Democrats have it right

The Democrats have come up with a good compromise plan to undermine opposition for benchmarks. This allows Republicans to vote for the funding as it gives the initial funds unconditionally. It also can bring Democrats on board by having benchmarks, which if not met, could result in the cutting off of funding in July. The only trick to this is that the Democrats must hold firm in July. Without a bill that requires the troops to come home, which Bush has signed or had his veto overridden, there will remain the temptation to back down and agree to more concessions. Democrats must resist the urge to do so.

Unless all the benchmarks are met the funding should be cut off. It is a difficult call to make, and puts the Democrats in a difficult position politically if they are wrong, but they must do what is right. Our troops are emrboiled in a civil war. They are a target and a rallying point for terrorists. Unless progress is being made, and an end begins to come into sight, we must bring them home. Our presence is no longer helpful, and unless Bush proves that the fighting, and dying, our troops our doing in Iraq is actually benefitting someone, we need to bring them home. The empty rhetoric of "support our troops" has gone on for far too long, and needs to be replaced with actual support for our troops...in the form of getting them out of harm's way.

Madison