Daschle: Dems Will Buck Bush on Iraq Attack

NewsMax.com ^ | 12/07/01 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Sen. Majority Leader Tom Daschle said Thursday he expected Democrats to oppose President Bush if Bush decides to go after Iraq's Saddam Hussein, who many terrorism experts believe financed and helped train hijackers for Osama bin Laden's 9/11 attacks on the U.S.

Daschle, appearing on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," predicted that Democrats would publicly turn against the president as soon as they disagreed with his management of the war effort.

ALAN COLMES: You've been very supportive of the president and the way this war's being conducted. At what point do you think, could you see Democrats taking issue with some of the way the war might be conducted? For example, if there's a foray into Iraq or expansion of the war, can you see a time when there's less agreement on Capitol Hill?

DASCHLE: Oh, absolutely. Obviously, we got into quite a bit of disagreement about foreign policy last summer. But that is because we disagreed. Right now I think the administration is doing the kind of job that warrants agreement, that warrants support. (End of Excerpt)

But despite his clear statement that he would "absolutely" oppose any foray into Iraq, moments later the top Democrat seemed to hedge his bets.

COLMES: If they go after Saddam Hussein, if that's the next step, will you be against that? Will there be more dissention about that?

DASCHLE: Well, I don't want to get into hypothetical situations at this point, Alan. I don't think it's very productive. Obviously we're going to take each call one at a time. We'll make our decisions - support those that we can support and oppose those that we're going to be required to oppose.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

Bush Administration
DNC

[Djarum]

They won't oppose evidence.

[nopardons]

They might. sigh

[Peach]

The Wall Street Journal called him President Daschle last week and it's gone to his head.

[mbb bill]

Good ring, dashole and sadam!!

[eclectic]

We'll make our decisions - support those that we can support and oppose those that we're going to be required to oppose.

Desperate attempt at power grab from a losing party

[KQQL]

good , finally rats show their color.... I say this is a good reason to go after Sadman and destroy the Rats at home too.

[Real Cynic No More]

With dim Lieberman being the strongest proponent of going after Iraq, it's gonna be interesting!

[abclily]

Daschle has been doing a lot of 'bucking up' lately. But the Republicans just keep on keeping on in spite of him. Daschle needs to adopt some statesmanship, or he is going to be left in the dust.

[johniegrad]

This is a great time to begin your 2004 campaign, Tommy. Stock up on phone books and just continue to talk. People will draw their own conclusions. You could possibly pull an All-Gone and lose your home state. Please run in 2004, please, please!!!

[Oldeconomybuyer]

100% of the democratic leadership and only a handful of senate democrats supported the Gulf War Resolution in 1991, yet many bitch today about not finishing off Saddam when we had him in our gunsights. I suspect Daschel and his pals will poll their base to figure out where to oppose the President.

[PJ-Comix]

Lieberman was on Fox last night and supported an attack on Iraq. Or did I hear him wrong?

[wita]

Judging by letters to the editor, in the Rapid City Journal, tommy two tongues is right on track for another landslide victory in 2004. They are so proud of their native son. Why he visits every county in the state, every year, and holds such a powerful position in washington, and can be counted on to "bring home the bacon", that it would be plain un-american not to re-elect him, wouldn't it? Rhetorical question.

People who know where their bread is buttered, know, that a giveaway farm bill is far more important than an economic stimulus package, with tax breaks for the rich. Just ask the senators from ND, SD, Minn, and probably NE.

[Bogie]

You heard right. Sounded like he was pushing for it.

[leprechaun9]

Senator Dasshole always says he supports the president, bi-partianship, etc, yada yada yada.

To hold a leadership position in the democRAT party, your very core must be consumed, and driven by, the politics of FEAR, DIVISION and HATRED!

[PJ-Comix]

You heard right. Sounded like he was pushing for it.

I think that pretty well knocks Lieberman out of contention for Demmycrat nomination in 2004. I wonder what Hillary's opinion of this is?

[VA Advogado]

And their opposition will fail, just like it did yesterday when they sided with the terrorists over Ashcroft.

[kattracks]

wonder what Hillary's opinion of this is?

hillary! will take a poll before she makes a comment.

[BARGE]

The Dems will support anyone who is an enemy of Bush/America.

[mewzilla]

Wonder what the Iraquis have on Daschle...