A bad relationship between the White House and Congress is about to get much worse as relations deteriorate daily. The Iraq War is certainly the major disagreements between the two sides. Last week, the U.S. House voted to impose an August 2008 deadline for the return of American troops from Iraq. The U.S. Senate will not pass such a strict bill, but even some Republican Senators predict that President Bush will have to veto legislation imposing some sort of troop deadline.
In response, the President is standing firm and threatening a veto. In his radio address to the nation, the President stated that he wants “a clean bill, without conditions, without restrictions and without pork.” This strong stance puts Capitol Hill Republicans in a tough position of supporting the President and the troops remaining in Iraq, while opposing the views of the majority of Americans.
Some Republicans, like U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) have abandoned the White House completely, and are even raising the specter of impeachment. Hagel was the toast of the Sunday talk shows and the more he criticizes the White House, the more popular he becomes with the anti-Bush media. According to Hagel, “We essentially are ruining our National Guard. We are destroying our Army. We’re destroying our Marine Corps. We can’t sustain this…I will not accept the status quo.” Hagel is considering a presidential bid, as the only anti-war Republican in the race. He will make a decision by the summer.
The anti-war Democrats are close to achieving a majority in the Senate for some sort of troop deadline, which will force a Bush veto. The coming showdown will continue to focus the nation on the unpopular war and make it impossible for congressional Republicans to be able to escape the shadow of Iraq.
Right now, the prospects for Republicans in 2008 are bleak and getting bleaker everyday. Although some will say that the surge policy is working and Iraq is becoming safer, there is still much violence in the country. In fact, many would argue that the American public has passed the point of no return and will not change their anti-war position no matter what happens in Iraq.
A political confrontation over Iraq is inevitable and the American public is decidedly in the Democrats corner on the number issue facing the country today. Republicans can cite economic progress and plenty of other accomplishments, but as long as U.S. military forces are serving in the controversial war, the public will be very receptive to the Democratic message, “Bring home the troops,” which continues to resonate throughout the nation.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 8:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and Noon till 2 p.m. weekdays on several Louisiana radio stations. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
The only anti-war Republican in the race is Ron Paul. Chuck Hagel is not in the race. If Hagel chooses to enter in, there'll be more than one anti-war Republican, but thus far Hagel has said nothing more than, "I'll let you know." Ron Paul, on the other hand, since March 12th, is an official candidate. The other important Iraq-related difference between Hagel and Paul is that, at the end of 2002, Chuck Hagel voted for starting the Iraq War while Ron Paul voted against starting the Iraq War.
Written by Devin Ray Freeman
on 3/28/2007
When we tell the enemy that we will wave the white flag on the first of September of 2008, we have lost the war.
Written by Sid Sanders
on 3/28/2007
Don't let yourself be confused by all the meaningless political rhetoric.
More money and more troops until September 2008 is STAY THE COURSE...nothing has changed.
Written by John Hunter
on 3/27/2007
I recently spoke with a young Army officer that just returned from his 2nd tour of duty in Iraq. He said they are fighting terrorists from all over the region, even blue eyed blond haired Muslim extremists from eastern Europe. The terrorist are from all over and we are fooling ourselves if we think that by setting a date to pull out that the situation will be any more tolerable or get any better. Granted the Iraqi people need to stand up and fight and they need to do it soon. But there are factions in the area that do not want to let that happen. We have Generals and experienced NCO's that can manage a war effort alot better than Congress could ever even dream about doing. Give the troops a chance to win this war. If the Iraqis refuse to stand up, then we pull out...but that's a decision that I can't make, because it's way above my "pay grade" and it's above the pay grade of our Senators and Representatives.
Written by Sid Sanders
on 3/27/2007
"If we pull out now, the terrorists won't attack us on our shores?" What did you call 9-11? Technically so was the attack on the USS Cole and attack on our soverign territory? The first World Trade Center Bombing? What about the Khobar Towers? It was an attack on our troops stationed there. Then their was Black Hawk Down in Somalia. The Embassies overseas. Do I really need to go on? 9-11 was not the beginning. Iraq will not be the end.
Never mind. Bin Laden leader of the movement, not a country, but an ideology, said in the 90's that he would never stop until the Great Satan was dead. Oh, and that was before Bush. And as far as for chasing Bin Laden around the mountains of Afghanistan. tThat would have cost more lives since the terrain gives perfect cover against our advanced technology and it was exactly what they wanted. If he wasn't buried in Tora Bora, he'll surface one day and we will get him. But he is only one of millions who share this ideology.
Written by Sharon
on 3/27/2007
Nobody is saying "pull out now". The deadline is set for September of NEXT YEAR (in the House version). That gives a year and a half for the troops to train Iraqi soldiers to defend themselves and FULLY funds those troops.
And just so you remember sid, the terrorists who attacked us where NOT from Iraq and where not working for Saddam. They where working for Osama. Im not sad Saddam is dead, not in the least. He was a horrible person. Unfortunately, the Iraq war has distracted us from the war on terrorism.
Written by Sid:
on 3/27/2007
If we pull out now, the terrorists won't attack us on our shores? However if we stay and fight, the terrorists will win anyway and attack us on our shores? Why did the terrorists hijack airplanes and attack us on September 11th? We weren't fighting in Iraq or Afganistan?
Written by Sid Sanders
on 3/27/2007
The justifications for war in Iraq were alarmingly false but the pretenses of rational inquiry were swept away by a nation still reeling from terror and rallying behind an administration adroit at manipulation of emotions and flag-waving. Real patriotism required reflection and deep consideration of consequences prior to sending American combat forces into the region but what we got were Freedom Fries. Sentimentalists, revenge-seekers and neocons carried the day and the March to Iraq was unstoppable. Shock and Awe preceeded a Mother Battle for Iraq which was easily won by the 'greatest volunteer fighting force' ever assembled on the planet.
However, the miscalculations of neocons emerged with Abu Ghraib tortures, lapses in securing munitions, disbanding the Iraq army and Bathists, and utter failure to rebuild what the coalition destroyed. Resentment of Americans was simmering just below the surface and the acclaimations of the Conquering President and his Hollow Promises of benefits to a Democratic Iraq were ringing and stinging reminders of 'The Great Satan' which had been imprinted since their births. Indeed, they did "Bring it On!"
No surprise to liberals, 'Democracy in Iraq' resulted in a very theocratic selection. Its elected leaders had an agenda of retribution, much like their liberators who gave a green light and permitted sectarian reprisals, what Mr. Rumsfeld quipped of lawlessness, "Stuff Happens!"
The neocons have shamelessly represented that progress is Iraq has been constant... right up to the November elections when voters indicated that smokescreen wouldn't work any longer. The latest appellation by Mr. Bush is 'troop surge'. No expert on the middle-east believes more militancy will reduce millitancy. Diplomacy, which is the answer of nearly everyone, is absolutely refused by the stalwart Bush.
Anyone who believes Iraq represents the War on Terror rather than just another battlefield, cannot comprehend what damage the Bush Administration has done to American interests. Making permanent bases like Anaconda, compelling the giveaway of Iraq oil to American Oil interests, and taking sides in sectarian civil war are all condemning the US troops to increasing attacks from all sides, wherever the next battlefield may be.
The Iraq campaign should end at 3,300+ dead and 25,000+ wounded, --fully 25% percent of our forces as casualties. Otherwise the tallies will exceed 15,000 killed and 90,000 wounded over the next four years. At that point, Iraq will be predominated by the new Islamic jihadists in a frenzy of revenge and anarchy. When that happens, they'll be over here, because killing us over there wasn't enough.
Kelly Burch
Written by Kelly Burch
on 3/27/2007
You state that Hagel would be the only anti-war Republican running for president. I suggest you look up Ron Paul. He has already decided to run and actually voted against the War from the beginning.
Written by Cliff Smith
on 3/27/2007
Suggest sending Bush, Cheney and their children to 6 months on the front lines in Iraq and then spend 6 months in the hospitals treating wounded soldiers with their blown off limbs and maybe they would not be so anxious about their war effort, especially if it were one of their own. No draft deferments or baeing awol from duty.
A bad relationship between the White House and Congress is about to get much worse as relations deteriorate daily. The Iraq War is certainly the major disagreements between the two sides. Last week, the U.S. House voted to impose an August 2008 deadline for the return of American troops from 
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