WP:Democrats Seek to Revise 2002 War Authorization

Senate Democratic leaders intend to unveil a plan next week to repeal the 2002 resolution authorizing the war in Iraq in favor of narrower authority that restricts the military's role and begins withdrawals of combat troops.

House Democrats have pulled back from efforts to link additional funding for the war to strict troop-readiness standards after the proposal came under withering fire from Republicans and from their party's own moderates. That strategy was championed by Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) and endorsed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.).

"If you strictly limit a commander's ability to rotate troops in and out of Iraq, that kind of inflexibility could put some missions and some troops at risk," said Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Tex.), who personally lodged his concerns with Murtha.

(snip)
"I've had enough of 'nonbinding,' " said Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), who is helping to draft the new Democratic proposal. The 2002 war resolution, he said, is an obvious target.

"The authorization that we gave the president back in 2002 is completely, completely outdated, inappropriate to what we're engaged in today," he said.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201743.html

This is where triangulation lands us, every time.

Even if everyone in our majority voted in unison . . . I still don't see where they can do ANYTHING meaningful effectively without trying to form coalitions with willing republicans - outside of efforts like this one certain to be obstructed.

Triangulation seems like a throw-away term, used disparagingly against our hard-working legislators whenever there are political obstacles which prevent unilateral, partisan action.

n/t.

it's confrontational by design

k&r

All these Senate resolutions sink into the swamp. The only thing that will have any effect (and which Bush fears) is Murtha's actions on appropriations.