50 Congressional Reps: Set Timetable to Leave Iraq

The House resolution introduced by two Southern Republicans -- Reps. Walter Jones (NC, picture shown) and Ron Paul (TX) -- and Democratic Reps. Dennis Kucinich (OH) and Neil Abercrombie (HI) calling for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq now has 50 cosponsors. Jones appears to be the ringleader; at least he's the one getting the most media and political mileage out of his anti-war stance.

As the bi-partisan, anti-war forces slowly gain strength in Congress, the chasm is widening between the clear and principled stand they're offering on one hand, and the befuddled silence and status-quo hawkishness emenating from the Republican and Democratic leadership on the other. The Democratic leadership seems especially incable of dealing with the clear anti-war message developing within their ranks -- a failure that will only become more pronounced with time.