No big support for Kerry's proposal among Democratic Senators.

[Mass]

I wonder if it will even go to a vote. Not very surprising, though.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-5884505,00.html

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other senior Democrats were not quick to embrace Sen. John Kerry's proposal to withdraw U.S. combat troops from Iraq by year's end. Rather, several Senate Democrats said their caucus was discussing Iraq proposals that could get wide Democratic support.

Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware, the top Democrat on the Foreign Relations Committee, said: ``I think just a naked date, without it being attached to what our plan as to how you would succeed in leaving something better, would not be the most appropriate way to go.''

[ProSense]

1. All I know is

the crowd cheered Kerry! The public is definitely divided, but, IMO, Democrats not supporting withdrawal are not representing the majority of Democratic voters.

[Mass]

2. I totally agree - I was only pointing at how the Senate is dysfunctional

and does not want to take any risk.

I imagine that the Conference Report they are discussing right now for Emergency appropriation will pass with no (or close to no) negative votes from the Democrats. By comparison, 67 people in the House voted NO (most Democrats and all the 2 in the MA delegation). It is just disappointing.

[wisteria]

3. Yeah, Biden said Kerry's troop withdraw was not a plan, characterizing

it as just leaving without a plan. Why don't Reid and others talk with Kerry? Reid's comments are the same comments he has been making for months. This is all bullsh*t. They are not willing to face the facts and are waiting until after the elections to do anything at all.I am particularly angry at Biden, saying we have to leave something better. Well we have, we have left them with a democracy for better or for worse. Kerry's amendment specifies working with the Iraqi's to strengthen their new country in many ways, this is not leaving them high and dry. I am so sick of this party. I am not going to give another cent to anyone but Kerry.

[karynnj]

4. Biden is a slime - if we understood Kerry's op-ed, he did too

He likely realizes that his best shot at the Presidency is if he is considered the foreign policy candidate. That he is the ranking member reflects that he has been there longer - but as he said Kerry is a classy guy. I'm sure he sees Kerry as his biggest obstacle.

[blm]

5. I have a thread about Clinton's betrayal of Kerry and Murtha in GD.

You should lay out your Biden vent there - you make some good points.

[wisteria]

6. I think I'll take you up on that. n/t