I’ve always had mixed feelings about Chuck Hagel, since he started his criticism of Iraq policy back in 2002. He seems to be grounded in reality, unlike many of his Republican colleagues, but he’s also the staunchest supporter of Bush’s agenda in the Senate. On Sunday morning talk shows and in op-ed columns, Chuck Hagel has never been afraid to use strong rhetoric in opposition to the war in Iraq. But at the same time, he never took a stand in the Senate. He voted against Levin-Reid, which called for a phased withdrawal, and then came out several weeks later for phased withdrawal.
But Hagel’s actions in the Senate lately have been a little bit different, using forceful language in a Senate hearing with Condoleeza Rice. Now, he is co-sponsoring, with Democrats Joe Biden and Carl Levin, a resolution opposing the escalation of the war in Iraq:
“I will do everything I can to stop the president’s policy as he outlined it Wednesday night,” said Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican and potential 2008 presidential candidate, who joined Democrats at a press conference on the resolution. “I think it is dangerously irresponsible,” Hagel said.
Like I’ve said before, this is beyond politics. I don’t agree with Chuck Hagel on a whole lot of issues, and will probably never vote for him. But I applaud his efforts, here. Anyone who is opposed to this war in Congress needs to take action, not simply use words. It’s good to see that Chuck Hagel is finally taking action.
Would you really call a non-binding resolution saying that congress is against more troop deployments an action??? Like you said, words mean nothing and action is needed to make a difference.
The only thing this bill will do is make it clear who agrees with the President, and we kind of already know that.
Congress and Democrats have been to wimpy in the last five years to stand up for anything, which is how Bush went into Iraq in the first place.
Unfortunately, even resolutions calling for withdrawal, or cutting off funding for the war, would likely make no difference, in the face of a President who has shown he cares little about public opinion or Congressional oversight.
On the other hand, reinforcing public scrutiny of the President will help to bring this war to an end sooner, rather than later. It may be symbolic, but an overwhelming vote in Congress rebuking the President does send a message. I am absolutely in favor of doing more - but I think you’re right… there’s too much timidity in Congress to force Bush to bring our troops home.