 July 15, 2007
Posted: 11:53 AM ET
(CNN)–Two leading Republican senators addressed their proposal on Sunday, to start a change in course of the war in Iraq. On ABC's "This Week," Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., and Sen. John Warner, R.-Va., discussed an amendment to the Defense Authorization Bill that they are sponsoring. It would mandate the administration immediately initiate planning for post-September contingencies in Iraq, including a drawdown or redeployment of forces. "I'm hopeful that, in fact, most Democrats will support our amendment, just as a matter of common sense," said Lugar. This week, Reid spokesman Jim Manley said Democrats prefer a binding approach — a timeline to end the U.S. combat mission in Iraq. "I think that Senator Reid's thoughts are in error, and to this extent, that we really don't have the power, in Congress, right now, to bind the president to specific dates or specific policies, except in the extreme case that, in an appropriation bill, we would cut off the money for our troops in Iraq," said Lugar. Lugar's co-sponsor on the legislation, Senator Warner, said he expected some change in strategy from the president. "Well of course, some modificaton to the strategy. But it's going to be taken in context of what his commanding officers recommend of him," Warner said. "He's the president. General Petraeus is not going to decide it," he said of General David Petraeus, the overall commander of U.S. military forces in Iraq. "Petraeus reports, the president decides. He is the commander in chief." – CNN Political Desk Editor Jamie Crawford Filed under: Harry Reid • Iraq • President Bush • Senate
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