Running Scared

Republicans in the Senate are running scared, fast and hard in some cases away from Iraq. This, from the other day is especially galling.

Senator Warner to General Petraeus:

We're not a division here today of patriots who support the troops and those who are making statements and working on resolutions that could be translated as aiding and abetting the enemy. We're trying to exercise the fundamental responsibilities of our democracy and how this nation has two co-equal branches of the government, each bearing its own responsibilities.

I hope that this colloquy has not entrapped you into some responses that you might later regret. I wonder if you would just give me the assurance that you'll go back and examine the transcript as to what you replied with respect to certain of these questions and review it, because we want you to succeed.

. . . I'm very proud of this committee and I don't want an impression, certainly among the armed forces, that we're not all steadfast behind them.

"Leave the politics to us," indeed. Then, Sir, don't play politics with the soldiers. For whatever reason you've glommed onto the equivalent of the Democratic mantra of the last 2 years..."We support the troops!," only now you, like them, have turned on the mission.

The same day you want it made clear how much you support them, you sponsor a resolution which announces opposition to the plan--the commanding General of which--you unanimously confirmed on the same day as well. When that General was asked his opinion of the proposed resolutions floating around the Senate chambers in terms of their effects on morale in the combat zone, he gave you a direct answer. Too bad if you didn't like it.

Yes, we definitely ought to leave the politics to you. Because that, it seems, is all the 'upper' house is capable of.

You disagree with the mission, but you'll unanimously confirm the man who helped put the plan together and implement it while at the same time pompously pronouncing your support for the troops even while ignoring that same man's testimony as to your resolutions effects on said troops.

Politics, indeed.