There are now three Democratic plans in the Senate for troop withdrawal

[Mass]

at the end of the year:

Kerry (Apr 6)
http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/774

Feingold (May 2)

http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/896

and

Harkin: (May 3)

http://www.senatedemocrats.net/node/909

May be you guys could sit together and find a common ground. These proposals do not seem that different that you cannot agree together. Or is it all about a proposal with your name on it?

[babylonsister]

1. I do wish they'd come up with one plan and show a bit of

unity. It makes me think they don't even communicate with each other. I frankly don't care who has dibs on the name, it needs to get done in unison.

[ginnyinWI]

2. I watched a political discussion on Charlie Rose last night--

someone, I think it was Jonathan Alter, said that they are planning on unveiling some sort of "Contract with America" type thing this fall, closer to the election. Newt G. unveiled his original "Contract" in September of that election year, so the timing will be right.

Ha--I almost think it will be unneccessary by then, the slide down the tubes by the Repubs will be so bad! But of couse this will be a good addition.

So patience! It's a-comin'! ;)

[babylonsister]

3. One question: what are they waiting for? Lives are at stake

every day they delay.:-(

[ginnyinWI]

4. well, I don't think anything will happen before the election,

quite frankly--unless the Repubs in Congress decide to do something because they fear what will happen in the election if they don't. Until the Dems actually get a majority in the House or Senate, they won't have power to do more than talk about it.
Getting a unified message out before the election is politcally timed so that exactly that can happen--so that Dems will get elected and we can start to turn things around.

[kerrygoddess]

5. I'm reading Alter's FDR book

It's very good. I'm planning to write a review soon.

[JI7]

6. i would like to see the 3 of them debate it

not press release type stuff. but on the Senate Floor. have a conversation with each other, discuss and debate. i'm sure they would find a common ground on a lot and could start working together from there.

[karynnj]

7. I think they all just want their name on a bill

Kerry's is the only one that deals with the political and the military side.

Harkin's adds no permanent bases, but Kerry (and probably Feingold) have demanded this for years. I don't know if anyone has expicitly spoken of Iraq controlling the oil - but that may be because it should be expected.