Maintaining American troops in Iraq indefinitely could be a formula for disaster, Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold said Friday. Feingold, who may be considering a run for the presidency, reiterated his desire for a timetable for withdrawing American forces from Iraq at a rally in Manchester, N.H.
Feingold has questioned the administration's \shifting justifications' for the war and the administration's plans for ""making certain our action in Iraq does not detract from or undermine the fight against terrorism.""
UW-Madison history professor Jeremi Suri said that while he did not argue for prolonging the war, two problems can result from immediate draw down. ""It dosen't decrease anti-Americanism,"" Suri said. Further, immediate troop withdrawal might ""embolden adversaries who perceive American weakness.""
""To simply say getting out is an alternative plan is not enough,"" Suri said. ""One needs to say how getting out will, in the long run, contribute to American security and contribute to a better situation in Iraq.""
Representatives from Madison political groups considered the sentiment behind troop withdrawal from different perspectives. Brian Shactman, chair of the College Democrats of Madison, said the sentiment behind composing a timetable for troop draw down is not unique to Feingold.
""I think it's a sentiment that is really starting to be felt across the country,"" Shactman said. ""We're gradually seeing a shift, as a party, that's going back to the fact that, 'wow, we really were mislead and this is a quagmire.'""
Jordan Smith, chair of College Republicans, said that she has not heard critical assessments on the policies pursued in Iraq from members of her organization. ""Most of the College Republicans are going to support the war in Iraq right now,"" Smith said.
""Withdrawal should not be the final step,"" Suri said. ""It should be the step toward a more international non-military set of solutions.""
