Seven Republican Senators, including Chuck Hagel, write a letter to the Senate leadership in mock outrage that the vote on the Iraq resolution was blocked. Of course, five of these Senators, including Chuck Hagel, voted to block debate on that resolution.
They now claim that it was because of partisan gamesmanship on the part of both leaders. This is false on its face. McConnell expressed his purpose quite clearly – to block a vote that he claimed would “embolden the enemy.” The Democrats have been, in fact, too willing to provide bipartisan cover for the Republicans. But that’s a battle for another day. For now, let’s focus on this: Republicans blocked debate on the resolution. They own the “surge” now. They can try hard to hide behind rhetoric and doublespeak, but in the end, they were weak.
Hagel, Warner, and the rest of the Republicans who signed this letter, don’t deserve any credit for their words. Each and every Republican who signed that letter voted for the war in Iraq. Five of the Republicans voted to block debate on a toothless non-binding resolutions. None of the Republicans want our troops to come home yet, despite what they may claim.
The debate will happen. That much is clear. How far the Democrats are willing to take their mandate for change will go a long way toward determining an end to this disaster of a war.
Here is an e-mail exchange I have had with Hagel’s office:
Senator Hagel:
For once I believed that your vote would match your rhetoric. I should have known better. How could you strongly defend your resolution to stop the Iraq troop escalation, appear on numerous news shows, then vote against the resolution? I would appreciate an explanation. I’m not very surprised as you vote as the Bush administration wishes more than any other senator. For some reason I hoped this time would be different. Since most of your Republican constituents consider you “liberal” because you spoke out, but are too ignorant or lazy to realize you always vote with Bush, I hope your desire to sell shoes comes true in 2008.
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Hagel’s Response:
Thank you for contacting me regarding the procedural vote on the Iraq War Resolution that occurred in the Senate on February 5th. I appreciate hearing your concerns and recognize that the Senate’s procedural maneuvers can be difficult to follow.
As I have said many times, the most important and divisive issue facing our country today is the war in Iraq. The Senate must have a debate on the war in Iraq. I have worked with my colleagues to craft a resolution that puts the Senate on record opposing the President’s decision to send as many as 50,000 additional U.S. troops in Iraq. I intend to see that there is a vote on this resolution.
I voted with the Republican Minority on February 5th to protect the rights of the minority to offer alternative resolutions. I have always said that there should be a full, fair and open debate about the U.S. policy in Iraq. The Majority Party, the Democrats, should not be able to dictate to the Minority Party, the Republicans, what resolutions will be offered and the number of those resolutions. That is unfair and wrong. This issue has nothing to do with my position on the Iraq war. It is a procedural issue. All 100 Senators must express themselves on whether they support the President’s military escalation in Iraq or not. The American people deserve and expect to know where their Senators stand on this issue. I am extremely frustrated that our Senate Leadership has failed to find a compromise which would permit a full, fair and open debate for both the Majority and the Minority to go forward in the Senate.
This week, I joined six of my Republican colleagues in sending a letter to the Senate’s Leaders informing them that “the current stalemate is unacceptable to us and to the people of this country” and that “we strongly believe that the Senate should be allowed to work its will on our resolution as well as the concepts brought forward by other Senators.” Attached is a copy of that letter. We will keep working until the Senate goes on record on this issue.
Best Wishes,
Senator Chuck Hagel
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Senator, this letter reeks of hypocrisy. The Republicans have allowed virtually no participation by Democrats in introducing legislation and amendments for the past 4 years. This is a non-binding bi-partisan resolution that deserves an up or down vote. Stop hiding behind procedural moves. Vote on this resolution, then consider others if you must. It’s clear that you and your party are trying to protect the Bush administration and the Republican party by not requiring your party’s members to either vote against the desires of the President or against the will of the majority of the people. We both understand how the Senate works. Once again there is a disconnect between your votes and your speeches.