Arlen Specter: “The Senate has now commenced the debate on an issue of great importance, really of historic importance, which challenges…”

“The Senate has now commenced the debate on an issue of great importance, really of historic importance, which challenges us on the issue of what course of action we should take in Iraq, in a very complex factual situation, and challenges us on what our authority is under the Constitution, contrasted with the President's authority as Commander in Chief. On the factual issue, when we look at the resolution, which calls for the phased redeployment of the U.S. forces from Iraq not later than 120 days after enactment of this joint resolution, with the goal of deploying by March 31, 2008, all U.S. combat forces, except for three purposes: one, to protect the U.S. and coalition personnel and infrastructure; second, training and equipping Iraqi forces; third, conducting targeted counterterrorism operations. We are setting a deadline and our opponents simply have to wait us out. They know if they can hold on until March 31, 2008, a little more than a year from now, we will be leaving, except for those stated limited purposes. That is not a very desirable course of conduct. It is equally undesirable, however, to view the current situation in Iraq, which looks like an endless tunnel--a tunnel without a light at the end.”