This week the House and the Senate will go into conference committee to reconcile the differences in their versions of the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations Bill. Both versions have provisions for a timetable for withdrawal of US forces from Iraq. HRH George W Bush has threatened to veto any bill with a timetable for withdrawal.
So where does this leave us? It's an argument we have already won and from which we should not back down. Follow me and I'll explain...
Cross Posted from Florida Kossacks
Our esteemed Vice President, he of the 18% approval rating(CBS News/New York Times Poll. March 7-11, 2007) appeared Sunday on CBS' Face the Nation:
the vice president also said he expects the Democratic-led Congress will eventually relent in its demand that future funding for the Iraq war be tied with a timetable for withdrawal.
In response to a suggestion that a majority of Americans want a timetable for American troop withdrawals from Iraq, Cheney said:
Well, there is also a majority that I think would prefer to have us win. And there is a fundamental debate going on here in terms of whether or not our objective in Iraq is to quote 'withdrawal' or whether our objective in Iraq is to complete the mission. And I think a majority of Americans would prefer the latter.
Exactly how accurate is our clairvoyant "last throes" Vice President in his perception of what a majority of Americans would prefer? Here's what the latest CBS News Poll (April 9-12, 2007) has to say:
In response to this question,
Regardless of whether you think taking military action in Iraq was the right thing to do, would you say that the U.S. is very likely to succeed in Iraq, somewhat likely to succeed, not very likely to succeed, or not at all likely to succeed in Iraq?
only 12% thought the US is very likely to succeed in Iraq.
61% responded that Congress should allow funding only for a limited period of time. 67% believe that after withdrawal of US forces from Iraq the threat of terrorism against the United States would decrease, or stay about the same.
While Cheney might be right that the majority of Americans would prefer success in Iraq, 86% believe that is not very likely. Only 25% believe that the escalation (nee surge) is making the situation in Iraq better. 83% think the Bush Administration should take into account the views of Congress when deciding what to do about Iraq.
Besides the fact that getting out of Iraq in a responsible manner is the right thing to do, once again the people are ahead of the politicians. They know that this situation in Iraq is beyond our ability to resolve militarily and they want our troops out.
When you are right and you've got the public on your side, every Democratic Member of Congress and Senator should be humming the Tom Petty song I Won't Back Down.