Draft War Resolution

Democratic senators Joe Biden (Delaware) and Carl Levin (Michigan) are spearheading a movement to amend the 2002 war resolution. Changing the resolution is centered around the military agenda in Iraq. In accordance with the new draft, troop engagement in Iraq would be limited to fighting al Qaeda terrorists, training Iraqi forces and helping Iraq defend its borders. Consequently, this trimmed involvement would lead to the return of many troops. Biden supported the original resolution (which passed with a 77-23 vote), while Levin voted against it.

Politicians in disagreement with the old resoluton cite the disparity in situations between the 2002 invasion and the current occupation, claiming that the 2002 resolution is now irrelevant. Tony Fratto, white house spokesperson defiantly spoke out against this opposition.

"The president said this isn't the fight we entered in Iraq, but it's the fight we're in, we went in as a multinational force under U.N. authorization to take military action in Iraq. We were there as an occupying force, and now we're there at the invitation of the sovereign, elected government of Iraq."

While it is evident that it will be very tough for this proposal to be upheld (at least 10 Republicans would have to support it), it will likely be the first of many attempts at reform in Iraq. The situation in Iraq and the Middle East will play a massive role in the 2008 presidential election, and Biden's position in the race could either be bolstered or hampered these stances. No formal action has been taken by either Biden or Levin at this point, but it is believed that the resolution may be introduced or moved through the Senate in the coming future. The aforementioned projected failure of this proposal could change at any moment due to the unstable situation in the Middle East.