General opposes Dem Iraq plan

AP:

The GOP-controlled Senate gave an election-year endorsement to President Bush's Iraq policy on Thursday, soundly rejecting Democratic demands to withdraw troops from the three-year-old war that has grown increasingly unpopular.

Vice President Dick Cheney criticized the Democrats' position, saying on CNN, "Absolutely the worst possible thing we could do at this point would be to validate and encourage the terrorists by doing exactly what they want us to do, which is to leave."

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Siding with all but one Republican were six Democrats - Sens. Mark Dayton of Minnesota, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and three running for re-election this fall: Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Bill Nelson of Florida and Ben Nelson of Nebraska.

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At a Pentagon briefing, the top U.S. commander in Iraq said he expected reductions in U.S. forces this year but did not agree with congressional efforts to put a timetable on the effort.

"I don't like it, I feel it would limit my flexibility" and give the enemy a schedule to focus on, said Gen. George Casey. (Emphasis added.)

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It is interesting how the AP buried the lead. The guy who President Bush has said will be making the decision on troop levels does not want that decision taken out of his hands. If you want to win his position makes a lot of sense. If you don't care whether we win, the Democrats are on your side.