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Politics

Dissenters walk fine line

By WES ALLISON
Published February 15, 2007

WASHINGTON - They rolled themselves in the armor of conservative warriors like Dick Armey and George Will. They plated themselves with praise for President Bush and his commitment to the war on terror. And they attacked Democrats for forcing debate on a narrow, toothless resolution condemning the president's latest strategy for Iraq.

Then they argued fervently in favor of it.

On the second day of the partisan debate over a resolution opposing Bush's plans to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq, a dozen Republicans rose to support it.

With most of their Republican colleagues dismissing the nonbinding resolution as giving comfort to the insurgents fighting U.S. troops, each GOP dissenter burnished his conservative bona fides as he spoke in favor of the Democrats' plan.

Each said he was neither an enemy nor a Democratic sympathizer.

But each said the current state of Iraq had forced him to break ranks.

"Despite the incredible efforts of our brave soldiers, it is clear to me that an increase in American forces alone cannot resolve this conflict," said Rep. Mike Castle, R-Del., who plans to vote for the resolution.

But, he said, "the situation facing our soldiers is extremely complex, and it is unfortunate that the Democratic resolution fails to accurately reflect that reality."

Several Republicans took care to laud the president, even as they condemned his actions. Rep. Howard Coble, R-N.C., expressed his respect and fondness for Bush, but said he thought the administration was "inept at forming a strategy" for stabilizing Iraq, then questioned if "there was ever a strategy in place."

Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., reached for the conservative's favorite weapon: the cost, which is nearing $500-billion.

"There is nothing fiscally conservative about this war. Most of what we have spent has been purely foreign aid in nature: rebuilding Iraq's infrastructure, giving free medical care ... and on and on.

"Our Constitution does not give us the authority to run another country."

The dissenters, led by Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., who represents Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, were given an hour to make their case for the resolution in five-minute segments. Each was followed by a Republican opponent, and none was gentle.

"The question we have to ask is: Whose side are you on?" said Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who helped lead opposition to the resolution.

Her turn came after Rep. Phil English, R-Pa., who criticized Democrats for not allowing the Republicans to offer an alternate resolution. But English also said he supported the resolution because the "sectarian violence is out of control," and the Iraqis don't want U.S. troops there.

"Are you on the side of winning?" Blackburn asked. "Are you on the side of freedom? Or are you on the side of allowing the terrorists to get the upper hand?"

As Rep. Ric Keller of Orlando can attest, it is not easy to swim upstream. After he expressed concern over the troop surge when the president announced it last month, an Orlando radio station that carries conservative commentator Rush Limbaugh's show ran Keller's comments over and over and over.

A staunch conservative, Keller wasn't used to this. Calls to his office ran 90 to 2 against him. But Wednesday found him still among the GOP dissenters, supporting the resolution.

"Some argue that we should support President Bush's decision. I like and respect President Bush. I want him to succeed," Keller said on the House floor. "Three years ago, I could have voted in favor of this surge. But the situation ... is very different than it was three years ago."

Afterward, at his office, Keller said "it definitely takes a gut check to give that speech."

"You're trying to balance your constituents and good conscious on one hand, vs. bucking your president and party leaders," he said. "But I believed my constituents deserved my best judgment."

The debate resumes today, with a vote on the resolution scheduled for Friday. It is expected to pass overwhelming, with most Democrats and as many as 30 Republican supporting it.

Ten Republicans joined Jones in speaking during the one-hour block Wednesday, and another spoke on his own. Several other Republicans had called his office to request time to speak, Jones said, but they never showed up.

Wes Allison can be reached at allison@sptimes.com or 202463-0577.

Fast Facts:

Text of the House resolution

"Congress and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States armed forces who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq; and Congress disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq."

[Last modified February 15, 2007, 05:22:06]