On Monday afternoon, Vermont Senator Pat Leahy spoke with the Huffington Post on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention. Addressing the breaking news that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is insisting on a full U.S. withdrawal by 2011, the Democratic chairman of the judiciary committee said: "Yeah, there should be a time limit. I think Maliki probably realizes Barack Obama is going to win ... and that they're gonna have to start paying some of the bills themselves. Most Americans are going to feel it's about time. Most Americans except John McCain."
Leahy also offered high praise for the Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden. Noting that the COPS program and the Violence Against Women Act were passed in part due to Biden's advocacy, Leahy said: "When I was a prosecutor, if they'd had either one of these, my life would have been much simpler ... President Bush has tried very hard to cut out the COPS program. To cut out the Violence Against Women Act, or cut it back. Joe Biden has pushed very hard against that."
On the topic of the nation's deteriorating infrastructure, Leahy also offered some choice advice to Republicans, who are set to meet next week in Minnesota -- where a bridge collapse last year led to the deaths of 13 people.
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