September 16, 2007 (LPAC)--In an interview, taped on Sept. 12, and shown today on C-Span, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) threw down the gauntlet against the White House, and its mouthpiece, Petraeus, ridiculing the appearance at Congress as "Kabuki theater." The 30,000 troop reduction that Bush references is only what is required anyway. They have to let these troops out, and there are not enough troops or units to replace them.

Webb said that Congress has to hear from other voices, such as Petraeus' "operational commander," Adm. William J. Fallon, the head of Centcom, "who has indicated a different view," and also from some like Gen. Brent Scowcroft (ret.) to get a full picture.

The Congress "is in a pickle" in terms of mandating reduction or withdrawal because the Democrats cannot muster a veto-proof majority. But his "dwell time" amendment (equal time at home in non-combat, as in combat) is vital for the survival of the U.S. army and Marines. Short of withdrawal, this is a "safety net," Webb said, and cited three Republicans who voted against it when it failed with only 57 votes in favor, who have directly told him about their interest: John Warner (R-VA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and George Voinovich (R-OH).

Speaking on CBS, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) supported Webb, but was not certain that the votes could break a veto. On the same show, reporter Tom Ricks, author of the book "Fiasco," about Iraq, said that members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are very concerned that the U.S. troops are too stretched and cannot respond to other problems that would come up.