Russ Feingold: “today, I am submitting a resolution that addresses a gaping hole in the administration's rhetoric and strategy with…”

“today, I am submitting a resolution that addresses a gaping hole in the administration's rhetoric and strategy with respect to Iraq. My resolution calls on the President to define the mission of our military in Iraq, and to issue a plan and timeframe for accomplishing that mission. It has been over 2 years since the President launched the war in Iraq, but we still don't have a defined mission or timeframe that would allow us to hold ourselves accountable for giving the military the tools they need to succeed in achieving those goals. My resolution also calls for a plan for the subsequent withdrawal of U.S. troops, so that we can provide some clarity with regard to our intentions and restore confidence at home and abroad that there is an end date in mind. This resolution does not establish a timeframe for troop withdrawal-- that is for our military commanders to determine. Any such timeframe has to be flexible--there are variables that will affect how quickly various missions can be accomplished. But it's hard to conceive of an effective strategic plan that isn't linked to some timetables. The rationale for our military action in Iraq has changed over time. The projections regarding the resources that would be required were wrong. And now we seem to be in the midst of some vague policy of muddling through.…”