Mike Levin: “It will trigger exactly the opposite. If the Iraqis finally recognize that our commitment is not open-ended, we are not…”

“It will trigger exactly the opposite. If the Iraqis finally recognize that our commitment is not open-ended, we are not going to be their security blanket, if they finally recognize we cannot do for them what only they can do for themselves--share power, share resources, consider amendments to their Constitution, which were supposed to have been considered by now--that statement to them will trigger a reality in them that only they can save themselves; we cannot save them. We can give them an opportunity--and we have, at great cost of blood and treasure. As I said before, I know of no other country that would do what we did, what we have done for mankind, which is to give people an opportunity for freedom. I didn't vote for this war. I thought it would unleash forces which would be very negative. But now that we are there, I have always believed--my dear friend from Virginia knows this--that we should maximize the chances for success. The road we are on now is not a road to success. We are on a downward spiral now. Sectarian violence is increasing, not decreasing. So the consequences are consequences which we both want to avoid. The consequences which the Senator from Virginia outlined are consequences which are clearly negative, and every person in this Chamber and in this land would want to avoid those consequences.…”