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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President Obama has the final say period.
@ Morgan,
Thank God some one knows what they're talking about when it comes to a definition of Socialism. Most American's are scared to death of Socialism, like the Boogey-man. I can't believe the ignorance I see on the blogs.
Reid is is the biggest snake of them all.
Nacy Pelosi is downright vulgar.
President Obama, please keep these people on a tight leash, and feel free to yank it often.
@ Rick whatever your thinking I'm sure your overreaching like the rest of the GOP.I don't know why yo hatin on the Pres, He's doing just what he said he would do.
Well said, Morgan!!
Ronnie Patrick, are you waiting for Obama to walk on water. I think your leg is tingling too.
The puppet masters are telling the puppet that he's been a very bad, disobedient little boy.
President Obama is doing exactly as he said he would do, and if anyone thinks differently, they simply didn't listen to him before the election.
i.e. – a responsible pull out as the situation warrants and with all the intelligence information at hand!
Please learn to get past the buzz words and understand a nominee's and official's true positions prior to showing your silliness.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion... President Obama will make the final choices himself! Count on that....
come on, Rick... is that you... or some rich fat cat republican running for office? *LOL* Again.... I mean seriously... you guys left us in a mess... now you think you can judge anyone.... pffft... really?
It's so refreshing to see that dimocrats never change. They will ALWAYS start turning on each other and wind up shooting themselves in the foot.
This is what happens when you try to be all things to all people and owe so much of your success to kook fringe groups.
I'm feeling better about 2012 every day.
Just Dallas... come on, George, you and Laura need to stay in retirement... you have absolutely nothing to say that is the least bit relative! *LOL* Seriously....
I'm telling you, we have some of the most ignorant opinions from the repubs here.... come on.... get over it! You lost... we don't care what you think! Take off your white sheets and cone hats... pack um away! And for the rich fat cat 5% of this country.... your day is over! Didn't you get rich enough off Bush's rich welfare plan? Seriously.....
Obama is listening to his Intelligence folks, as well as the commanders on the ground... with regards to the pull out from Iraq..
I found it interesting that the only one who agreed with Obama on his Iraq withdrawl plan was McCain...
Democrats and Republicans are crying foul... Dems, because they are tired of paying for this war, and Republicans because all they can do is say NO to Obama.
You better get used to Obama doing as he pleases. You voted for him.
forever obama will be america president
I'm starting to wonder if Obama is a Will Smith fan.
Watch the Maddow/Pelosi interview. pelosi looks maddow straight in the eye during all questions except possible prosecution of potential war crimes. On that one she looks like a deer in the headlights, looking off to side frequently. Is that a tell? Re was she breifed on torture, her answer is reminiscent of "depends on what your definition of is is".
As I stated a long while ago, Obama's greatest challenge will be Reid and Pelosi! Here we go! Please somebody in Nevada, rise up and replace Reid in office! We would all be grateful. Me asking SF to replace Pelosi is a royal waste of time!
Pelosi you and Reid either get behind our new President or we will vote you out the next go round........Pelosi you act so high and mighty and Reid is starting to show a lot of stupidity.......and I am a staunch Democrat...........but I think these two need to be replaced.........
Reid and Pelosi are making a show of protest for their constituents. They could really care less about anything else except retaining power (with a 4% approval rating?).
As for Obama, he essentially co-opted Bush's withdrawal plan (yes, the Bush Administration started negotiating withdrawal with the Iraqis as early as August last year), slapped his name on it and called it his. Which is typically the way he does anything. When he does anything.
In a democracy elected officials have the duty to question a President. The media makes it into a division so they can stir controversy. I am sure President Obama was more than willing to explain and justify his decision to his colleagues.
To just go along would be what the Republicans did with Bush...which would than be a dictatorship!!
Why don't we turn the bases into federal prisons so we have a place to send the Bush war criminals, corrupt politicians, crooked contractors and wall street bankers. US prisons are all filled beyond capacity and Obama is closing Guantanamo, my first choice.
A tool is something that is used to meet a desired end.
How does it feel to be used as a tool by Obama?
Once again, campaign rhetoric has collided with reality, and you peace-at-any-cost stooges actually believed this con artist when he told you he was going to end the war in Iraq.......SUCKERRRRRRRRRRS!!!