Proposed Iraq pullout lacking specifics

The White House yesterday rejected Democrats' proposals for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq as lacking specifics or "meat on the bones," as President Bush met with the Iraq Study Group, which is seeking to advise the administration on ways to realign Iraq policy.

Democrats have claimed a mandate after last week's elections to force a change in Iraq policy, and key Senate Democrats yesterday called for the first troops to be withdrawn within six months