Chris Shays flip-flop

Two words: Diane Farrell.

One of the staunchest supporters of the war in Iraq has called hearings to set a potential timeline for handing the country over to Iraqis.

U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4th Dist., chairman of a House national security subcommittee, still opposes immediately leaving Iraq, as some Congressional Democrats have proposed. But he said Americans need answers.

[...]

Shays' call for this hearing comes just weeks after anti-war millionaire Ned Lamont defeated U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman in a Democratic primary fought mainly over the issue of Iraq. "Joe and I have had the same view of the war from Day 1," Shays said. "His view could not change because of the election and neither can mine."

But Lamont's candidacy is likely to draw a big voter turnout, said Scott McLean, political science professor at Quinnipiac University. That could be bad for Republicans."With anti-war sentiment at its highest level in Connecticut, Chris Shays is showing he wants to be a listener," McLean said. "He's not changing his position, but he's showing his classic image as a thoughtful listener."

[...]

Shays should have scrutinized the war more effectively, Farrell, his Democratic opponent, said.

"In Congress, I will hold the president accountable -- something Republicans, and especially Chris Shays, have refused to do on Iraq for more than three years," Farrell said at a campaign event in Stamford Thursday. "Congressman Shays' failures on oversight, and loss of focus has resulted in a loss of trust."

Watch how the cheerleaders of George Bush try to distance themselves away from him...