Republican Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. went so far as to say Mr. Bush "could really declare victory in the next six months if he wanted to."

The latest political setback on Iraq came when a conservative, a moderate, a liberal and a libertarian teamed up in the House yesterday to prod Mr. Bush to set a timetable to withdraw from Iraq.

The resolution was sponsored by Reps. Walter B. Jones Jr. (R-N.C.), Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii), Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) and Ron Paul (R-Tex.). It calls for Bush to begin drawing down troops in Iraq by Oct. 1, 2006, but does not set a date for complete withdrawal.

(6-17-05, The Washington Post.)