by Matthew Hay Brown
With congressional Democrats unable to muster the veto-proof margins needed to change the direction of U.S. policy in Iraq, and Republicans increasingly concerned about the impact of the war on next year’s elections, a group of House members from both parties have begun searching together for a middle way.
At a dinner in Washington this week, the leaders of a dozen war-related caucuses or study groups agreed to combine their memberships into a single bloc that will work to reassert congressional authority and wind down U.S. involvement in the conflict, Rep. Wayne T. Gilchrest said today.
The Maryland Republican, who organized the dinner Tuesday with Democratic Rep. Steve Israel of New York, said the new group numbers as many as 70 mostly moderate Republicans and Democrats – a potentially crucial swing vote between conservatives and liberals in the House.
"Not one of us wants to leave Iraq tomorrow," Gilchrest said. "And none of us wants to stay indefinitely. The things we can agree on – no permanent bases, time for the troops to rest back home, the need for political reconciliation – those are things anyone can agree on."
The effort follows a letter written by two of the participants, Republican Rep. Michael N. Castle of Delaware and Democratic Rep. John Tanner of Tennessee, calling on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader John A. Boehner to "put an end to the political in-fighting over the war in Iraq and allow the House to unite behind a bipartisan strategy to stabilize the country and bring our troops home."
House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said this week that he would be willing to meet with Castle and Tanner to discuss a possible way forward.
(Rep. Wayne Gilchrest official portrait from his congressional web site.)
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Comments
It is EXACTLY this type of crap that reflects the reason why Democrats are so angry at Congress.
This is nothing more than a fig leaf for Republicans so that they can claim to be for the troops without actually having to do anything about it. When your opponent is drowning, throw 'em an anchor. This is the Republican's war, and now they want to make it bipartisan. What a pitiful bunch of losers.
Please excuse me while I go puke.
Posted by: weinerdog43 | September 20, 2007 1:02 PM
'THANK YOU REPUBLICANS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE NEXT TOUR, THE NEXT TOUR, THE NEXT TOUR, THE NEXT TOUR AND THE NEXT TOUR.
46 Republicans looked Americas Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines in the eye and said DICK CHENEYS FAVORITE RAP SPEECH ON THE FLOOR GO F YOURSELF.
Your father, your son, your mom, your sister, your brother, your neighbor, your friend didn't even have a chance.
FILLIBUSTER MEANS, I DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
So thank you Republican Senators, for your PLAN.
HITLER HAS A MASTER PLAN, GEORGE BUSH HAS A MASTER PLAN, DICK CHENEY HAS A MASTER PLAN, what is the rest of the remaining republicans that have not come out of the closet. What is your plan?
BUT HEY, OJ GOT BAIL, MAYBE THE GOP CAN GET THAT BLACK VOTE HE WOULD JUST TO STOP USING HIM AS THE WORLDS GREATEST ONE YEAR DISTRACTION.
30,000 to join, 20,000 to join the army today as long as you get on the first plane out.
Hmmmm a ground soldier on his 3rd tour didn't get a 30,000 CARROT.
THANK YOU REPUBLICANS THANK YOU SO MUCH, WE ALL HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR VACATION WITH YOUR F A M I L I E S!
Posted by: Roger Morris | September 20, 2007 1:29 PM
Oh so rich. A bunch of Democrats and Republicans look to work together for the better of the country and we have some of the worst mankind has to offer -- deranged and demented folks like weinerlessbrain and ROGER MORRIS -- get all bent out of shape and whine and cry.
Really, since you folks are so MISERABLE and so HATEFUL, what is the point for your continued existence??
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 2:24 PM
Really, since you folks are so MISERABLE and so HATEFUL, what is the point for your continued existence??
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 2:24 PM
Pvt. Pyle Dyslin,
I thought you were going to sick your personal "secret police force" on us? what happened to that, toughguy?
Posted by: John E | September 20, 2007 2:38 PM
Its unfortunate that we have gotten to the point where everyone just wants to get out of this mess, and that's what pathetically finally brings our leaders together in bi-partisanship. Let's at least see some real action now, fellas. Time to join the party with the 70% of Americans who have neen fed up for awhile.
And John D, you talk about others being MISERABLE and HATEFUL? Wow, look in mirror. You seem like a pretty sad guy.
Posted by: kb | September 20, 2007 3:33 PM
KB, I am a very happy person. The Loons on the Left disgust me to hell, but other than you clowns, I am extraordinarily a happy person.
John E., never said I was going to sick folks I know who are in the Secret Service and CIA (two cousins work for the CIA). I just said you and some of your demented ilk were being watched. That is still the case, loser without a job!
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 5:22 PM
KB, I am a very happy person. The Loons on the Left disgust me to hell, but other than you clowns, I am extraordinarily a happy person.
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 5:22 PM
You do seem very happy. Not
Posted by: Free dumb Fry | September 20, 2007 7:54 PM
Really, since you folks are so MISERABLE and so HATEFUL, what is the point for your continued existence??
Posted by: John D | September 20, 2007 2:24 PM
To point out what a tard you are!
Posted by: John D = Windbag | September 20, 2007 10:18 PM