New strategy developing for Iraq pullout

WASHINGTON, March 5 (UPI) -- Democrats and their leaders in the U.S. Congress cite the need to strengthen the military as a reason for pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq.

Instead of saying it's time for the Iraqis to take charge, U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and followers are portraying a troop pullout as the only means of rebuilding the U.S. military, The Hill reported Wednesday.

In the last few weeks, Pelosi has released three official statements designed to highlight the comments of generals who say the U.S. military is reaching a breaking point.

Top Pentagon commanders have testified before Congress that the Iraq war is putting a strain on the military.

"This is about America's security," says Rep. Joe Sestak, D-Pa., "We have an Army that can't deploy anywhere else in the world."

Leadership aides told The Hill an exact legislative strategy for linking readiness to withdrawal hasn't been developed but Democrats and their allies are preparing to build a case.

The Hill says Democrats plan to use the budget battle that begins this week as the first step.