Withdrawal Resolution Overwhelmingly Defeated

House Votes 403-3 Against Resolution for Immediate Withdrawal

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In a maneuver designed to discredit Iraq war critics, the Republican-led House of Representatives overwhelmingly defeated a resolution on Friday to pull U.S. troops immediately from Iraq.

Republicans, who introduced the surprise resolution hours before lawmakers were to start a Thanksgiving holiday recess, said the vote was intended to show backing for U.S. forces.

Democrats denounced it as a political stunt and an attack on Rep. John Murtha of Pennsylvania, a leading Democratic military hawk who stunned his colleagues on Thursday by calling for troops to be withdrawn as quickly as possible.

In some ways it was a stunt, one designed to convince Democrats that Republicans are serious about supporting the troops fighting in Iraq, and serious about prosecuting the War on Terror.

In order to get the attention of a jackass sometimes it's necessary to hit him in the head with a two by four.