Domenici out of touch on Iraq strategy

Washington Post:

White House efforts to keep congressional Republicans united over the Iraq war suffered another major defection yesterday as Sen. Pete V. Domenici (N.M.) broke with President Bush and called for an immediate change in U.S. strategy that could end combat operations by spring.

The six-term lawmaker, party loyalist and former staunch war supporter represents one of the most significant GOP losses to date. Speaking to reporters at a news conference in Albuquerque, Domenici said he began to question his stance on Iraq late last month, after several conversations with the family members of dead soldiers from his home state, and as it became clear that Iraqi leaders are making little progress toward national reconciliation.

"We cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely while the Iraqi government is not making measurable progress," Domenici said. "I do not support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops. But I do support a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path to coming home."

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This is pretty strange. You would think he would consult with someone who knows something about military strategy before suggesting that a new one is needed. If he had, he might find that the new strategy that has recently been implemented is working pretty well at defeat al Qaeda in Iraq and moving the Sunni tribes over to our side. Why would he want to throw all that away for a strategy that will be a guaranteed sure loser? It must be a political strategy to lose, since it is sure not a winning strategy politically or militarily.