Domenici Announces Shift In Iraq Policy, Calls For Starting Troop Redeployment
Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) has been a strong supporter of President Bush’s Iraq policies. In April, he voted against legislation to set deadlines for the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
Today at a press conference in Albuquerque, Domenici announced a shift in his policies, stating that he now supports decreasing the U.S. troop presence in Iraq. From his press release:
I want a new strategy for Iraq. I continue to completely support the men and women in the American Armed Forces. They have not failed us. It is the Iraqi government that is failing to make even modest progress to help Iraq itself or to merit the sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform. I am unwilling to continue our current strategy.
I have carefully studied the Iraq situation, and believe we cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely while the Iraqi government is not making measurable progress to move its country forward. I do not support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops. But I do support a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path to coming home.
Domenici has decided to cosponsor S.1545, which embraces the recommendations in the Iraq Study Group Report. It calls for creating the conditions that could allow for a drawdown of combat forces by March of 2008, but does not set a deadline.
This shift is significant for Domenici, who is up for re-election in 2008. In January, he said that he was “willing to give the [escalation] plan the President has outlined a chance.” In June 2006, Domenici stated, “I reject any notion that setting a definite timetable for withdrawal would be a good idea. I believe it would merely encourage the terrorists within Iraq, hamstring the Iraqi civil authorities, and draw more foreign terrorists to Iraq.”
Domenici joins Republican senators George Voinovich (OH) and John Warner (VA), who have indicated support for legislation to draw down U.S. involvement in Iraq. Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN) also recently criticized the President, stating that the United States must “downsize the U.S. military’s role in Iraq and place much more emphasis on diplomatic and economic options.”
For a progressive exit strategy from Iraq, the Center for American Progress has a Strategic Reset plan that would withdraw virtually all U.S. troops within one year.
UPDATE: Heath Haussamen has more.
UPDATE II: Atrios has doubts on whether Domenici will actually live up to his rhetoric: “[T]rying to change our Iraq policy involves more than just getting behind some piece of legislation or another which is unlikely to pass. It involves a willingness to get behind just about anything that forces a change in policy, even if you’re not fully on board with those things because you consider them to be better than the status quo of “staying the course” to preserve the fragile ego of the idiot manchild.”
UPDATE III: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid issued this statement:
Senator Domenici is correct to assess that the Administration’s war strategy is misguided. But we will not see a much-needed change of course in Iraq until Republicans like Senators Domenici, Lugar and Voinovich are willing to stand up to President Bush and his stubborn clinging to a failed policy — and more importantly, back up their words with action. Beginning with the Defense Authorization bill next week, Republicans will have the opportunity to not just say the right things on Iraq, but vote the right way too so that we can bring the responsible end to this war that the American people demand and deserve.
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75 Responses to “Domenici Announces Shift In Iraq Policy, Calls For Starting Troop Redeployment”
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I'm sick of talk. Get back to me when you've actually done something...
July 5th, 2007 at 3:08 pmLet's bring this up for a vote, and see if he say yes or no...
July 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pmDomenici's fancy footwork will do little to reestablish the conservative brand before the elections. Too little too late; he'll be feeling the wrath of voters soon.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pmLugar, Warner, Domenici...
The dominoes are falling!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:10 pmWhy does he hate the troops?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pmWho?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pmIt is the Iraqi government that is failing to make even modest progress to help Iraq itself or to merit the sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform.
Yes, a new victim to blame for your failures. How terribly conservative of you.
Here's a tip - next time you wanna 'liberate people', make sure they are in teh middle fo a full-blown Revolution that they themselves CHOSE to initiate.
I bet within a decade, Iraq will again be run by another Saddam-type Dictator and we'll have slaughtered all those innocent Iraqi people for nothing but war profits and control of oil in the Middle East.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:12 pmIt is the Iraqi government that is failing to make even modest progress to help Iraq itself or to merit the sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform. I am unwilling to continue our current strategy.
Yeah, that erroneously invaded country´s government...pffffft.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:12 pmLet’s bring this up for a vote, and see if he say yes or no…
Comment by Krazny — July 5, 2007 @ 3:10 pm
Exactly! Unless they are willing to go on record in this capacity, then just STFU.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:13 pmComment by unbelievable
You forgot the part about it all being liberals' fault.
They won't.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:14 pmOily Peter greases his skids once more.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:15 pmLet's see if he survives his fateful phone call to Attorney General Iglesias.
The other aspect is the tremendous military community in New Mexico.
We can look at this in a positive light, in that he is responding to the wishes of his constituents, and not just the oil and defense contractor industries.
You forgot the part about it all being liberals’ fault.
Because we opposed this criminal occupation from the beginning? That makes as much sense as anything else they spew in here...
They won’t.
Comment by barfly — July 5, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
It's funny how much they 'misremember' stuff, isn't it... or perhaps I should say n'est pas, since brushing upon my French isn't a bad idea ;D
July 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pmI say send Scooter Libby to Iraq to be the new viceroy. Moqtada Al Scooter.
-GSD
July 5th, 2007 at 3:17 pmDomenici must be up for reelection in 2008.
Sorry, Pete, too little too late.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pmHmmm... Senator Domenici wouldn't be facing re-election in 2008, would he???
July 5th, 2007 at 3:19 pmThe Iraqi Govt. has FAILED to reach an Oil deal, to divide Iraq's oil up among all its citizens. As a matter of fact, a Religious Fatwah was issued against anyone signing such a deal. The chances of the Govt. reaching an agreement before they go on Vaction at the end of July are about zero, despite Strong pressure from the United States.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:20 pmAny senator up for election in 2008 will have a Hard Time supporting Bush's OPEN ENDED war strategy.
Dancing Pete! Dance, Pete! faster, faster, faster!
-GSD
July 5th, 2007 at 3:20 pmAbandon ship!!!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pmThis shift is significant for Domenici, who is up for re-election in 2008.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pmBadger, the oil deal is to divide the Iraqi oil up for the Western oil companies, not the Iraqi people.
-GSD
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pmThere have been a few good quality leaders in the Democratic Party that have really come to the aid of many many families. I have heard stories from west coast families, desert families
in those states. Additionally, I'm in touch with numerous families on a daily basis. The ones that literally, get blown off are sitting in red states. They have red congressmen that could careless.
That is a true fact.
For example the day the extensions were announced my telephone rang none stop with concerns screaming from red states. Why? Because they have no support from these war supporters in DC.
Sadly, most people don't understand that it is a team effort approach. And by further infecting the red boards with highly damaging charts DOES make a difference. Turn those red congressmen over to get the hell out of iraq.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pmELK
He was for it before he was against it. Who can trust him?
Not sure why he would even bother, he's going to lose the election over his involvement in the US attorney's scandal. This little change of heart won't turn things around.
The Republicans are toast in 08.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:21 pmAll must realize the only way out of this "nightmare" is to infect all red sites with financial data.
Post under troop car pool board below.....commodity charts
All red voters must eat and gas up their cars. This will "turn" those votes over to the democrats.
And yes the progressive democrats are further ahead in ideas with the main stream american public at large.
The other areas are a few BLUE DOG Democrats that are living in old times.....slow as mud to turn.
Elk
July 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pmthe oil deal is to divide the Iraqi oil up for the Western oil companies, not the Iraqi people.
-GSD
Yeah ...that Might have something to do with the Iraqi's reluctance to sign it.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:25 pmHe'll be called to visit the White House soon.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:26 pmI read the Declaration of Indepence yesterday - some phrases really stand out:
"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."
There is a lot more, but go read it yourself, and see how applicable it is.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:27 pmSomehow I think he's lying.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:28 pmCaption:
"Do you like my Donald Rumsfeld impersonation?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:31 pmHe used to work for me, you know, and I got a really good deal for him on this swanky estancia in Arroyo Seco....."
He is just throwing the Dems a bone so they won't come after him for the whole fired US Attorneys and the role he played, and for the whole voter fraud thing. That is also not taking into account he is up for re-election next year.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:31 pmLOL look at Domenici's face pic on here > he is a mean GOPer fool.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:33 pmNice picture.. He looks like my son does when he is pouting.. Though, my son is much cuter. ;-)
July 5th, 2007 at 3:33 pmDomenici must be up for reelection in 2008.
Sorry, Pete, too little too late.
Comment by VerbalKint — July 5, 2007 @ 3:19 pm
I don't think he'll get David Igleisias' vote.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:33 pmA reporter just back from Afghanistan was on c-span this morning. Apparently, the Afghan govt. is Worried about the increase in IEDs, and suicide bombers turning the relatively peacefull Kabul into another Baghdad. The Taliban, being warriors, had been confronting Western troops head on, and getting their clocks cleaned. Now they are LEARNING FROM THE IRAQI INSURGENCY how to conduct ASYMETRIC Warefare.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:36 pmBush's strategy seems to be Fighting them over there so we can fight them over there. Is he TRYING to lose two Wars????
Let's see how the rat votes while pretending to jump ship but not really doing so.
So far he really didn't say anything. Saying that he is for some future day ending the war and bringing the troops home, is weak, one might say.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:37 pmJ.G. I was just about to submit the same basic comment. It must be true!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:38 pmHe’s just flip-flopping for re-election purposes. After he’s re-elected, (God forbid) he’ll return to supporting the war, you can bet on it. Of course, all of this is mute if Gonzalez keeps shitting on him. These people are shitty.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:40 pmI was referring to the curry favor with the Democrats, although I am sure your son is much cuter.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:40 pmYes. The Chimpy strategy has given Al Qaeda a university to train jihadis in urban warfare, assymetric warfare. Heckuva job.
-GSD
July 5th, 2007 at 3:43 pmUh oh, Pete, you'd better watch your back now. Rush and Michael Savage and Glenn Reynolds and William Kristol and Morton Kondracke are putting the finishing touches on their editorials denouncing you as an Islamofascist-loving traitor, and Droopy Joe Lieberman is about to take the Senate floor to express his profound disappointment about your support for Al Queda.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:43 pmSurrender monkey!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:45 pmComment by cynicalgirl — July 5, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
CHENEY 2008!!!
July 5th, 2007 at 3:46 pmWhich repuke up for re-election will bolt next? My guess is Norm Coleman.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:51 pmThis is a familiar tune, when push comes to shove he will back the administration.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:51 pmCHENEY 2008!!!
Comment by Mr. President — July 5, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
As always, i'm with ya on this one, Mr. Pee. I would LOVE to see the Republics nominate for president a man with an approval rating in the teens and well-known as the actual power behind the worst administration in history. the Democrats could run Denis Kucinich and win. Hell, the Democrats could run Rosie O'Donnell and win! Wouldn't that fry your goat?
July 5th, 2007 at 3:51 pmDomenicis looking pretty pale, guess he doesn't spend much time in his home state anymore... or even above ground, for that matter.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:52 pmWell, at least he's not calling for the firing of anymore US Attorneys.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:55 pmThe anchor chain is getting more and more crowded with pro-war rats.
July 5th, 2007 at 3:56 pmHow obvious is this....?? another senator up for re election
July 5th, 2007 at 3:57 pmIsn't he up for reelection in 2008? Every 4 years these Conservos run as moderates or Democrats... don't be fooled this time people... He wanted an honest man, Iglesias, out of the US attorney's office because he was too honest.
Do the right thing. Vote him out.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:07 pmYeah, and the Check's in the mail, Dom. sure. I'll believe it when I see the roll call.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:10 pmThis consists of a lot of words bunched together, seemingly to support some kind of withdrawal and/or redeployment. The Repub who uttered these words will not vote-certify his rhetoric any time soon. It's just his attempt to stave off his pending, and final, reelection bid.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:13 pmWell, at least he’s not calling for the firing of anymore US Attorneys.
Comment by humboldtblue — July 5, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
No, I suspect they got "the right man for the job" in there this time.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:14 pm"It is the Iraqi government that is failing to make even modest progress to help Iraq itself or to merit the sacrifices being made by our men and women in uniform."
yeah, who could have predicted that!?
July 5th, 2007 at 4:19 pmOk, put your hands down now.
Lugar, Warner, Domenici....the dominoes are falling and you time in office is expiring....not a moment too soon.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:21 pmIt's my understanding this man is a piece of petrified wood, dressed as a moron.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:22 pmactually, Pete, you crooked sob, the blame falls squarely on the shoulders of lunatic idiots such as yourself, who were ever naive enough to believe military intervention in Iraq could or would succeed. have fun sleeping with the ghosts you've created for the rest of your miserable life, you contemptible old whore
July 5th, 2007 at 4:25 pmHe may have been wrong, but that is only half the story.
We need all the help we can get to end this unacceptable state of affairs. Come on down, Domenici!
Yes, he's up for re-election. However, he would probably get reelected without this stand. (But don't forget his role in getting Iglesias canned, in any case)
We sometimes forget just how powerful is the voice of the people. Even in this day and age.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:31 pmIsn't it interesting how Republicans who are desperate to find a way out of this nightmare, who might be coming to their senses (if only minimally), are still stuboornly loathe to admit that their Commander in Chief (and those fanatical neocons) screwed up and instead, conveniently now blame those "incompetent" Iraqis for what is happening in Iraq. Wonderful use of scapegoating. Yes, that's the reason we're getting our asses kicked in Iraq: the Iraqis! Very big of you Pete! Pathetic.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:46 pmUp for re-election huh?? Lets see just how gullible those N.M. Sheeple are. if this little smokescreen will confuse them. Otherwise, kick his butt out of office, and oh, btw, no pension for any of these scoundrels. Killed a lot of good american soldiers, not to mention 1 Million Iraqi civilians. Deplorable.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:51 pmThis is the GOP plan to shift ownership of the Iraq occupation to the Democrats.
First, Bush vetoes timelines.
Second, Senate Republicans filibuster new bill therefore Democrats MUST refund troops.
Third, Republicans now come out for redeployment and/or withdrawel.
Propaganda time!!! Dems want to keep troops in Iraq. Reps want troops out. FOX Noise catapults the propaganda.
July 5th, 2007 at 4:51 pmol' pete looks like he could use a good bowel movement.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:08 pmgo figure!
Limbaugh the 'improper gander" for right wing propaganda to a 13 year old youngster. Isn't this how the" wunderkinder " childrens' brainwashing of the Nazi era was born? Bogeyman is Limbaugh's middle name. Mothers, protect your children from this man.
July 5th, 2007 at 5:13 pmMichael,
Sorry but the Dems did not HAVE to fund the war. They chose to despite the desires of those who elected them. They are all crooks and liars.
Government is the enemy.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:22 pmEmpty words worked for Bush, Liberman, Hillary, so why not Domenici. Americans are just too dumb.
July 5th, 2007 at 6:52 pmSen. Domenici now realizes what a majority of Americans realize and a majority of democrats know that we can't win the war in Iraq anymore. Our best bet is to force the Iraqi government to make tough political and diplomatic compromises which they have so far refused to do. The current surge strategy has failed as many democrats expected it would. Bush must set a deadline to bring all combat troops home. It is time for our troops to stand down. Rhetoric itself is not enough, we need action from these republican senators. They must now vote with democrats to show that they are serious about changing this failed policy.
July 5th, 2007 at 7:17 pm"Sen. Domenici now realizes what a majority of Americans realize and a majority of democrats know that we can’t win the war in Iraq anymore."
I disagree. The people in Congress aren't stupid. They've realized all along what's going on. They're complicit in the illegal programs and activities of the traitors controlling the executive branch of our government.
What you see with domenici is someone who's up for re-election next fall pulling his support for bush's policies back to create an image of someone who isn't part of the destruction being worked upon our military.
July 5th, 2007 at 7:57 pmdomenici is ready to pull a LIEberman. Talk about redeployment and troop draw-down until reelected; then go whole hog in support of more troops and more action. Into Iran, and possibly Syria. The US Attorney General scandal has to be attached firmly to domenici. The voting method in NM must be checked and rechecked for its validity. We can't let the rethugs keep anywhere the Congressional share that they currently have. This all assumes that there will actually be an election in 2008.
July 5th, 2007 at 9:24 pmToo little, too late to save him from the neocon bullshit with Iglesias. Adios, Pete. Wish you could have seen it sooner.
July 5th, 2007 at 10:17 pm"It’s my understanding this man is a piece of petrified wood, dressed as a moron."
Comment by ForTruth — July 5, 2007 @ 4:22 pm
Thank you, now I know what Domenici reminds me of in this picture: the talking apple trees from The Wizard of Oz!
July 5th, 2007 at 11:19 pmThank you, now I know what Domenici reminds me of in this picture: the talking apple trees from The Wizard of Oz!
Comment by Jane E. Schneider
You're absolutely right, Jane! The resemblance is almost uncanny.
July 5th, 2007 at 11:30 pmDidn't I read somewhere that the oil deal is just about finalized? Might be why all the talk from the repugs, I'll believe them when I see our troops home. I don't believe there will be any change, it's just another diversion.
July 5th, 2007 at 11:48 pmA few lyrics express this:
"See how they run like pigs from a gun."
Or better still:
"Come senators, congressmen
July 6th, 2007 at 12:20 amPlease heed the call
Don't stand in the doorway
Don't block up the hall
For he that gets hurt
Will be he who has stalled
There's a battle outside
And it is ragin'.
It'll soon shake your windows
And rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin'."
Domenici is trying to keep the Dems from seeing he goes to "the pen" for trying to influence his district's US Attorney, which foolhardy, and criminal, act first attracted his senate colleagues to the now raging scandal.
July 6th, 2007 at 2:54 amPublicus,
Speaking of lyrics, Steppenwolf's "Monster" comes to mind:
"Once the religious, the hunted and weary
Chasing the promise of freedom and hope
Came to this country to build a new vision
Far from the reaches of kingdom and pope
Like good Christians, some would burn the witches
Later some got slaves to gather riches…
The spirit was freedom and justice
And it's keepers seem generous and kind
It's leaders were supposed to serve the country
But now they won't pay it no mind
'Cause the people grew fat and got lazy
And now their vote is a meaningless joke
They babble about law and order
But it's all just an echo of what they've been told
Yeah, there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watchin'…
We don't know how to mind our own business
'Cause the whole worlds got to be just like us
Now we are fighting a war over there
No matter who's the winner
We can't pay the cost
'Cause there's a monster on the loose
It's got our heads into a noose
And it just sits there watching..."
It still applies, 37 years later.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:53 amAccording to a recent poll taken by the American Research Group, “54% of American adults want the US House of Representatives to begin impeachment proceedings against Vice President Dick Cheney, including 76% of Democrats, 17% of Republicans, and 51% of Independents.
July 7th, 2007 at 4:00 am