The key detail: President Bush will be required to certify on July 1, 2007 and again on October 1, 2007 whether the Iraq government is meeting key benchmarks in reducing violence and other areas.

If Bush certifies that, yes, the Iraqis are meeting them, then withdrawal would begin on March 1, 2008, and be completed by September 1 of that year.

If Bush certifies on July 1 that, no, the Iraqis are not meeting their benchmarks, then withdrawal would commence immediately and conclude in six months. If he certifies that the Iraqis are meeting the benchmarks on July 1 but not on October 1, then the same six-month withdrawal would kick into gear.

Anyway you slice it, we’re out of Iraq by 9/2008 at the latest.

Are Dems soft on the war on terror?  No.  Here’s another part of the proposal:

Democrats also intend to add $1.2 billion to Bush’s request for military operations in Afghanistan, where the Taliban is expected to mount a spring offensive.

And Dems support the troops, too:

The bill also would add $3.5 billion to Bush’s request for veterans’ health care and medical programs for active duty troops at facilities such as the scandal-scarred Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington.

Criticize that, GOP.

UPDATE:  Full details about the bill here.