Lynn C. Woolsey: “many of us voted against this war from the very beginning. In fact, 60 percent of the Democrats voted ``no'' to the war…”

“many of us voted against this war from the very beginning. In fact, 60 percent of the Democrats voted ``no'' to the war in Iraq. Since then, we have hosted informal hearings, we have founded the Out of Iraq Caucus, we forced a debate and vote on the House floor, Mr. Murtha offered his intelligent proposal to redeploy our troops, and last night I gave my 151st 5-minute speech on Iraq. Mr. Speaker, it has been almost 39 months since our troops were sent to Iraq, and today, more than 37 months after the President declared ``Mission Accomplished,'' our troops are still there. Just this week, the President of the United States said this about Iraq, and I quote: ``My message to the enemy is don't count on us leaving before we succeed. Don't bet on American politics forcing my hand, because it is not going to happen.'' Except, Mr. Speaker, it is completely unclear what constitutes success or when the mission will be accomplished under these circumstances. Saying we will stand down when the Iraqis stand up? Well, that is just talking points that give the American people no clear guide as to when they can expect this war to end. By leaving this question vague, by defining success entirely on his own terms, the President is allowing himself an open-ended commitment and a blank check in Iraq.…”