Washington – While many other Democrats criticized President Bush’s “strategy for victory” Wednesday as lacking a specific plan for getting U.S. forces out of Iraq, Sen. Ken Salazar of Colorado called it “a step in the right direction.”
“It begins to address the Senate’s call for a successful exit strategy with measurable benchmarks” in Iraq, Salazar said. “All Americans can use these shared standards to evaluate our progress going forward.”
But Rep. Mark Udall, who also has endorsed the Senate’s demand for benchmarks, said Bush’s speech fell short precisely because it didn’t set any.
“I’d like to see the president set some specific goals and say when we’re going to meet them,” said Udall, of Eldorado Springs. “He’s asking for more patience. That’s not a strategy.”
Still, Udall said he isn’t ready to support a resolution by Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., calling for rapid troop withdrawals.
Rep. Diana DeGette, a Denver Democrat, said she is still studying Murtha’s resolution but has co-sponsored another resolution asking the president to set a timetable for withdrawal.
DeGette said Bush’s Wednesday speech offered nothing new.
“Without a plan to measure benchmarks, I fear this administration may never withdraw troops from Iraq,” DeGette said.
Colorado’s Republicans largely gave Bush a full-throated cheer for his plan, which calls for continuing to train Iraqi troops to take over their country’s security.
“I was pleased that he continued to emphasize how important it is that we stay the course,” said Sen. Wayne Allard. “I do think things are going in the right direction.”
Rep. Bob Beauprez of Arvada also strongly backed Bush.
“I agree that victory is the only option in Iraq, and it is our best blueprint for getting our troops back home and making our nation more secure,” said Beauprez, a candidate for governor.
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave of Fort Morgan said that in her discussions with troops and military families, “what has stuck with me the most is their resolve to press on in our fight against terrorism and their support for the president.”
Rep. Tom Tancredo of Littleton said Iraqis need to take charge of their own security.
“We’re going to have to tell the Iraqis what Benjamin Franklin told a cleaning lady after emerging from the Constitutional Convention. She asked, ‘Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?’ Franklin replied, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.”‘
Staff writer Mike Soraghan can be reached at 202-662-8730 or msoraghan@denverpost.com.
