WASHINGTON — Leading Senate Democrats called Monday for a "phased withdrawal" of U.S. forces from Iraq, outlining what they hope will become a consensus position on the war that will help their party speak with a more unified voice.
Some Democratic lawmakers have called for an immediate withdrawal, others for a continued presence of U.S. troops to foster security. Democratic leaders have been working to develop a consensus to rebut Republican accusations that they are divided and indecisive.
The new Democratic proposal sets a starting point for withdrawing troops but does not set an end date or demand a particular pace for the redeployment, said Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee. He said he planned to offer the measure as an amendment to a defense spending bill being debated this week in the Senate.
"Our amendment does not establish a timetable for redeployment," Levin said. "It does urge that a phased redeployment begin this year, partly as a way of moving away from an open-ended commitment and a way of avoiding Iraqi dependency on a U.S. security blanket."
It also calls on the administration to develop a plan for the continued withdrawal of troops beyond 2006, and to change the definition of the mission from occupation to training, logistical support and counter-terrorism.
The measure is co-sponsored by Sens. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Ken Salazar (D-Colo.). It has gained the support of Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other party leaders.
"This amendment was crafted to get the support of a majority of Democrats as well as some Republicans," said Reid spokesman Jim Manley.
A second proposal, from Sens. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) and Russell D. Feingold (D-Wis.), calls for complete withdrawal by July 2007. It appears to have the support of half a dozen senators, including Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.), who has signed on as a sponsor.
Many of the senators who support the Kerry proposal are expected to back the Levin amendment too, aides said.
"We need a deadline for the redeployment of U.S. forces in Iraq," Kerry and Feingold said in a statement. "A deadline gives Iraqis the best chance for stability and self-government, and most importantly, it allows us to begin refocusing on the true threats that face our country."
