Jim Langevin: “every day now, it's becoming more and more apparent that the President's troop escalation plan is not stemming the civil…”

“every day now, it's becoming more and more apparent that the President's troop escalation plan is not stemming the civil war in Iraq. In fact, since the plan took effect earlier this year, violence in Iraq is up, and our soldiers are paying a heavy price on the battlefield. For months now, Democrats have stood united in our commitment to forge a new direction in Iraq, but our efforts have received very little support from congressional Republicans. It appears that is beginning to change. Earlier this week, one of the most respected Members of the Republican party on international affairs, Senator Richard Lugar, said that we must recalibrate our strategy in Iraq to fit our domestic political conditions and broader needs of national security. Then yesterday, Senator Voinovich said that he doesn't believe the Iraqis are going to get it until they know we are leaving. Both Senator Lugar and Senator Voinovich's comments are a blow to the White House and serve as yet another example of long-time supporters of the President's Iraq policy believing we are long overdue for a new direction. It's time for the congressional Republicans to face the reality and join us in dramatically changing course in Iraq.”