U.S. must win war despite cost, say lawmakers of both parties

[seriousstan]

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress, including many who have traveled to Iraq to see the war for themselves, are wary about this weekend’s election there and pondering questions such as whether Iraqi soldiers can be trained quickly enough to bring U.S. troops home soon.

Still, those lawmakers, Democrats as well as Republicans, are resolved to finish the war despite mounting costs and casualties.

"Whether you were for this or against this, we have to try to see this to a successful conclusion," said Sen. Evan Bayh, DInd., a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

They see Sunday’s election to choose a national Iraqi assembly as the crucial next step toward Iraqi sovereignty and the eventual withdrawal of the 150,000 U.S. forces there. They also are jittery as election plans go forward, perhaps a reflection of general unease about the war among the American public.

http://www.dispatch.com/national-story.php?story=dispatch/2005/01/25/20050125-A9-01.html