NYTimes: White House Is Said to Debate ’08 Cut in Iraq Troops by 50%

[Sparkly]

White House Is Said to Debate ’08 Cut in Iraq Troops by 50%

By DAVID E. SANGER and DAVID S. CLOUD
Published: May 26, 2007

WASHINGTON, May 25 — The Bush administration is developing what are described as concepts for reducing American combat forces in Iraq by as much as half next year, according to senior administration officials in the midst of the internal debate.

It is the first indication that growing political pressure is forcing the White House to turn its attention to what happens after the current troop increase runs its course.

The concepts call for a reduction in forces that could lower troop levels by the midst of the 2008 presidential election to roughly 100,000, from about 146,000, the latest available figure, which the military reported on May 1. They would also greatly scale back the mission that President Bush set for the American military when he ordered it in January to win back control of Baghdad and Anbar Province.

The mission would instead focus on the training of Iraqi troops and fighting Al Qaeda in Mesopotamia, while removing Americans from many of the counterinsurgency efforts inside Baghdad.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/26/washington/26strategy.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

What do you think of that, DUers?

[global1]

1. Just Like Running A Retail Store Sale - First Raise The Price And....

then reduce it by 50% - so you are back to the regular price. But the people see sale and come and buy.

[Sparkly]

2. .....crickets..... Would it be different if a Democrat had said the same?

Just wondering what everybody's thinking... :shrug:

[TwilightGardener]

3. In other words, he would do what Baker-Hamilton and the Democrats

and the Warner Levin Resolution have been calling for. But in time to take credit for the Republicans for 2008--take it off the table as an issue. He could do it now, and save American lives and money, but the political timing is more important. Nice.

Edit to add: Democrats need to jump on this NOW, and make it clear to the public that ChimpCo is finally bowing to their pressure and taking their rec's. Very, very important that they get out ahead on this, because this is what they've been calling for--the Repugs have resisted this at every turn. Do NOT let them suddenly take credit!

[Sparkly]

4. Yup, the timing is all about the politics, not the "conditions on the ground."

Unless they've got crystal balls or Miss Cleo in the White House.