McClatchy: As campaigns near, GOP lawmakers restless on Iraq

[babylonsister]

As campaigns near, GOP lawmakers restless on Iraq
By James Rosen | McClatchy Newspapers

* Posted on Sunday, October 7, 2007


WASHINGTON — Republican lawmakers anxious about their 2008 election prospects are growing increasingly frustrated by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki's failure to unify his fractured country and reach the political benchmarks set by Congress.

Senior Republican lawmakers are pushing for "accountability hearings" to pressure the Iraqi government to make progress toward narrowing sectarian divides among Sunni and Shiite Muslims and Kurds, sharing oil revenues and achieving other U.S. goals.

"I think it gets to a point where we have spent enough time and enough lives and enough money in this one particular spot," said Rep. Bob Inglis of South Carolina, who was one of 17 Republican House members who voted against the U.S. military buildup in Iraq last February.

"Our military has succeeded," Inglis said in an interview. "The question is whether Iraqi politicians can succeed. If they fail, it is not a U.S. failure. Let them go baby-sit a civil war."

While several prominent Republican senators have broken with President Bush on Iraq — notably Sens. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and John Warner of Virginia, both of whom aren't seeking re-election — their counterparts in the House of Representatives largely have backed Bush despite ebbing public support for the war.

There are signs that the House Republican compliance is fading, especially as Republicans try to recapture control of Congress in next year's elections and lawmakers focus more on their own campaigns.

"In general, you're going to see more of a splitting with Bush," said John Geer, a Vanderbilt University political scientist who's written extensively on congressional elections.

more...

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/20281.html

[rusty charly]

1. Oh, really, Bobby?

"I think it gets to a point where we have spent enough time and enough lives and enough money in this one particular spot," said Rep. Bob Inglis.

You just getting to that point NOW?

[Supersedeas]

2. declare victory now and save the taxpayers a dime or two--or keep paying Defense K's