Non-binding resolution on Iraq intellectually dishonest?
Earlier this month Senator John McCain, a long advocate of a troop surge in Iraq (my blog on the issue), called those who supported a non-binding resolution disagreeing with the surge “intellectually dishonest.” He also had this to say about the vote:
I do believe that if you really believe that this is doomed to failure and is going to cost American lives, then you should do what’s necessary to prevent it from happening rather than a vote of ‘disapproval…This is a vote of no confidence in both the mission and the troops who are going over there.
While I believe that McCain went too far when stating that this resolution was a “vote of no confidence in both the mission and the troops,” I do sympathize with much of what he expressed. His comments further highlight the growing role that partisan politics is playing in the debate on Iraq.
Fearing the ‘weak on defense’ label, it is apparent that the Democrats in Congress are unwilling to stand up for what they claim to believe. If this troop surge is in fact a mistake, and if the party truly believes that it is doomed to failure, logic tells us that they should do whatever is necessary to end this failed policy. With the exception of a few Congressman, the Democratic party has failed to heed to call of the voters in November and are in fact being ‘intellectually dishonest’ as McCain claims.
The ghost of Vietnam is hanging over the heads of the Democratic party in Congress. It was not long ago that the parties decision to use the ‘purse strings’ to end an unpopular war in Vietnam tattooed the idea in the minds of many Americans that the democratic party is weak on defense.
I am not calling for the Democrats to push for an immediate withdrawal (I am not in favor of one), I am simply troubled by their decision to push for this non-binding resolution. Such a resolution is not a viable option when seeking to win the approval of the nation, especially when the resolution directly contradicts the moral stance you claim to be taking in regards to the ongoing conflict.
If the Democratic party (and some in the Republican party) is truly concerned about this escalation, they are morally obligated to act and accept the political consequences that result from such action. 21.500 soldiers being sent into the heart of a civil war deserve more courageous actions from this Congress; both the Democratic majority and the Republicans who disagree with the escalation.