Senate Democrats Seek the Right Iraq 'Formula'

Sept. 21, 2007 — -- Though in control of both houses of Congress, Democrats faced considerable resistance in the Senate trying to change the president's Iraq policy this week, leaving little room to question that they've lost some of their steam. They'll turn their efforts now to finding the balance between changing Iraq policy and attracting GOP colleagues disenchanted with the war.

It was déjà vu all over again this morning. Senators convened and, without fanfare, voted (again) on an amendment that would have mandated the beginning of withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq, set an end date for having all combat troops out of the war-torn country, and transitioned the role of the remaining troops to training, counterterrorism and force protection.

Today's measure, sponsored by Democratic Sens. Carl Levin of Michigan and Jack Reed of Rhode Island, needed 60 votes to pass, and it failed 47-47.

In trying to change war policy, Senate Democrats have forced a string of votes but have yet to find a way around Republicans insisting, as is their right, on a super majority 60 vote threshold for any legislation that would be binding to the White House.

What's worse for the Democrats is that though there was never a question about what the outcome of today's vote would be, they actually lost support from a similar vote in July. It was the third major vote this week Democrats sought to change war policy.

Their first vote failed Wednesday -- on an amendment that would have given troops equal time when they're stationed stateside as when deployed to war zones -- and there was no chance the others would pass either.

Asked if Democrats were wasting the Senate's time with all the Iraq votes that seem to have little chance of passing, Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, shot back, "There is no better use of the Senate's time" than trying to end the Iraq War.

But Levin also told reporters that Democrats would spend the weekend trying to find the right "formula" to gain more votes for a measure to change war policy and enact some sort of timetable for withdrawal.

"If its not going to be enacted into law, at least it ought to be a goal," Levin said. He did not say what other tactics Democratic leaders might employ to try to gain votes from Republicans. Whatever methods Democrats do employ, it will be an elusive formula to perfect.