"I am adamantly opposed to President Bush’s decision to escalate the number of American troops in Iraq. Now he wants to compound a failed policy by putting more American men and women in harm’s way.  It is a weak and last-ditch effort to control the rapidly deteriorating security situation in Iraq.  It will not work.

"The U.S. Congress has appropriated over $300 billion dollars for Iraq.  More than 3,000 Americans have already made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq.  The sectarian violence continues unabated and is growing. Today less than 30% of Americans approve of the President’s handling of the war.

"Adding more U.S. troops will not change the situation on the ground, nor will it change the American public’s growing opposition to the debacle in Iraq.  It will not change the fact that the U.S. and Government of Iraq have failed to train and equip a credible Iraqi security force.  And it will not change the fact that the current President of Iraq, Nuri Al-Maliki, is incapable of rising above the sectarian agenda of Shiite cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr, whose militia continues to fuel the violence.

"Democrats in Congress and the majority of American people support a plan that would include redeployment of American forces.  This approach would send a message to the Iraqis that they must take responsibility for their own security.  It will also reduce the strain on U.S. military personnel and their equipment, both of which are at the breaking point and in danger of coming unhinged.

"President Bush’s plan once again demonstrates that he is not facing reality and that he has not heeded the advice of his Generals and numerous experts outside his administration.  The disaster in Iraq will not be solved militarily.  The only rational solution to this crisis is political.  The deployment of yet more troops is the wrong decision, at the wrong time, and in the wrong place.

"I remain concerned about the safety of our military personnel in Iraq. However, I will only support legislation that calls for the redeployment of our troops and with specific timetables for their withdrawal from Iraq.  I will oppose any bill authorizing the escalation of forces."