Baker Panel Preparing Iraq Alternatives

WASHINGTON -- James A. Baker III, the former secretary of state with a long-standing reputation of service to Republican presidents and the Bush family in particular, has joined a list of prominent Republicans raising questions about the administration's Iraq policy.

Co-chairman of a bipartisan commission studying what to do next in the wartorn country, Baker said his panel is preparing to recommend that President Bush consider options other than his "stay-the-course" strategy in Iraq.

"Our commission believes that there are alternatives between the stated alternatives, the ones that are out there in the political debate, of stay the course and cut and run," the former secretary of state said.

Partisan critics of Democratic proposals to consider drawing down U.S. troops in Iraq at times call that kind of talk a "cut and run" strategy.

Baker did not disclose specific proposals that might be adopted by the commission, which plans to issue its report after the November congressional elections. But his remarks Sunday on the ABC's "This Week" were the latest in which a high-profile Republican has seemed to say it is time for the administration to consider other alternatives in Iraq.

White House spokesman Tony Snow said that when the commission makes its proposals, "We are going to take them seriously." Asked if the administration would make changes after the election, Snow said "There are tactical and strategic changes and adjustments that are made all the time. That's the nature of a war."

Read the rest at the Washington Post

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