Reid calls for 'real' Iraq plan; Pelosi sees Social Security fight

[Q]

Top Democrats speak ahead of State of Union

Reid calls for 'real' Iraq plan; Pelosi sees Social Security fight

Monday, January 31, 2005 Posted: 12:00 PM EST (1700 GMT)


WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a pre-emptive strike before President Bush's State of the Union address, Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid called on the administration Monday to outline an exit strategy for Iraq while his House counterpart vowed lasting opposition to Social Security benefit cuts.

Reid, D-Nevada, also said it would be a mistake to set a deadline for the withdrawal of American forces.

"That's not a wise decision because it only empowers those who don't want us there," he said in a joint appearance with House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California.

In remarks at the National Press Club, Reid said that Sunday's elections in Iraq marked "a first step in helping figure out a way that the U.S. can get out of Iraq ... We have to figure out a way to remove ourselves from there with dignity."

Pelosi spoke dismissively of the reception Bush is likely to receive from GOP lawmakers on Wednesday night in the first State of the Union address of his second term. "You really don't have to have very good communication skills if you have a couple of hundred people who will jump to their feet when you recite the ABCs," she said.

"What the president says, the president will be held accountable for," she added. --- http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/31/democrats.bush.ap/index.html

[Q]

1. I disagree with Reid...

...about it being a 'mistake' to set a deadline for the withdrawal of troops. I believe this would actually help bring peace and cooperation from Iraqis that believe the real plan is for the US to establish a permanent presence and military bases.

It's kind of naive to call for an 'exit strategy' without including a plan to withdraw troops over time.

[AlinPA]

2. These two people only show up on CSPAN and have no impact.

[DalvaThree]

3. keep up the heat Reid

[trochanter8]

4. Reid also said he disagrees with

Teddy Kennedy. Are there any Dems that have come out and agreed with Kennedy?

[rniel]

5. Bush's exit strategy

Is to invade iran.

[Jensen]

6. Iran is next !