Clinton Sees the Road Ahead
04 May 2007 8:01 am by Taylor Marsh
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This is very interesting. Senator Clinton is joining Robert C. Byrd in reining
in Mr. Bush. Their target date? They're shooting for October 11, 2007. Why then?
Because that's when the damnable authorization for the Iraq war turns five.
It's a date wherein Clinton and Byrd intend to put an expiration date on the president's
escalating war fetish, so that it can be assured the war is really and finally
put to an end. Because it would demand Bush come back to Congress to reauthorize his actions. We all know Mr. Bush won't do that, so Clinton is joining Byrd to make sure the Iraq war authorization
is finally sunset. They're intent is permanently hemming the president in.
Madam President, I rise to join my colleague and friend, Senator Byrd, to
announce our intention to introduce legislation which proposes that October
11, 2007 — the five year anniversary of the original resolution authorizing
the use of force in Iraq — as the expiration date for that resolution.As Senator Byrd pointed out, the October 11, 2002, authorization to use force
has run its course, and it is time to reverse the failed policies of President
Bush and to end this war as soon as possible.Earlier this week, President Bush vetoed legislation reflecting the will
of the Congress and the American people that would have provided needed funding
for our troops while also changing course in Iraq and beginning to bring our
troops home.I believe this fall is the time to review the Iraq war authorization and
to have a full national debate so the people can be heard. I supported
the Byrd amendment on October 10, 2002, which would have limited the original
authorization to one year and I believe a full reconsideration of the terms
and conditions of that authorization is overdue. This bill would require the
president to do just that. … ..
No doubt some will wonder why the fall and why not now?
The eagerness to end
the Iraq war cannot be overestimated. But Clinton knows where the votes are
today and also knows that Reid and Pelosi are moving hell and earth and quite
a few Blue Dog Dems, not to mention Republicans, to get anything concrete done
and sent back to the president for signing. In fact, we've even got trouble on our side. There's the Murtha –
Obey contingent versus the Hoyer – Blue Dog group; the former wanting to send
the bill back without 100% funding and also making the president come back to
Congress in two months, with the latter willing to give the president 100% of
the money now. With even Democrats divided on the next step post veto, Clinton knows a deauthorization
of the war wouldn't get the votes she needs, because she also needs Republicans
to get the job done. It's just not going to happen today.
So Clinton is joining Byrd with a date that allows for time to play out, patience
to run out and the election to be seen coming straight at some Republicans who
today wouldn't join her if held at gun point. It's going to take all of the
next five months to get the votes needed and to bring her colleagues to their
side.
It may seem like a long way off, but the five year date for authorization of
this disastrous misadventure in Iraq will be here sooner than you think. Come
October it could be quite a dramatic step, especially if Iraq continues to unwind
and the American people grow more and more impatient with Bush's escalation and Republicans propping him up, which is a very good bet.
The pressure is building, but by fall it will have reached the end. Even Republicans
are talking about a September look at where we are in Iraq. Clinton's action warns of a reality yet to come, but most assuredly guaranteed.
Finally, Clinton joining Bryd in no way precludes actions today. But with Murtha and Hoyer factions at odds in the House it's going to be tough going forward. So thinking ahead to when the authorization would be declared at long last dead actually dangles a very long rope in front of the president and the Republicans on which this war can be finally be hung around their collective chickenhawk necks.
