Washington, D.C. -  Tonight, the President announced a course that has been rejected by our military leaders, rejected in Congress, and rejected by the American people. The real solution in Iraq - if it's not already too late - will be political and diplomatic, not military. We do need a new direction in Iraq, but the President failed to offer one tonight.

The President is finally claiming that our commitment in Iraq is not open-ended, but the message his policy is sending to the Iraqis is exactly the opposite. Our occupation of Iraq is simply unsustainable, and the only responsible option is to bring it to end.

The President also made a pledge tonight to confer in good faith with Congress. The coming days are likely to put that pledge to the test. They will put Congress to the test as well, as we consider how to utilize the means at our disposal to change our country’s course.