats' measure by 58-40. Democratic leaders had advanced the timetable measure in the wake of declining public support for a conflict that has claimed more than 2,000 U.S. lives and cost more than $200 billion.

Republicans countered with their own non-binding alternative. It urged that 2006 "should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty," with Iraqi forces taking the lead in providing security to create the conditions for the phased redeployment of United States forces.

On a 79-19 vote, the Senate approved that GOP-sponsored proposal, which did not call for the president to put forth a withdrawal timetable unlike the Democratic proposal.

"They want an exit strategy, a cut-and-run exit strategy. What we are for is a successful strategy," said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee.

Excellent job by the GOP!

Setting a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq is incredibly stupid. Al Qaeda has already shown that they have the patience to wait and plan. This loony attempt by Democrats is nothing but the chest beating antics of politicians trying to take advantage of the President's low poll ratings, not looking out for our troops.