Democrats make all-night push for change in Iraq

WASHINGTON, July 17 (Reuters) A weary and sharply divided US Senate today headed toward a showdown vote on an apparently doomed Democratic plan to withdraw US combat troops from Iraq by the end of April 2008.

Capping an around-the-clock debate, the vote was expected about 11 am EDT (2030 IST). Republicans appeared certain to succeed with a procedural roadblock that would stop the troop pullout plan opposed by the White House.

While a majority of lawmakers back the plan, the Senate seemed several votes short of the needed 60 to clear the roadblock and allow a vote on passage. Democrats have only a 51-49 majority over Republicans.

Republicans denounced the marathon debate as a stunt by Democrats who have drawn fire from voters for failing to deliver on a 2006 campaign vow to withdraw troops.

Cots were setup in a room near the Senate to help lawmakers get some rest during their long night, which also featured food deliveries and heated verbal exchanges.

''Republicans will need to choose whether they want to protect the president or protect our troops,'' Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada said.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky answered back, ''The Democrats, unfortunately, are trying to undermine the efforts of our troops and restrict the ability of our generals to carry out their mission.'' Democrats noted that more than 3,600 US soldiers have died in the war, now in its fifth year, and that a change in strategy was needed. Republicans warned a troop pullout would embolden terrorists and increase the risk of attack on the United States.

As the night wore on, Democratic aides delivered packages of toothbrushes, toothpaste and deodorant to fellow Republican aides with an attached note: ''A few supplies for your sleepless night.

Help us bring an end to the war.'' SEPTEMBER REPORT The debate unfolded on the same day Bush and Congress received a US intelligence report saying the United States faced an increased threat of attack from al Qaeda.

Democrats seized on the report as evidence that the more than 400 billion dollars spent by the United States on the Iraq war has done little to improve national security. They have urged the Bush administration to refocus efforts at undermining al Qaeda in Pakistan, Afghanistan and other regions.

The troop pullout measure was offered by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat. It calls for an unspecified number of non-combat US troops to stay in Iraq after the withdrawal to help train Iraqi soldiers, conduct counterterrorism missions and protect US diplomats and facilities.

The White House has been urging Democrats and wavering Republicans to hold off considering troop withdrawals until mid-September when the Pentagon will deliver a status report on Bush's seven-month-old initiative to secure Baghdad by injecting about 30,000 more soldiers.

But Iraq's ambassador to the United States, Samir Sumaidaie, said even more time may be needed.

''I think September is frankly too soon to show anything more than an inkling of its potential, but yes, we want that to continue until we see real fruit,'' the ambassador told reporters at the Iraqi Embassy.

Reuters SM GC1913