Being true to his bi-partisan spirit, Senator Ken Salazar is breaking with his fellow Democrats and urging them not to cut off funding for the Iraq War. He sent a letter today to President Bush.

‘I do not believe that we can or should cut funding for our troops in Iraq or Afghanistan while we anticipate that our troops will be in harm’s way.”

The proposal he is opposing is this one:

On Monday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he wanted to cut off money for the Iraq war next year. Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Russ Feingold, D-Wis., agreed to co-sponsor Reid’s proposal. The proposal would give Bush a year to remove troops from Iraq and would cut off funding for combat operations after March 31, 2008.

Salazar said in his letter (text here) that Bush and Congress should work together. He also urged the President to “embrace and legislatively endorse the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group.”

The Iraq Study Group’s report recommended a troop pullout by early 2008.

The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations. By the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq.

The President is refusing to endorse any timetable for withdrawal, whether it be the one proposed by Democrats in the Senate, the measure that passed in the house or that of the Iraq Study Group. If Sen. Salazar endorses the Iraq Group’s report, what does he suggest be the sanction if Bush doesn’t comply? He doesn’t supply one. He just urges bipartisanship. I don’t find that helpful.