Senate Democrats fell short of a majority, 50-48, last week on a similar attempt to set a timeline for the war. Since then, Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and others have made changes in hopes of persuading Sens. Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Mark Pryor of Arkansas to swing behind the withdrawal proposal. The changes include a series of suggested goals for the Iraqi government to meet to provide for its own security, enhance democracy and distribute its oil wealth fairly.

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More than two months after Democrats took power, the main focus in the war debate was on the House, where Pelosi and other leading Democrats chipped away at holdouts.

Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, a 10th-term lawmaker and longtime opponent of the war, said he would support the measure. He called the legislation a "bare minimum but dramatically better than what we have today, which is a war without end, from a president capable only of escalation, not negotiation."

Rep. Hank Johnson of Georgia, new to Congress, said he was leaning toward supporting the legislation, as well. Like McDermott, he said he wanted a faster end to the war, but also said he had listened to the arguments of leadership that the current measure was the most that could be passed given the current makeup of the House.

"What we are here to do is to govern," Johnson said of the new Democratic majority, which came to power in January after midterm elections framed by voter discontent with the war.

Democrats hold 233 seats in the House, meaning they can lose 15 votes from their own rank and file and still be assured of passing the measure.

Whatever the vote count, some war foes disagreed with the strategy.

"I think the Democrats are doing it all wrong," said Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio.

"We don't agree with them," said Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Calif. She said she and others believe the party must "honor what the voters of November said, which is to be bold, end the war and bring the troops home."

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