Warner's put himself out on a limb, and, while I agree that he's been disappointing before, I think he's really been talking not to his constituents or even to Bush but to a few number of GOP Senators who might be willing to join him in breaking with Bush.  On Meet the Press, Warner was quite clear that he doesn't want to send something to Bush that Bush will veto.  I think that means that Warner is challenging his GOP colleagues to join him and all the Dems except Lieberman in getting to that magic number of 67.  If Warner is successful, Bush just might jump before he's pushed.  I think the ball in squarely in the other GOP Senators' court.  If they hesitate, we can expect to see the Bush White House scoundrels tar Warner as a sentimental old fool with one foot out the door.

in re-reading my comment, I realize I'm a candidate for inclusion in The New Yorker's recurring feature, "Block that Metaphor."

has to say about John's latest foray into nominal independence? Given such past forays, it is hard to place too much reliance on believing his statement will end up being a break with GOP dogma. Mr. J. Warner is a canny fox, and much have been suffering plenty of anguished thoughts as Bush's presidency has degressed )rather than pro-gressed) over the past seven years. So how will the hopeful Tom Davis react to this latest Warnerism?

Warner's gone far enough in showing Davis the right direction on Iraq.  Davis never had and never will have my vote, but I think he's been counting on the patience of his constituents for too long.  I'd like my fellow constituents who not only have Davis as our U.S. Rep. but also have his wife as our VA Sen. to vote against Jeannemarie Devolites Davis this November.  I especially would like those who've supported the Davises in the past and were leaning toward voting for Jeannemarie again this November to send Tom Davis a message if he doesn't join those calling for withdrawal from Iraq beginning this year by voting for Chap Petersen.

I like this article, showing unity between Webb and Warner:

http://www.charlotte...

Taking to the Sunday morning talk shows, Senator Warner said he'll consider supporting democratic legislation to order troop withdrawals if the president refuses to set a return timetable soon.

"That's precisely what I said to the president. I said, here is an option. You can initiate a first withdrawal. You pick the number, Mr. President, and it would send a signal to the Iraqi government that matches your words. His words being, we're not going to be there forever," said Senator John Warner on NBC's Meet The Press.

Virginia Senator Jim Webb (D) said he commends Warner for trying to find a solution that transcends party politics and he supports his Virginia colleague's plan to pull a small number of troops out of Iraq soon.

"We're not going to have stability in that region until the American troops are out of Iraq. We have to do it in a way that brings in the other countries around the region, allows us to focus on international terrorism, and does not destabilize the region," said Senator Jim Webb on ABC News This Week.

According to Webb, U.S. entry into Iraq was never a good move. "The Iraqis didn't attack us. This is what this administration has been doing
since 2001," said Webb.

However, now that we are there, Virginia's senators agree, a timetable for withdrawal is proving necessary.