Senate Republicans Block Iraq Timetable [View All]

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051115/ap_on_go_co/congress_iraq


WASHINGTON - The Republican-controlled Senate on Tuesday easily defeated a Democratic effort to call for President Bush to outline a timetable for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The vote was 58-40 against a Democratic plan that the minority party's leadership advanced 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 alternative, urging that 2006 "should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty," with Iraqi forces taking the lead in providing security — a step lawmakers hope will speed a reduction of U.S. forces.

Given the Republican majority, passage seemed a certainty.

"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-Tenn.

.... Has anyone mentioned the permanent US bases in Iraq??