Posted on 08/26/2006 8:16:19 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
WASHINGTON — Since U.S. forces attacked in 2003, Rep. Christopher Shays, a moderate Republican from Connecticut's liberal 4th District, has been a stalwart defender of the Iraq war.
"I've been carrying the bucket when it comes to the war," Shays said in September.
But facing an antiwar Democratic opponent in a tough midterm election race, Shays is starting to express reservations.
In a telephone interview Friday after he returned from his 14th trip to Iraq, Shays said that he believed the U.S. should consider setting a timetable for the withdrawal of its troops, and that he planned to hold congressional hearings on the question next month.
Iraq's political leaders need a deadline to "do things in a timely basis." Otherwise, he said, "they will take years. And there aren't years available."
Shays becomes the third Republican lawmaker from a Democratic or swing state to distance himself from the Bush administration's war policy. With public support for the war sagging and many Democratic candidates vocally opposing it, Republicans in tight races in blue states are under particular pressure.
Democrats have felt the heat as well. Earlier this month Sen. Joe Lieberman, a supporter of the war, was defeated in Connecticut's Democratic primary by political novice and antiwar candidate Ned Lamont.
Lieberman is now running as an independent, but Republicans throughout the country — eyeing opinion polls showing that more than 60% of the public disapproves of President Bush's handling of the war — took note.
"Republicans are trying to insulate themselves from Washington and the president's low approval ratings," said Amy Walter, congressional analyst for the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. "They are distancing themselves from the war and from the president."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Shays is a moderate?
Glad to see Chris is rock solid in his support of victory in Iraq.
And this suggests that his waffling is a matter of principle, not political expediency?
I have more respect for the people who were against the Iraq action in the first place than these flip-flopping prostitutes who change their positions for votes. A pox on them.
Typical politician: just twisting in the wind, whichever way it blows. Shays better take a look at the Survey USA poll reported a couple of threads down: 56% of Americans believe Iraq is part of the war on terror.
Political advice...."If you want to win run as a conservative Republican."
Shays, we can do without you in the congress. You just don't know how you could do without being in congress.
The reelection sickness afflicts all of them.
Waffles, anyone? How about some good ol' Vermont Maple syrup?
So let me get this straight. Shays had no reservations about Iraq, until the potential loss of his seat raised its head? Now THAT'S courage! < sarcasm off >
Reminds me of why liberals are like snails. They leave a trail of slime wherever they go. And they eat $hit for a living.
I always thought of Chris Shays as a RINO, but at least had grudging respect for his willingness to stay firm in his support of the Iraq War. With that, I don't see any reason why keeping his seat is better than not keeping it.
sarc/off
Yeah, well, we've all been re-thinking things lately. For example, I've been re-thinking whether Republicans have the spine to govern appropriately and deserve to keep the damn majority.
Of course Democrats would be an immediate disaster, but Republicans seem to be on course to be an incremental disaster. And, me, well I'd rather just deal with damage they cause all at once then have these spineless unprincled losers stumble their way around inflicting damage because of their fear of telling it like it really is to their constituents.
Angry? Sure I am.
The majority of people serving this nation aren't fit to govern on left or on right. And its a terrible time in history to come to that conclusion.
A timetable is silly.
The best time to get out is (1) immediately following the high intensity conflict, thereby demonstrating your purpose was change, or (2) in response to a newer more significant front elsewhere, e.g., Iran; or (3) After the dirty work of subjection and reconstruction is complete as measured by one's goals.
Since the president chose #3, and he is the president, it would only strengthen the adversary to pull out before the goals are met.
Excellent post!
What was that old song about tumble weeds on the Roy Rogers show? What was that song Fats Domino sang about the four winds?
Yes. A reasonable observer of politics can't help wonder if selection of politicians via random drawing would not be an improvement.
Would certainly save big bucks on election expenses.
At worst, it'd be a case of replacing the corrupt with the merely incompetent.
Personally, I'll take stupid over bad. With stupid, there's a good chance the person will accidently do the right thing.
No chance with bad.
"Waffles, anyone? How about some good ol' Vermont Maple syrup?"
Just don't let those nude teens serve them.
True.
Of course it begs the question; Is someone who knows its wrong to withdraw support for the war and does it anyway because of political calculations...stupid or bad? I tend to think both, which doesn't make the question of how to deal with them any easier.
But, in a desperate resolution I made to myself 10 minutes ago not to go to bed angry anymore because of idiots in D.C. I've decided I'm going to have to work to balance weak people that care more about their political hides then national security by finding news to counter them. With that in mind, a different spin found in WAPO on the same subject...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/26/AR2006082600811_pf.html
The good news here? There are more Democrats rejecting a timetable then Republicans demanding one.
Headline:
Democrats Split Over Timetable For Troops
In Close Races, Most Reject Rapid Pullout
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