Last week, I diaried Virginian Republican Rep. Jo Ann Davis'
statements critical of Donald Rumsfeld and that this was a sign of increasing disarray among House Republicans as they desperately run away from the Bush administration's failed Iraq policy.
Chris Shays has joined the exodus:
Reflecting these pressures, Republicans in swing districts are beginning to waver. In an interview from Israel yesterday, Rep. Christopher Shays (R-Conn.) said the political will of the United States is being stretched to the limit. He promised to offer a time frame for troop withdrawals when he returns next week from his 14th trip to Iraq.
More in extended.
"We have got to find a way to come to some kind of consensus, so we can do what's right for our country and what's right for the Iraqis," said Shays, an ardent supporter of the war who is in a political dogfight with his antiwar Democratic opponent. "We have to say 'This is the latest we will leave' and be able to live with that."
Shays plans to hold three hearings next month to explore whether Iraq is heading toward democracy or civil war, a state parts of the country are already in, he said. "I am more pessimistic, clearly," he said.
Later in the WaPo article, another example of a Republican running against the Bush administration on Iraq:
On Thursday, Rep. Michael G. Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) wrote a letter to constituents declaring that he was saying no to "President Bush's 'stay-the-course' strategy" in Iraq. That followed a Fitzpatrick statement earlier this month saying: "When it comes to the war in Iraq, President Bush has been bold, principled, resolute, but mistaken in crucial ways."
And Jo Ann Davis? Well, she's taken back her comments on Rumsfeld...sort of:
"I'm not out there officially calling for his resignation....I would not be unhappy if he were gone. But that is not my call. He is a presidential appointee."
Once again, paging Adam Nogourney.