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  Tempers flare on Iraq
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ContributorThe Sunset Provision 
Last EditedThe Sunset Provision  Jul 15, 2007 07:36pm
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MediaWebsite - Yahoo News
News DateMonday, July 16, 2007 01:00:00 AM UTC0:0
DescriptionWhen senators from opposing parties call each other "friend" and pat each other as they talk, there's a fighting chance they're angling to wring each other's neck.

So it appeared on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday when Democrat Jim Webb of Virginia and Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina testily exchanged views on President Bush's Iraq policy and troop welfare. An impromptu troop surge debate turned into a temper surge.

"Just wash your hands of Iraq," an animated Graham said to the war critics, including the Democrat seated to his immediate right. "History will judge us, my friend."

"It's been a hard month, Lindsey," Webb commiserated, wearing a tight smile. "You need to calm down, my friend."

"Lindsey's had a hard month," Webb repeated.

"It ain't about Lindsey having a hard month," Graham snapped.

The Democrat, a Vietnam veteran, lost an effort in the Senate last week to require specified periods of home time for troops deployed in the war, his bill winning majority support but falling short of the 60 votes needed to proceed. He took sharp objection when Graham asserted that high re-enlistment numbers are a vote of confidence in the Iraq policy by the troops.

"This is one thing I really take objection to — may I speak? — is politicians who try to put their political views into the mouths of soldiers," Webb said over his opponent's interruptions. He placed his hand briefly on Graham's back, then jerked his thumb in the Republican's direction.

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