Down the ballot

Posted: Friday, March 28, 2008 9:21 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: Congress, 2008

So Iraq will trump the economy in congressional races? "More than three dozen Democratic congressional candidates banded together yesterday to promise that, if elected, they will push for legislation calling for an immediate drawdown of troops in Iraq that would leave only a security force in place to guard the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad," the Washington Post writes.

More: "Rejecting their party leaders' assertions that economic troubles have become the top issue on voters' minds, leaders of the coalition of 38 House and four Senate candidates pledged to make immediate withdrawal from Iraq the centerpiece of their campaigns. ‘The people inside the Beltway don't seem to get how big an issue this is,’ said Darcy Burner, a repeat candidate who narrowly lost to Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Wash.) in 2006.”

The group's 36-page plan does not set a specific deadline for when all combat troops must be out of Iraq. "Begin it now, do it as safely as you can and get everyone out," Burner said. "

Here's First Read's writeup.

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Comments

What war?

Junus Conston (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 9:28 AM)

Don't they understand that Iraq is akin to our financial woes? They must address the economy. The electorate has multiple concerns. They had better offer solutions to all that worries Americans. Otherwise they'll simply come off as opportunistic politicians, lining up to take advantage of the process, enboldened by a political climate rife with failure, and it's constituents misery.

Bush has given them a plethora of issues with which to take the Republicans down. Then, when they get elected, they need to deliver.

Pullinfg for Obama '08

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 9:52 AM)

Iraq..the Blunder, is all about the economy. Bush invaded in large part because of oil. He had no plan for average Americans. Average isn't "W"'s kind of people. Bring this blunder to an end. The sooner the better. Vote Obama.

bill, okla (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 10:06 AM)

This race in the United States is NOTHING to what the Blessed people of Iqaq have had to endue to even vote.
We bitch about the character faults and issues of our candidates...
If freedom is precious to those that bearly understand it but have found and fought it so vital to embrace,we should feel lucky if not blessed to be Americans..
Put away the seperations and move forward. See US and help to give to others.. Be an example to the rest of the world..that Liberty and a House Divided will not Stand. Keep the lessons of Liberty close to our hearts.. That the light that shines goes beyound our shores..that we love those that dispitefully hate us.... Don't just feel sorry for those that have given their lives but to always remember them; have one spirit to honor them....

BJ, CA (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 10:09 AM)

Iraq and the economy are biggies...but some of us think they are linked. Besides that, I think Iraq remains a real hard-line issue with people. Many of us were against the war at the beginning and have been banging our head against our collective walls ever since.

While the economy is critical, there is not mistaking the sentiment that many of us want leadership that makes getting out of Iraq a clear priority even if most of us know it can't happen overnight.

It remains a seminal issue for many of us.

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 10:26 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
The Democrats need to understand that the American voter isn't smart enough to appreciate what 4,000 American lives lost really means, especially when the parents of some of these victims go on t.v. and argue that we ought to kill 4,000 more in order to validate their kid's death. Explain to the American sheep what it is costing them in terms of their personal wealth every day. When they can see the money come out of their pockets thru inflation and taxes they'll want to leave.

twocanpete (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 10:27 AM)

The Democrats,of course,realize already what their Saigon rooftop routine bought them in 1975. Ronald Reagan. Five short years later. To be sure,Democrats will get the initial praise for getting the US out by their constituancies. Then when [as it will probably happen,history being what it is],Iran pulls a fast one on another Democrat president weakened by high energy prices and terrorism,another GOP president will get the national nod,and you people will get to do this all over again. Back To The Future.

Lee Holmes (Sent Friday, March 28, 2008 11:58 AM)

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