Republicans Back Withdrawal Alternative

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 15, 2005 -- Republicans in the U.S. Senate today rejected a move by Senate Democrats and RINOs (Republicans In Name Only) to force President Bush to outline a timetable for withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq. Instead, the Republicans backed an alternative resolution urging that 2006 "should be a period of significant transition to full Iraqi sovereignty.... preferrably before the elections in November".

"We don't want to tell President Bush what to do", said one Republican Senate staffer, "but let's face it, if we don't do something about Iraq and Bush's poll numbers, we're gonna get slaughtered in the 2006 elections".

Rumors suggest that Karl Rove wants President Bush to begin airing commercials that highlight the president's 2002 State of the Union Address where he is repeatedly interrupted by applause...

Thanks to the work of our law enforcement officials and coalition partners, hundreds of terrorists have been arrested. Yet, tens of thousands of trained terrorists are still at large. These enemies view the entire world as a battlefield, and we must pursue them wherever they are. (Applause.) So long as training camps operate, so long as nations harbor terrorists, freedom is at risk. And America and our allies must not, and will not, allow it. (Applause.)

Our nation will continue to be steadfast and patient and persistent in the pursuit of two great objectives. First, we will shut down terrorist camps, disrupt terrorist plans, and bring terrorists to justice. And, second, we must prevent the terrorists and regimes who seek chemical, biological or nuclear weapons from threatening the United States and the world. (Applause.)

Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch -- yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch.

We can't stop short. If we stop now -- leaving terror camps intact and terror states unchecked -- our sense of security would be false and temporary. History has called America and our allies to action, and it is both our responsibility and our privilege to fight freedom's fight. (Applause.)