The Senate is continuing a marathon debate on a Democratic measure that would begin a withdrawal from Iraq but still leave thousands of troops behind. Democrats forced the chamber into a rare all-night session that began Tuesday morning. The legislation would start a pullout within four months and set a deadline for April of next year. But tens of thousands of troops could remain behind for so-called “anti-terrorism” operations, protect U.S. assets and train Iraqi security forces. Late Tuesday, bill co-sponsor Senator Carl Levin of Michigan addressed a vigil of peace demonstrators outside the Capitol building.

Sen. Carl Levin: “Last November the American people did something which was so dramatic, it was like a typhoon hit this country. They told the Republican Congress that they had enough. They want to end the war in Iraq. It is time to change course. And the reason that we (Democrats) are in control of the Congress is because the American people want us to change course in Iraq.”

Republican leaders have vowed a filibuster. Democrats are expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed to break the Senate deadlock. Several Republicans who have criticized the White House on Iraq say they won’t support the measure. Speaking on the Senate floor, former Democrat and current Independent Senator Joe Lieberman said he’ll vote with Republicans.

Sen. Joe Lieberman: “The war in Iraq, if it is to be lost, will be lost as a result of a loss of political will here at home.”

Earlier Tuesday, President Bush also denounced the Democratic legislation and said he would issue a veto if it passed.

President Bush: “Al-Qaeda would have been a heck of a lot stronger today had we not stayed on the offense, and it is in the interest of the United States to defeat them overseas so we don’t have to face them here, but to also spread an ideology that will defeat their ideology every time, and that is the ideology based upon liberty.”