New Will Pitt post

[whometense]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062006R.shtml

Seeking a Better Debate

The Republican majority in Congress labored mightily last week to derail and distract any discussion of an exit strategy from Iraq. In the House of Representatives, a debate aimed at whether or not to establish a timetable for withdrawal collapsed under a rhetorical onslaught from the Right. In order to adequately describe the experience of watching the so-called House "debate" on June 15th, it is necessary to crib a line from Harper Lee: enduring that utterly empty proceeding left one with the sensation of sinking slowly to the bottom of the ocean.

On the same day, the Senate saw Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) abscond with a measure soon to be proposed by John Kerry (D-Mass.) which would have virtually all American troops removed from Iraq by year's end. McConnell's theft ensured that the measure died a swift death.

The debates in both chambers were redirected by strategy memos, prepared specifically for Republicans by Republicans, that outlined stay-the-course talking points. In the House, Majority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) distributed a memo that required GOP members to bring 9/11 into the discussion as often as possible while attacking Democrats as weak and vacillating. The debate was redirected in this fashion with dreary regularity. In the end, a measure to establish a timetable for withdrawal was defeated by a vote of 256-153...

...This week, however, is another matter entirely. Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Carl Levin (D-Mich.) have extended the debate with legislation calling for a phased withdrawal of troops from Iraq and a shifting of forces to other nations, with a small contingent remaining in Iraq to train Iraqi troops. The resolution requires Bush to establish a redeployment plan for troops remaining in Iraq after 2006. Senator Kerry is also pressing ahead with his resolution to have virtually all American troops withdrawn from Iraq by December 31st.

The Republican-controlled Congressional debate last week was a farce, a cruel insult delivered on the very day the number of American troops killed in Iraq reached 2,500 souls. The continuing debate this week offers far more substance, thanks entirely to those Democrats who have established a strong legislative agenda on the issue. The Democratic Party is working out how and when a withdrawal from Iraq should take place, but they are united behind the fundamental premise that an exit strategy is absolutely required. The Democratic measures being offered in Congress serve to push this all-important debate in the proper direction.

[Blaukraut]

1. it's refreshing to read a story about the amendment(s) without

nasty barbs and snark. It can get disheartening. Good to see WillPitt on it :-)

[jillan]

2. It is refreshing to see some serious debate going on about this

Let the talking heads take shots at the dems for debating, and discussing Iraq.

It is so much more than the rethugs are doing. All we get from them is talking points.
The Dems are trying to work this out by using their brains, not just their mouths.

It makes me sick that the R's are playing politics while people are fighting for their lives, while mothers in Iraq can;t even be sure if their kids will make it home from school. It is wrong. And no matter what comes out of the democrats debating each other, it will be at least 100x better than no exit strategy at all.

[ginnyinWI]

3. I don't think the people will be fooled this time around.

Their ploys have become all too familiar. Once people decide something about * and the GOP in general, it will be hard to change them back. Let them have their far right fringe--we'll take the other 75%! All they're doing is making themselves look even more foolish--if that's possible.

My barometer is my RW dad. He's saying stuff like "government can't do anything right!" Ok that's not exactly a Dem stance, but people like him probably won't feel like there is any reason to vote this fall.