The Big Question: Gil Gutknecht clarifies his Iraq view: Or does he?

Strib blogger Eric Black asks The Big Question:

Esteemed colleagues Diaz and Lonetree sought clarity. Did the congressman  provide it?

Guthknecht has been an unwavering supporter of the Bush approach on Iraq, until his recent trip to Baghdad. Upon his return, he said the situation in Baghdad was “a serious problem” and suggested that the withdrawal of some U.S. troops might help motivate the Iraqis to take responsibility for their own security.

He says he still basically supports the Bush we-will-stand-down-as-the-Iraqis-stand-up approach.

The idea of a symbolic withdrawal as a wake-up call to the Iraqis is not part of the current administration rhetoric. But it begs the same question as most of the other in-between plans. What if it doesn’t have the advertised effect? What if you make the symbolic withdrawal and the situation just gets worse?