2007.07.14: July 14, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Iraq: Hartford Courant: Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008
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2007.07.14: July 14, 2007: Headlines: Figures: COS - Fiji: Politics: Congress: Iraq: Hartford Courant: Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008
Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008
The adjustment in Shays' position hurts Bush because "he's been one of the president's staunchest allies," said Gary Rose, professor of politics at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. "When you see Chris Shays start to crack on this issue, it means the bottom is really starting to fall out." Shays is the only Republican House member from New England, and the GOP House campaign chairman said the party hopes to pick up seats next year in Maine, New Hampshire and perhaps Connecticut. But Shays' adjustment on the war is a strong signal that any GOP candidate had better not be seen as a staunch Bush war ally. Congressman Chris Shays of Connecticut served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Fiji in the 1960's.
Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008
Shays Picks A Date On Iraq
2008 Deadline A Shift, And A Break With Bush
By DAVID LIGHTMAN | Washington Bureau Chief
July 14, 2007
WASHINGTON - Rep. Christopher Shays has called on Congress to approve withdrawing virtually all American troops from Iraq by December 2008, a blow to Bush administration efforts to fight the mounting support in Congress for a sharp change in strategy.
"I believe we need a timeline. I believe the president's wrong," the 4th District Republican said Friday.
Shays has urged the White House for months to set some sort of timelines, but President Bush has refused to do so. As a result, Shays said Friday that Congress needs to take control of the situation. "He's lost me on this."
Shays' latest plan marks the first time he has specified dates. He wants Congress to authorize a redeployment that would begin within 120 days. Shays sought a House vote this week on his plan, but Democrats, who pushed for an April withdrawal, blocked it.
Shays' break with Bush could have wider consequences, since it comes during a week when other GOP moderates also have expressed new reservations about Iraq strategy and called for a change in direction.
Most come from Northeastern states - notably Maine Sen. Olympia Snowe, who endorsed an April pullout - where their war positions make them vulnerable at the polls next year.
The adjustment in Shays' position hurts Bush because "he's been one of the president's staunchest allies," said Gary Rose, professor of politics at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. "When you see Chris Shays start to crack on this issue, it means the bottom is really starting to fall out."
Shays is the only Republican House member from New England, and the GOP House campaign chairman said the party hopes to pick up seats next year in Maine, New Hampshire and perhaps Connecticut. But Shays' adjustment on the war is a strong signal that any GOP candidate had better not be seen as a staunch Bush war ally.
"It was difficult for them in 2006," Christopher Preble, director of foreign policy studies at Washington's Cato Institute, said of Northeastern Republicans. "It's going to be even more difficult for them this time around."
Shays vigorously denied any political motive.
"I go where the truth takes me," he said.
Shays was an early and vocal supporter of the war, and has visited Iraq 17 times since the conflict began.
He first embraced the idea of timelines about a year ago, on the eve of a fierce re-election fight, but stayed away from offering specific dates. Shays earlier this year had said that while he would go along with timelines, it was up to the president and not Congress to set them.
Not anymore.
"I can't wait any longer for the administration to come and say, `These are the deadlines,"' the congressman said Friday. "I've waited longer than I'm even comfortable with."
He set the December 2008, date because it would allow the troops to leave before a new president took office a month later.
"My preference would be 2009," he said. "But I felt there was merit in getting the troops out before a new president takes office, so they can start fresh."
Similar to other withdrawal plans, he would have some troops remain to help Iraqis with logistics and medical support, as well as to protect U.S. interests.
Shays voted against the Democratic-authored plan Thursday to set an April 2008 deadline because he believed that would be too rushed. Four Republicans voted for the measure, but many warned that unless they see strong evidence current policy is working they, too, could support deadlines.
Shays explained Friday that he decided to adjust his position after recent conversations with administration officials and troops' families.
He found two reasons to push for the date. One is that he saw the deadline putting renewed pressure on the Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds to come together and form a workable government.
Shays was also moved by what he heard from families.
"What's become clear to me is a different mood among family members," Shays said. "They pull me aside and say, `My son or daughter is exhausted.' I didn't get this a while ago."
Contact David Lightman at dlightman@courant.com.
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Story Source: Hartford Courant
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