Domenici

Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) is no longer part of the coalition of the willing.

The Senator's official webpage quotes from his Fourth of July news conference:

"I have carefully studied the Iraq situation, and believe we cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely while the Iraqi government is not making measurable progress to move its country forward,” Domenici said. “I do not support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops. But I do support a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path to coming home.”

The Senator added, "I am unwilling to continue our current strategy."

Like some other Republicans, Domenici is running for the cover of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. Domenici supports legislation to implement ISG recommendations cosponsored by Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN).

The bill is intended to create conditions that could allow for a drawdown of American combat forces in Iraq by March 2008. Under S.1545, the U.S. military could maintain a long-term but more limited presence in Iraq—focused on protecting American personnel and interests, training and advising Iraqi forces, and carrying out counterterrorism and special operations missions.

Other cosponsors include Republican Senators Bob Bennett (UT), Susan Collins (ME), Judd Gregg (NH), and John Sununu (NH).

Not all of these cosponsors have called explicitly for troop withdrawal from, but I'm fairly certain that more of them will. Why?

Well, it is simple, really. Many of them are up for reelection in 2008: including Alexander, Collins, Domenici, and Sununu.

Oh, and do not forget Senator Mitch McConnell (KY).


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