Shuler votes for pullout (updated)

Congressman Heath Shuler (NC-11) belatedly joined the majority of Americans today by voting “yea” as the US House of Representatives approved the Iraq war budget bill, 218 to 212. The $124.3 billion bill requires a September 1, 2008 deadline for the withdrawal of American troops.

He had been one of the last Democratic holdouts.

This is from his press release:

“Earlier this week, we entered the fifth year of the war Iraq. Throughout that time this Congress has provided the President with all the resources needed to wage this war. However, this body failed to provide any of the oversight he needed. Today, this Congress corrected that lack of oversight, while still providing our troops the funding they need and our military leaders the flexibility they require.”

Acccording to the press release, Shuler has turned for advice and support to retired Brigadier General John H. Johns, a leader in counterinsurgency tactics.

“This bill sets commonsense benchmarks laid out by the President and deadlines supported by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group,” said General Johns. “This vote and this bill will strengthen our military. It is the honest way to support our troops.

. . .

Congressman Shuler and General Johns both spoke of recent statements by General David Petreaus, commander of US forces in Iraq, that there is not a military solution to the conflict as evidence that the bill was the right course of action.

Congressman Shuler concluded his thoughts on the bill by saying, “The people of Western North Carolina sent me to Congress to ask the tough questions and demand accountability on this war. I have attended briefings at the White House and the Pentagon where I have been able to ask those questions. I have spoken to generals and troops on the ground, veterans and the families of those fighting. I have listened to my constituents, and I have prayed. I am confident that supporting this bill is the proper course of action.”

This from today’s Citizen-Times:

Shuler, who had been publicly uncommitted, made his announcement this morning just before the House was scheduled to vote on the bill.

“This is a big day, a big decision. I will vote for it,” Shuler, D-Waynesville, said.

To reach his decision, he said he had spoken with colleagues like freshman Pennsylvania Rep. Patrick Murphy, an Iraq war veteran who ran and won as an anti-war candidate, as well as with foreign policy and military experts.

Shuler also added, “I prayed about it.”

He now believes the two deadlines in the bill will not interfere with U.S. commanders’ ability to lead and will not endanger U.S. troops already in Iraq.

Shuler also noted that the Bush administration and its top commanders have acknowledged that U.S. military action cannot solve the sectarian issues that continue to fuel violence among various Iraqi factions.

This post was updated with the quotes from the Congressman’s press office. I don’t know of any polling data from the 11th District but they obviously feel defensive. – DQ