Coleman Calls For Withdrawal Of Half The Troops — In Three Years
Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) — who's becoming increasingly vulnerable to a challenge from comedian Al Franken or trial lawyer Mike Ciresi, has figured out what to do about his political problem: Call for withdrawal from Iraq.
Withdrawal, that is, of only half the troops — in three years. That's what Coleman is now calling for, according to CQ Politics, though it's unclear whether he's willing to back legislation compelling that to happen.
Faced with restive constituents, vulnerable incumbents are likely to be offering more and more solutions like this. But if this is the sort of thing that GOPers hope will help stave off more losses in 2008, the party could in for real trouble, if the polls indicating majority support for full and relatively prompt withdrawal are any indication.
With Democrats being increasingly disciplined about Iraq because of the presidential candidate's need to run after each other and take bolder stances to leave little space between each other, Republicans like Coleman will have to start realizing they will HAVE to go to the other side.
September 14, 2007 6:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Stormin Norman is bold
He wouldn't happen to be up for re-election now would he?
Sellin out America for votes
The shame
September 14, 2007 6:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a Minnesota democrat, I am hoping that Reid at least uses the dems slim majority to bring some good Iraq war bills to a vote in the senate. Even if they can't succeed in ending this war while Bush is in office, at least they can force votes that make Norman and others like him more defeatable. I am not knowledgable enough to suggest any specifics, but think the dems need to do a better job of getting people on record on this war and communicating that by themselves they do not have the votes to start bringing the war to and end.
September 15, 2007 11:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
Eric & Benjy,
Thanks for covering this. I've been tracking everything Norm has been doing on the Norm Coleman Weasel Meter. Most likely, Norm is just searching for empty words to placate disgruntled Minnesotans. He's been trying to sound more moderate than he is. Based on his history, he'll continue to emit empty phrases that sound more moderate.
Thanks again...
The Big E
September 17, 2007 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink