Posted on 09/24/2002 3:42:20 PM PDT by PhiKapMom
Dems Wary of Gore Criticism of Bush
By DAVID ESPO
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Prominent Democrats stepped gingerly Tuesday around former Vice President Al Gore's criticism of President Bush's policy on Iraq, and at least one House candidate hastened to disagree.
Gore's vice presidential running mate of two years ago, Sen. Joseph Lieberman, said he did not agree that action against Iraq could detract from the overall fight against terrorism.
``I respectfully disagree with that part of it,'' said Lieberman, D-Conn. ``I am confident the American military can do, and will do, both at once.''
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., said he, like Gore, had ``raised the questions, what will it do to our international partnerships, what effect will it have on the war on terrorism, what does a pre-emptive strike mean for other countries, does it set the wrong example?''
Some Democrats opted for silence on the subject.
Terry McAuliffe, national chairman of the Democratic Party, said through an aide he would have no comment.
And House Democratic Leader Dick Gephardt offered no immediate response.
In remarks delivered Monday in San Francisco, Gore said he was concerned that ``the policy we are presently following with respect to Iraq has the potential to seriously damage our ability to win the war against terrorism and to weaken our ability to lead the world in this new century.''
The former vice president spoke as Democratic congressional leaders were seeking agreement with their GOP counterparts and the White House on legislation that would authorize President Bush to use force to move against Saddam Hussein and any Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
A vote on the legislation is likely by next week, and overwhelming bipartisan approval is expected in both the House and Senate.
With Gore campaigning for Democrats in New Mexico for two days this week, one congressional candidate in the state, John Arthur Smith, distanced himself from the former vice president's remarks.
Smith ``is supporting President Bush. He's the commander in chief. If John Arthur Smith were a sitting member of Congress he would ... support President Bush,'' said a spokesman, Tony Bawidamann.
Smith is one of several Democrats seeking election in Southern and Western districts this fall where candidates often emphasize their differences with national party leaders on issues - and where support for Bush is particularly strong.
Some strategists said Gore's remarks could underscore voters' doubts about the national party six weeks before the midterm elections.
But others said they doubted the remarks would have much of an impact - particularly since Congress is likely to give Bush the authority he seeks within a matter of days.
Gore was in the minority among Senate Democrats in 1991 when he voted to give then-President Bush authorization to use force to free Kuwait and its oil fields from an invading Iraqi army.
In that case, he said, Bush waited until after the midterm elections to seek congressional authorization. Many Democrats have expressed similar sentiments, but with Bush calling for congressional support, Gephardt and Daschle decided the wiser course was to vote before November.
Gore strongly suggested that politics was playing a role in Bush's request - speaking out at a time when the party's leaders are trying to shift the public's attention away from Iraq toward economic issues.
``Rather than making efforts to dispel concern at home and abroad about the role of politics in the timing of his policy, the president is publicly taunting Democrats with the political consequences of a `no vote,'' the former vice president said.
09/24/02 18:16 EDT
The copyeditor in me sees no need for that extraneous part.
This from the man who based how he would vote on the Gulf War on which leader would give him the most time to speak.
Thank God, no!
Chamberlin was the leader of the UK.
Gore is just a fat, bitter loser.......and that is all he will ever be!!!!!!!!!!
...for the Dem nomination, that is.
Translation: Al Gore just p*ssed on the third rail. He's f***ed.
Fire Democrats, hire Republicans !!
GWB Is The Man !!
Snuff Saddam, NOW !!
Death To all Tyrant's !!
The Second Amendment...
America's Original Homeland Security !!
Freedom Is Worth Fighting For !!
Molon Labe !!
Huang quote of the week ping!
This was a beaut of a Gotcha Again Gore! Charles Krauthammer said, Gore still hasn't learned. Bill Sammon said Gore still hasn't figured out how easy it is for reporters to catch him when he lies.
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