Alexander Listening to Iraq Study Group

Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is introducing a motion with seven other Senators to adopt the Iraq Study Group recommendation, which would move American soldiers out of a combat role in Iraq, and leave Americans there only to advise and train Iraqis.

The Iraq Study Group Report has been sitting on a shelf for many months. Why the sudden desire to bring it back? The opposition of 70% of Americans to continuing the same policy may explain part of it, and the impact of Rep. Ron Paul's presidential campaign may explain the rest. Americans seem to be flocking to Paul's proposal to leave Iraq. Perhaps the Senators see in the Iraq Study Group a way to capitalize on that energy without directly endorsing Paul's proposal.

Regardless of the motivations, it's great to see some movement. "Stay the course" is perhaps a steady strategy, but not always a productive one. At some point, we need to re-evaluate whether it is in our national interest.