Lieberman: Troop withdrawl equals retreat

Who couldn't see this one coming from George Bush's favorite Democrat Republican...

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman stood with House and Senate Republican leaders today and declared that any congressional effort to mandate Iraq troop withdrawals would amount to "an attempt to force a retreat" on American troops.

"It is high time," he said, "some of our colleagues remove their blinders and acknowledge reality," that the American effort in Iraq is succeeding.

[...]

The remarks by Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with Senate Democrats, came as members of both parties are inching closer to a compromise on troop reductions.

That effort is expected to become the subject of debate after Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker deliver a war status report to congressional committees Monday and Tuesday.

One popular compromise being discussed by members of Congress would require a withdrawal to begin before the end of this year, but set no firm deadlines for removing all American troops.

GOP leaders, as well as Lieberman, objected.

Flanked by members of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Gold Star Mothers, Lieberman today insisted that the U.S. effort in Iraq is at a "critical crossroads." Will the United States, he asked, choose '' safety and strength or defeat and weakness."

Progress is being made in Iraq, he and the others insisted, yet war opponents refuse to concede that point.

"Some of our colleagues stubbornly refuse to acknowledge the achievements of our troops," Lieberman said.

And, he added, "Iraqi security forces are making real progress. Whatever the shortcomings, there are no excuses to surrender to our enemies in Iraq."

It's quite simple, Lieberman is a hopeless cause and stubbornly refuses to accept the reality that the war in Iraq is a complete mess.

I wonder how those Libercrats who "Stuck with Joe" after the primary feel about their decision now? At least my conscious is clear.