Nickles predicts quick vote on Iraq

The Oklahoman ^ | 6 September 2002 | Chris Casteel

[PhiKapMom]

Nickles and Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, said, in seeking lawmakers' support, Bush did not say he would give Congress veto power over his authority.

Bolded in article is mine and I wanted to highlight the statement above by my two Senators. Believe it says it all!

[PhiKapMom]

This article appeared at the top of the front page of our paper this morning! Thought everyone should read just what the real story was about Pres Bush going to Congress!

Support Don Nickles for the next Majority Leader of the Senate and Senator Inhofe to head Armed Services. There are no two finer Senators from a State than these two from Oklahoma IMHO!

[The G Man]

Personally, I think Bush played this beautifully.

First they leak this story about the White House Counsel's Office giving them a legal opinion that they don't need Congressional approval. This sends the Democrats and the media into an uproar demanding Congress be involved ... so what does Bush do? He gives them exactly what they want ... a vote on using force vs Iraq! LOL! With November right around the corner, the Democrats have to either give Bush what he wants or risk getting anhilated at the polls!

Bravo, Mr President!

[realpatriot71]

Inhofe said a public debate was unnecessary.

Of course not! Now, lets all bow, scrape, and lick boot . . .

[Wait4Truth]

Nickles and Inhofe should make every American proud. I really want to see Nickles as the Senate Majority Leader - he is such a strong leader and won't accept the RATS' games like Lott does. And Inhofe? Well, what can I say? He's wonderful. These RATS are going to pay for playing politics with the issue of Iraq. Daschle is a disgrace. And after Pricilla Owen was destroyed yesterday, I think Ron Kirk can say goodbye to any hopes he had in Texas. The President was clearly irate yesterday about Owen and I was really glad to see it. No more gloves, Mr. President!!!

[Wait4Truth]

I think there should be debate but not in public. We elected these people so let them do their job. A public debate just gives grandstanding RATS another opportunity to castigate President Bush for political points. It also gives them too much opportunity to allow classified info to be out in the public domain. If they are behind closed doors, they will make better decisions. TV cameras just make the congressional B-movie actors come forward.

[kjam22]

Nickles said a resolution would give the president options, adding that a full-scale invasion isn't the only action being considered by the administration. "I'm sure the administration wants it as flexible as possible, and I don't want to do one that isn't helpful or puts a lot of qualifications on it," Nickles said. Nickles' comments came a day after the president said he would seek congressional approval to take action against Iraq.

I like Nickles... but what this really translates to is that congress doesn't have the guts to issue a "declaration of war".

[Dog Gone]

With November right around the corner, the Democrats have to either give Bush what he wants or risk getting annihilated at the polls!

Precisely the point I was going to make. In any event, it should help in the election anyway as it will unite the country around the President.

[Semper Paratus]

Forget Enron, Social Security, Prescription drugs, the talk in Congress now, going up to November, will be Iraq and the war on terror.

Pound sand Dasshole.

[kjam22]

I agree the timing is good. And it is no accident. And I think in about late November we'll start an operation that takes about a year. And Bush will be riding high into the campaign season for the 04 election. And none of that will be by coincidence either.

[kjam22]

Here's the only problem with attacking and removing Saddam. There is no way that they can defeat our conventional army. None. So the question becomes will Iraq or some other arab sympathizers have the resources to purchase a nuke from some country that is not so friendly to us. Maybe N. Korea..... and Nuke D.C. with it?

Sometimes when an animal is boxed in with no escape ... it gets dramatically more dangerous. A wild dog might or might not bite you if it has a chance to flee. But if it can't flee.... it will bite given the opportunity.

[BlackRazor]

With November right around the corner, the Democrats have to either give Bush what he wants or risk getting anhilated at the polls!

Not necessarily. Daschle can surely arrange that the hearings are still on-going at the time Congress adjourns on October 11. That way the Dems don't have to go on record with a vote, but can still say that they are carefully debating this serious matter. To paraphrase them: "You know, you can't rush these kinds of things." I would be very surprised if there is actually a vote on this before the election.

[js1138]

For those of my generation, this is called, "Please don't throw me in the briar patch!"

[hchutch]

I agree it will be fast.

A long debate will only focus the public on this issue, and that would hurt the Dems politically.

[mwl1]

Excellent post and of course correct. You should blast post this so that other freepers can learn something.

And, for those who suggest that Daschle can avoid a vote before the midterm elections, they are wrong. He can't, because there is too much media attention riding on this, and, if he were to obstruct, it opens the door to his greatest weakness -- obstructing the president's agenda.

[hchutch]

I want the debate public.

The fact is, it will hurt the Rats either way. The hard left will see those who support the war as caving in. The moderates will see those who oppose war as wimps or worse. The Dems were given enough rope...

[mwl1]

A presidential address to a joint session in late September has a nice ring to it, don't you think?

[Don Carlos]

Nickles and Inhofe, There are no two finer Senators.

Absolutely correct, PKM. Every state needs a pair like these two.

Mid October is a most excellent date to schedule a vote on Iraq. The weasle-wordsmiths will have finally shaddup and go on record. If they support Dubya with their vote, they can't weasle out! If they don't, they can't weasle out! Checkmate!

[mwl1]

Yes. And see related threads on Torricelli. Went left last night in the debate and would not support the president on Iraq... playing with political fire.

[Askel5]

If they are behind closed doors, they will make better decisions.