Posted on 08/24/2006 4:45:21 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Rep. Shays Calls for Iraq Withdrawal Time Frame
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Rep. Christopher Shays, who is locked in a tough re-election fight against an anti-war challenger, says the U.S. should consider setting a timeline for troop withdrawals from Iraq.
``Our troops cannot be there indefinitely,'' Shays, R-Conn., said Thursday from London during a telephone conference call with reporters after visiting Iraq for the 14th time since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. ``We need to have a sense of when our troops can withdraw.''
Shays, who has previously opposed timetables for drawing down troops, said he hopes to offer a specific time frame after he holds congressional hearings on Iraq next month.
``We should be able to tell the American people what kind of timeline we can have to begin to draw down our troops,'' he said. ``It may be a timeline the American people don't want to hear. It may not be something that brings them out quickly.''
Shays has come under fire for his support of the Iraq war from Democratic challenger Diane Farrell in a race widely seen as a showdown on the war.
Farrell, former Westport First Selectman, took sharp aim at her opponent.
``I don't think Chris needed to go to Iraq 14 times to know it's a mess,'' she said. ``To have a time line, there needs to be an exit plan. There's no exit strategy.''
Farrell, who opposes troop pullback timetables proposed by some in her party, has called for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's resignation in favor of a successor who can develop an Iraq exit plan that Congress supports.
``Congress ought to demand an exit plan,'' she said.
The race, one of the most closely watched in the nation, is a rematch of the close contest Farrell lost two years ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at wcbs880.com ...
Shays can go find a knothole and entertain himself. He's more useful that way than flapping his gums.
What happened to all the conservatives? They're apparently not in the Republican party any longer.
Did he put his hand on his hip AND lisp when he called for Rummie's head?
The recent buildup in US forces in Baghdad have apparently had a calming effect in the region. Putting a timetable on withdrawal is seriously poor strategic planning. The US should leave Iraq when the Gov't feels they have a peaceful country and can safely ask the US to withdraw and pack them a lunch for their trip home.
Shays was never a conservative, and he's a marginal Republican. His sole value is calling himself a Republican so we have a vote for speaker and get the committee chairs. Otherwise, he is useless, and in some cases, harmful.
I'd say he has become VERY harmful with these idiotic statements. He's disgusting.
Maybe Chris should demand a timetable for Iran to withdraw from Iraq?
Keep Hope Alive Tour.
McCain's sock puppet.
Who needs a terrorist when wen have people like Shays in our own party??
Is he losing? I didn't know that. Well, let him lose. I have no sympathy for him; besides always stabbing us in the back he is a whiner.
One of the worst Republicans in the House.
They would all eat crap if thats what it took to get elected.
Chris just took a large mouthful.
We in the real world dont have any inkling of the perks these guys enjoy.
A queerier looking Larry David?
Traitors should be arrested and tried and sentenced to death if guilty. What the hell ever happened to real men?
Doesn't Chris Shays room with Ben and Jerry?
I could be mistaken, but...
I don;t think that's it. It's more of the fact that, as bad as it sounds, this plays well in Connecticut.
Unfortunately up to 50 percent of America is harboring the same thoughts from anti war liberals to "its a hopeless mess" conservatives. Our country can never fight long wars before our MSM and leftwing undermind it. Ironicly the Red Chinese wrote a white paper in 1999 on the strengths and weaknesses of the US. They conclude that the US advantage in wealth and technology can be overcome if the war produces high casualties and drawn out to allow the institutional weaknesses (MSM) and political divisions (leftwing intellects and Dems) undermind the war effort. If we want to fight an Iraqi style war again, the leaders of our country must find a way to muzzle the media and the leftwing, otherwise we will lose because we only commit the army to war and not the country. Personally I am getting ready to enjoy my retirement, so I leave it to you younger freepers to figure how we can do that.
The RATS keep talking about an exit strategy and a replacement for Runsfeld.
Perhaps they can tell us who they would select as their Defense Secretary.
If we pull out Saddam, will have his country back within matter of moths
When are we leaving Bosnia or Germany?? What a bunch of hypocrites.
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
Backbone, Shays? Huh!
We still, however, have troops in Germany, Japan and South Korea. Iraq is a very strategic location in the Middle East. We may want a presence there until the Middle East ends its millenia of conflicts.
Ironically, these stunts are also putting a timetable on RINO Shays' time in Congress.
Shays has already been there too long.
This so called guy has a way too soft breathless voice for this woman. He even moves sllooooooooowwwwwwww.
Are you saying he walks with a lisp? ;)
Well he is from the same district that produced greats like Ned Lamont and Stewart McKinney. Don't expect much from a Southern Connecticut Republican.
Good! You have more time now and less excuses to give this country your all. There is no retirement from patriotism that I'm aware of.
Sorry, here is a CNN interiew with Shays I just heard:
"I believe that the administration needs to set timelines on troop withdrawal..." Verbatim quote, I heard it myself. Buh Bye Chris.
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