A casual linguistic observation, it appears Florida Senator Mel Martinez is NOT sticking to the Republican talking points by equating withdrawal with defeat:
"It's sobering and there are lessons to be learned from this," Martinez said. "However, I do believe the world is better off without Saddam Hussein in power. I also believe that it would be a cataclysmic mistake for the United States to accept defeat and to rapidly withdraw, leaving a failed state in Iraq."
Full Article, SWF Herald Tribune. I just found it profoundly interesting that he separated "the United States to accept defeat" AND! (Using AND to separate, indicating, to me, that they were two entirely different things - "to rapidly withdraw." If he wanted to say that they were the same, he should have stated as follows: "BY" rapidly withdrawing. Was this a freudian slip? Does he not believe that accepting defeat is the same as rapidly withdrawing? That is how it appears to me....
My fellow Floridians, it would appear we have an opportunity here. Contact Senator Martinez and let him know that he is correct, rapidly withdrawing is not the same as accepting defeat, and we want to "Support our troops, bring them home!" Contact info for Sen. Martinez:
Senator Mel Martinez (R - FL)
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Website