Warner, Levin, Reid and Hagel v. Bush

Warner, Levin, Reid and Hagel v. Bush –updated below–

Well, Molly,
it\’s not perfect, not by a long shot, but this one is for
you.

Warner and Levin have crafted bi-partisan language that keeps the number of
anti-escalation resolutions down to a minimum, with some hope of this one actually passing.
After all, you can\’t exactly call Senator John Warner a dove, now can you. No
one has the spine to do that and outlive the hooting.

It now needs 60 votes.

Democratic and Republican opponents of President Bush\’s troop-buildup plan joined forces last night behind the nonbinding resolution with the broadest bipartisan backing: a Republican measure from Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia. Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the shift, hoping to unite a large majority of the Senate and thwart efforts by the White House and GOP leaders to derail any congressional resolution of disapproval of Bush\’s decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500. Although the original Democratic language was popular within the party, it had little appeal among Republicans. Warner\’s proposal drew support from both sides, and it was retooled last night to maximize both Democratic and Republican votes. The revised resolution would express the Senate\’s opposition to the troop increase but would vow to protect funding for the troops. The resolution does not include the Democratic language saying the Bush plan is against the national interest, but it also drops an earlier provision by Warner suggesting Senate support for some additional troops. \”It\’s been a hard work in progress,\” Warner said of the revised resolution, which will require the support of at least 60 senators to prevent a filibuster. After reviewing the Warner revisions, Reid decided the new text would take the place of the original resolution, by Foreign Relations Chairman Joseph R. Biden Jr. (D-Del.), Armed Services Chairman Carl M. Levin (D-Mich.) and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.). He said the Senate will begin debating the resolution next week, provided Democrats and Republicans can agree on a way to overcome some procedural hurdles. … .. Senators Unite On Challenge to Bush\’s Troop Plan

However, even with Warner\’s unparalleled reputation, you still have spineless
pukes like Senator Cornyn refusing to sign on. What in the hell is in the water
in Arizona Texas? Of course, duster is right, and whatever it is it\’s killing Republicans. Barry Goldwater is rolling over in his grave. Twice, when McCain
turns away, too.

But the ability of the senators to come together and craft a compromise, though
anything but perfect, does send a strong signal for future endeavors to cut
funding. It\’s not going to happen in the Senate. Warner demanded to protect
funding for the troops, while Levin and Reid got an agreement that Warner drop
any suggestion of more troops.

This is a Sense of the Senate. In a parliamentary system, the Bush government
would fall. In America, what we now have to move towards is passage of this
legislation and big fat headlines blaring Senate Votes Against Escalation – Sends Bush Crushing Defeat,
numbers of 62 – 36, with 2 not voting, that is, if we get really lucky.

However, the money for the war will continue to roll on. But don\’t worry, Molly, we\’ll keep watch and we\’ll think of you when the job is finally done.

The United States of America is still run by its citizens. The government works for us. Rank imperialism and warmongering are not American traditions or values. We do not need to dominate the world. We want and need to work with other nations. We want to find solutions other than killing people. Not in our name, not with our money, not with our children\’s blood. – Molly Ivins

UPDATE (8:30 a.m. – 2.1.07): Feingold blasts Warner-Levin compromise. Via email…

\”I oppose the weak Warner-Levin resolution as currently written because it misunderstands the situation in Iraq and shortchanges our national security interests. The resolution rejects redeploying U.S. troops and supports moving a misguided military strategy from one part of Iraq to another. The American people have rejected the President\’s Iraq strategy and it\’s time for Congress to end our military involvement in this war. We must redeploy our troops from Iraq so that we can focus on the global threats that face us.\” – Senator Russ Feingold