The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq Revisited

Back on March 17th, at the Take Back America conference, Darcy Burner and five other Democratic challengers for Congress unveiled the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.

The document germinated six months before when Darcy Burner asked Retired General Paul Eaton to help her put together a detailed, concrete plan that brings together legislation already introduced (but not passed) in Congress, and recommendations as yet unrealized from the Iraq Study Group (or Baker-Hamilton Commission).

There are those that would like to question Burner's role, and downplay the importance of the document she was the primary author of, and the effort she spearheaded. Nevermind the fact that publications such as The Nation, The Washington Post, Huffington Post, Politico, and The New Republic have all written about her leadership role and authoring of the plan.

The unveiling event for the plan at Take Back America was streamed live online. Burner spoke first and was followed by five of the early endorsees, candidates Donna Edwards (MD-04), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Tom Perriello (VA-05), Sam Bennett (PA-15) and Jared Polis (CO-02).

The following two quotes from the speeches underline the nature of Burner's leadership role.

Sam Bennett, candidate for U.S. House 15th CD, Pennsylvania:

I was asked to speak to you about why I'm signing on [to The Responsible Plan], and before I tell you why I'm signing on, I think we haven't done a very important thing yet. I've been on this planet 50 years, I have two girls in college, and I have a late life gift, David, he's five - Darcy and I both have five year olds at home - but I would like to commend the leadership of Darcy. For a young woman to put this forth, the effort and the vision, and then to have the largess to invite her fellow challengers to join with her in this, I can tell you in my 30 years of being a business woman, a leader, that it's very unusual. Please, a round of applause for Darcy Burner.

Jared Polis, candidate for U.S. House 2nd CD, Colorado:

I'm Jared Polis from Colorado. I'm running for Congress to propel Darcy Burner into a leadership position in the Democratic Party as quickly as possible! Isn't it remarkable, Darcy's leadership, and also that our class is beginning to take on the mantle of leadership even prior to being elected. We need the Democrats in Washington, D.C. to show same kind of backbone that many of the Democrats here who are running for office are showing today.

Since then the list of endorsees has grown to 54 House candidates.

Here are a couple of videos of the early endorsers and General Eaton talking about the plan:

Last week, Nancy Pelosi spoke about the impact of the plan on recent work in the House:

Democratic leadership recently has worked harder to stick to its own agenda. That was particularly true, she said, with recent votes on Iraq.

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"This time we just said, 'What do we want in this bill? What is the statement that needs to be made?' "

Part of that statement has been to reflect what is in a document called the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq. Created by Burner and a team of experts, the plan calls for a rapid troop withdrawal and an increased diplomatic and humanitarian effort in Iraq.

The plan has been endorsed by other Democratic congressional challengers, as well as some retired military officers.

Big threads of the plan include legislation that already existed in Congress but failed to pass under two years of Democratic control.

"You could think of a million things you could do better in terms of Iraq, probably at least a million," Pelosi said. "But it's a question of where you put the focus. And yes, indeed, what she has done helped focus that."

And Burner got other candidates to sign on. "That drumbeat isn't lost on Congress."

And Congressman Jay Inslee has also cited the plan on the House floor.

Getting the word out about the plan is an ongoing effort for these candidates, but thanks to their efforts and Burner's leadership it is starting to make a difference.

You can read the plan at http://www.responsibleplan.com/plan.