Iraq War Deadline?

The NY Times reports that the U.S. Senate has successfully passed legislation that attaches a deadline to the Iraq War. However, closer analysis of the bill suggests that it may not be as ironclad as it appears. In fact, the legislation leaves a lot of leeway for keeping combat troops in Iraq. The legislation would...

...require President Bush to begin a phased redeployment of U.S. combat forces from Iraq within 120 days of the enactment of the resolution. It would set a goal (not binding) of redeploying all troops by March 31, 2008. After this date, remaining troops could remain in the country for the following:

• Protecting United States and coalition personnel and infrastructure.
• Training and equipping Iraqi forces.
• Conducting targeted counter-terrorism operations. (emphasis mine)

Maybe I'm just a cynic, but President Bush has already talked about Iraq as a major front in the war on terror. That third bullet point looks a lot like a blank check. Regardless, it represents the first time that Democrats have successfully exercised any Congressional authority in the Iraq conflict.

Despite the loopholes in the deadline, every Senate Republican except Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) opposed the legislation.

"Wars cannot be run from these hallowed and comfortable and sanctified chambers 10,000 miles away from the war zone," said Sen. Kit Bond, R-Mo.

Good point, Senator Bond. Speaking of the Oval Office, perhaps they shouldn't be started from there either.

The Senate bill will head to conference committee for reconciliation with the House bill, which has stronger language about the deadline, calling for most troops to be out by Sept. 1, 2008.