Chet Edwards: Congress Should Look For A New Path On Iraq
By Vince Leibowitz on Nov 15, 2006 in Texas Congressional Delegation
U.S. Congressman Chet Edwards (D-Waco) has come out against the status quo in saying it is time for Congress to look for a new bath and be honest about options for Iraq.
Edwards, who got some attention shortly after the election for his govern-from-the-center approach, says it is time for a new approach:
U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, said Monday that Congress should look for a new path on Iraq, the day after a key Senate Democrat said the party would push for a phased troop withdrawal beginning in four to six months.
“I think we all need to be open-minded and brutally honest about what the options are in Iraq, and none of them is easy,†Edwards said Monday. “The status quo is not working the way we would want it to, and we have to take some new approaches.â€
Edwards isn’t calling for an immediate withdrawal (which he campaigned against), and hasn’t mentioned the word “timetable.” He says “it’s premature to conclude what the approach should be.â€
Being out of the loop these days, I was wondering if there was any buzz as to what kind of assignments Chet might get with the new House? He has been ranking member of the Appropriations subcommittee that oversees military and veterans dollars. Before the 1994 GOP overthrow he was one of the Dem deputy whips. Chet plays well with his peers on both sides pretty well, so I wonder if anyone knows what might be in store for him in the new Dem Congress?
Dick,
You know, it is very strange, because I’ve had my ear to the ground about Chet’s leadership possibilities and I’ve heard *zero*.
I thought for sure he’d get a deputy whip position or something. If he doesn’t, I’d speculate it is because he specifically declines them in order to remain as centrist as possible.
Thanks for your thoughts.