Domenici parts ways with Bush on Iraq war

WASHINGTON -- White House efforts to keep congressional Republicans united on the Iraq war suffered another major defection yesterday as Senator Pete Domenici of New Mexico broke with President Bush and called for an immediate change in US strategy that could end combat operations by the spring.

The six-term lawmaker, party loyalist, and formerly staunch war supporter represents one of the most significant GOP losses to date. Speaking to reporters in Albuquerque, Domenici said he began to question his stance last month, after conversations with the family members of New Mexico soldiers killed in action and as it became clear that Iraqi leaders were making little progress toward national reconciliation.

"We cannot continue asking our troops to sacrifice indefinitely while the Iraqi government is not making measurable progress," Domenici said. "I do not support an immediate withdrawal from Iraq or a reduction in funding for our troops. But I do support a new strategy that will move our troops out of combat operations and on the path to coming home."

The White House had hoped that Republican lawmakers would stand back until a mid-September administration report on military and political progress in Iraq resulting from the president's troop increase plan. But Domenici said the signal to Bush should be clear: GOP patience is running out.

Yesterday Domenici embraced a new legislative proposal to reshape US policy around the 79 recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, which called for withdrawing most US combat troops by March 31, 2008.

Democratic leaders dismissed Domenici's announcement as all talk -- at least for now.

"Republicans will have the opportunity to not just say the right things on Iraq, but vote the right way, too, so that we can bring the responsible end to this war that the American people demand and deserve," said Senate majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada.