9/11 Commission Recommendations Before a New Iraq Debate

ABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf and Jake Tapper Report: This was to have been the day when Democrats took a look at this binding legislation written by Democratic chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., and Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., to rally around a call to force a "reauthorization" of the war in Iraq with a more narrowly-defined mission.

There’s no telling what exactly went on behind the closed doors of their weekly policy luncheon, but Democratic Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., was not exactly trumpeting the new Iraq resolution when he came to cameras afterwards.

First, Reid said the Democrats would pledge to pass the legislation adopting the remaining 9/11 Commission recommendations bill before refocusing  on Iraq. He said Democrats were focusing on the Homeland Security bill and implementing the 9/11 commission recommendations because, "widows, orphans and survivors" of 9/11 had asked them to, and the House has already passed its version "which puts pressure on us to do this." This morning he read a letter from such widows and survivors on the Senate floor. He said this would be a short delay, however, "a hold off the Iraq debate for days not weeks." (This means he hopes it’s brought to a vote by the end of next week.)

Reid promised that Democrats would act on Iraq. "This is a civil war we have going on Iraq," he said at "It’s not right for us to be referee-ing a civil war. It’s very clear that’s what it is. We never authorized fighting a civil war." Fifty-six percent of the House and Senate voted against the surge, he noted.

Next, Reid said he’s not sure what avenue Senate Democrats will take next on the Iraq issue. He said it could be legislation to reauthorize the Iraq war or else "changing the mission legislatively." It would be something he could bring the whole Democratic caucus together on, he pledged. (Presumably this does not include Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., who DID attend the Democratic caucus today, fyi.)

Reid tried to deflect questions about Democrats being fractured on Iraq. "Democrats are united." he said, pointing to the near Democratic unanimity with regard to the non-binding resolution. He said all Democrats are determined to change course in Iraq.

Before Reid spoke, GOP Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, told reporters at the same camera that Republicans would still (as they have) insist on a vote on prohibiting cutting funding for US troops in Iraq in addition to any Democratic vote chiding the President. McConnell is no longer referring to the President’s Iraq strategy as the surge, but instead as the "General Petraeus mission."

Sen. John Kyl, R Ariz., just back from a fact-finding mission to Iraq, said the commanders he met there think Congress is trying to "micromanage" the war.