VOICES

‘If we were to cut and run, the violence in Iraq would certainly increase.... Chaos would result. Bloody civil war would result. Terrorists and rival militias would tear the country apart.’

Sen. Bill Frist

(R-Tenn.)

Senate majority leader

*

‘Republicans will accuse Democrats of wanting to cut and run.... They will call us unpatriotic and say that we do not support the U.S. troops -- men and women whom the Bush administration has unjustifiably sent into harm’s way. All of these accusations are hollow diversions meant to prevent the American public from focusing on the fact that President Bush and congressional Republicans have failed to strengthen our homeland against another terrorist attack.’

Rep. Maxine Waters

(D-Los Angeles)

*

‘The president says we need to stay in Iraq until the mission is complete. But the president cannot explain

to the American people exactly

what our mission is -- let alone tell us when he expects

to complete it.’

Rep. Diane Watson

(D-Los Angeles)

*

‘There will be a day of reckoning. The American people are demanding answers. They deserve a truthful accounting of how we got into this unnecessary war. They deserve to know when our troops are coming home. They deserve to know if our troops are coming home. The American people will not forget that instead of answers to their questions, the Republican majority gave them more rhetoric and posturing.’

Rep. Barbara Lee

(D-Oakland)

*

‘We must stand firm in our commitment to fight terrorism and the evil it inflicts throughout the world. We must renew our resolve that the actions of evildoers will not dictate American policy.’

Rep. J. Dennis Hastert

(R-Ill.), House speaker

‘This year, 2006, should be a year of transition in Iraq. And it is my expectation that the United States will be able to reduce the American troop deployment ... and transfer the risks and responsibilities to the duly elected government of Iraq.’

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer

(D-Md.)

*

‘Many, not all, on the other side of the aisle lack the will to win.’

Rep. Charlie Norwood

(R-Ga.)

*

‘The American people understand that you can question President Bush’s Iraq policy and support our troops.’

Rep. Nancy Pelosi

(D-San Francisco)

House minority leader

*

‘The desire

to run away only encourages pursuit.’

Rep. Henry J. Hyde

(R-Ill.)

*

‘The American people need decisiveness, not flip-flopping.’

Rep. Virginia Foxx

(R-N.C.)