A member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee with 36 years in the Senate, Pete Domenici (R-NM) became the fourth senior Senate Republican to recently reject President Bush's war strategy (Washington Post). I'll be darned. 
The other three are Richard Lugar (IN), the Foreign Relations Committee's lead Republican, who publicly gave detailed criticism of Bush's strategies; John Warner (VA), former Armed Services Committee chairman, who publicly applauded Lugar (WaPo); and George Voinovich (OH), who wrote a letter to Bush, calling for troop withdrawal (see letter).
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi asked the key question: will Republicans actually vote to change course in Iraq? President Bush wants to wait until Administration officials report on the war's progress in September before deciding a new course. The four senior Republican senators want to speed up troop withdrawals.
What's a few extra months? From January - June of 2007, an average of 95 U.S soldiers per month were killed and 513 per month were wounded. (See Iraq Coalition Casualties.) That doesn't include contractors or other civilians.
On a gossipy note, Domenici is linked to the fired U.S. Attorney scandal. (BNP)
Outside the Beltway commented: "that Republican Senators continue to bail on the war would seem to be further evidence that the insurgents are winning." For others' reactions (pro and con), see next page.
* Senior Republican Calls for Iraq War Policy Change (Moderate Voice)
* Domenici Becomes Latest to Dive (Red State)
* Domenici Calls for Withdrawal of Most US Troops (Hot Air)
* Pete Domenici is a Pinko Commie (Rants and Reviews)
* Sneaky Pete Jumps Overboard and Swims for Shore (Down With Tyranny)
* Another Republican Senator Defects, for More than One Reason (Prairie Weather)
* Domenici Jumps Ship (Political Animal at Washington Monthly)
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