GOP support for Iraq war on shaky ground

[onehandle]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON - Republican support for the Iraq war remained on shaky ground in Congress but wasn't lost after a four-star general recommended keeping some 130,000 U.S. troops in the country through next summer. With Gen. David Petraeus scheduled to testify Tuesday before Senate committees heavy with 2008 presidential candidates, many rank-and-file Republicans said they still were uneasy about the lack of political progress in Iraq. But they also remained reluctant to embrace legislation ordering troops home by next spring, increasing the likelihood that Democrats will have to soften their approach if they want to pass an anti-war proposal.

"I think people recognize the surge (in U.S. troops) has made a difference, but it hasn't enabled the Iraqi government to get its act together," said Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill., among the nearly dozen House Republicans who went to the White House last spring to personally relay their concerns about the war to President Bush. "There's going to continue to be some heartburn," he said, adding that he would like to see Bush call for new elections in Iraq and possibly a more drastic drawdown of troops than suggested by Petraeus. He said he is not keen on forcing a timetable on the war.

The view of LaHood and other Republicans will factor in heavily as Democrats decide their next step. Democrats had anticipated that a larger number of Republicans by now would have turned against Bush on the war because of grim poll numbers and the upcoming 2008 elections.

Without their support, Democrats repeatedly have fallen short of enough votes to pass legislation ordering troop withdrawals to begin this fall and be completed by spring.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070911/ap_on_go_co/us_iraq

[and-justice-for-all]

1. Shaky? More like quicksand..nt

[BlueManDude]

2. this is baloney. when push comes to shove they will always vote for more war.

[rodeodance]

6. yeah, maybe a bit shaky, but on big shakes to shake some real spine into them.

[Olney Blue]

3. Republicans support the war. Most Americans don't.

Even Rove's math should be able to figure that out for the 2008 election.

[Dhalgren]

4. It won't really matter. Any Democrat elected to the Dictatorship will

continue the war, just as any Republican would. I guess the message is, "Don't cast your vote for war/peace issues, but for some other issues - where Democrats and Republicans differ...give me a minute, there has to be some issues... Choice! Most Democrats support a woman's right to choose! Most Democrats do! But that is about it...

[Demeter]

5. The GOP Is Full of Adrenalin Junkies, Then

Living on the edge of danger for the thrill of it. Getting away with crimes is their goal in life.

[maseman]

7. It's just heartburn

according to Rep. LaHood. Say that to a family member who lost a loved one. "It's just some heartburn." Say that to a female soldier who lost her legs in Iraq..."It's just heartburn." Say that to a soldier who is having severe traumatic stress disorder and cannot function well once returned to the United States..."It's just heartburn."

You know LaHood, that huge fancy Italian dinner you ate with 5 courses over wine and cigars in DC with your pals is what gives you fucking heartburn. What an extremely insensitive thing to say you douche bag. These people make me ill.