Pelosi Backs Murtha’s Call for Troop Pullout

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi on Wednesday backed a call by Democratic Rep. John P. Murtha to quickly start the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, and said she believed a majority of her caucus supported it as well.

“I will be supporting the Murtha resolution,” Pelosi said of his plan calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq at the earliest practicable date, which he said should be about six months.

Murtha, of Pennsylvania, is a decorated Vietnam War veteran and one of Congress’ most hawkish Democrats who had supported the Iraq war, although he criticized President Bush’s handling of it.

Pelosi, a California congresswoman who opposed the March 2003 invasion of Iraq, said she believed a majority of House Democrats “clearly supports Mr. Murtha.” She said she was speaking for herself and would not press for a united Democratic position on the issue.

Pelosi had stopped short of endorsing the position of Murtha when he stunned colleagues on Nov. 17 by advocating a quick withdrawal, saying U.S. troops had become targets that were fueling the insurgency.

Pelosi was one of several Democrats reacting to a speech by Bush on Wednesday aimed at critics of his war strategy. He vowed U.S. forces would not cut and run from Iraq but said improvements in Iraqi security forces could clear the way for a reduction in U.S. troops.

Pelosi said Congress needed to conduct a “serious debate” about withdrawing U.S. troops, although she expressed doubt that Republican leaders would let Murtha’s resolution come to the House floor.