WASHINGTON (CNN) - CNN is told that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used a private White House briefing Thursday night to tell President Obama point-blank they have concerns about his plan to keep as many as 50,000 troops in Iraq.
In a window into how sensitive the issue is for Democrats, CNN has learned that when the president was telling lawmakers about his plan, Reid urged him to be sure to highlight the lower figure. Sources familiar with the meeting tell CNN that Reid told the president that he would have an easier time selling the plan if he focuses on a range from 35,000 to 50,000 troops.
From CNN Politics
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Are Reid and Pelosi more worried about backing out of Iraq in a sensible manner or are focusing on reelection?
I only believe what Rush Limbaugh tells me to believe,because I cant think for myself.
Well, since most of you libs must be "cowards", I'll go ahead and say it. Reid and Polosi are racist for not agreeing with BO.
Did I do that right, libs? Our should I have said redneck racist?
hyprocrite losers
CONGRESS TERM LIMITS . . . 12 YEARS, NO RETIREMENT!
THE GOPS'S DO NOT BELIEVE IN GOV. HAND OUT. I AGREE WITH THAT.BUT, WHEN IT COMES TO THE IRAQ, THEY WANT TO TAKE CARE OF IRAQ FOREVER. YOU TELLING ME IT IS OKAY TO TAKE CARE OF IRAQ FOREVER, BUT NOT TO TAKE CARE OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE? HOW STUPID CAN THAN BE. ?
I hope Obama just smacks the crap out of those two idiots! Neither one has sense enough to come in out of the rain:)
Reid and Pelosi should stop the arm twisting and let the President decide whats right! Its not like they've been doing anything special to brag about at all lately! So shut up and let Obama do his job!!!!!!
Rick, I agree with you. All three are nuts!!!
While the troop surge was helpful, let's not attribute the current success in Iraq solely to the surge. There were many factors that have lead to the current situation 1.) In the North the Sunni's tired of Al Quaeds'a strategy of violence and beheading and the mullahs withdrew their support for Al Quaeda and turned in and informed on Al Quaeda operatives and stopped the insurgency.2.) The Iraqi govt attacked Shia insurgents in Basra 3.) The US moved into communities instead of staying in big basis. The initial counterinsurgency plan Petraeus implemented early on in Iraq with Paul Bremer. If they had carried through that strategy to begin with, we would have been out of Iraq years ago. Things would not have spiraled out of control.
It was wrong to start a war w/ Iraq, but we are in one that Bush created. At least, Obama intention is to end it. W/ McCain, there's no end in sight. With the mission to end the war, he's is talking w/ the commanders on how best to achieve it, and I think he's taking their suggestion. Nancy and Reid are in Congress, they have no understanding of what's on the ground, and what is confronted by the troops.
@Morgan
It's one thing to collectively provide for infrastructure and a common defense. It is quite another to collect and redistribute private wealth among citizens.
sure, southerncousin:
Because giving a withdrawl timetable is exactly what McCain was talking about when he said we could be in Iraq for 100 years.
You folks have got this all wrong. Pelosi and Reid met with Obama behind closed doors to discuss the issue with him, and I think that is great. People are going to disagree, and rather than point out their differences, we should commend them on how they are handling it – talking.
The White House and Congress are actually working together, and talking respectfully about their points of view.
Well done!
Rick Beagle
Pelosi and Reid are natural "heavies", and the more they oppose Obama the stronger they make him. Its basically Obama, who was elected by a majority of the voters, against the entrenched DC political machine. He's got to be loving it! The only question is, have Pelosi and Reid embraced these roles knowingly or unwittingly?
What IS their concern anyway??
Is it that they think they have a better plan?
Is it they wern't consulted about the plan to get out of Iraq first, so they could "liberalize" it first?
Guess what! He didn't consult with them, so now they are concerned about something that's NOT in their grasp!!! TOO BAD!
Bring them all home, alive and well, now.
As a supporter of change and moving ahead it is important for MS. PELOSI and MR REID to remember that there is a reason that OBAMA was elected. He has been in office for 5 weeks and many many naysayers want him to fail. He will not fail. Politics must sit back and let us focus on getting the country back on track........'easier time selling the plan......." that is your job Mr. Reid – Lets be honest 35,000 or 50,000 is not the issue POLITICS is.......Let the President do his job and support him........
Rick February 27th, 2009 6:07 pm ET
Obama, Reid and Pelosi…….It's downright scary that these three lunatics have any power whatsoever.
________________________________________________
You know what would have been even scarier? McCain/Palin.
Hopefully thse two will elope and run off to some isolated island where TV and Radio can not operate. It is a shame that such a new leader is stuck with GREEDY old ideas and means. Can not wait until 2010 when we have a chance to get rid of them.
Well they didn't get elected so why don't they shut their mouths and let the president make his decision. If these two fools are going to let a promise get in the way of what is safest and most responsible then they have brains the size of a pinhead.
@ Morgan
Great post, I agree. Most people screaming "Socialist" have no idea what it really means.
Why do I always hear the Three Stooges music in my head every time I see Obama, Reid and Pelosi together.
Alfalfa, Darla, and Buckwheat... making military decisions.... no wonder Iran is continuing to pursue nukes and North Korea testing missiles!
As I said before Pelosi and Reid needs to be replaced immediately.
Although it is good for Reid, Pelosi, and everyone in between to express their opinoins and spark up debate, I do think Obama got this one right.
He always said he would be as careful getting out as we were getting in and listen to the generals on the ground. Think about it. If the President did not listen to the generals and went ahead with whatever he believed would work, wouldn't that be the same thing Bush did when he refused to listen to the numerous advisers who told Bush not just that he would need 300,000 troops, but also not to forge in this war?