Weak on Defense

The Democrats rail against Republican suggestions that, as a party, they're weak on Defense. They may have a point: they certainly don't need the Republicans pointing out what is obvious to even the most casual of observers.

The latest proof-statements came yesterday, in no less form than Senate Majority Leader Reid and House Speaker Pelosi. Both took to the microphones, triumphantly extolling the virtues of the pork-laden war funding bill that is doomed to fail with President Bush's veto.

Said Sen. Reid: "We've spoken the words the American people wanted us to speak." He continued, "There must be a change of direction in the war in Iraq, the civil war in Iraq." [News flash Sen. Reid - there is a change, and it's called a "troop surge". It's working, too.]

Said Speaker Pelosi: "This war without end has gone on far too long and we're here to end it."

Before pushing through their respective bills, two key facts were known: (1) the President wanted a clean bill to sign, and (2) he'd veto any bill that wasn't clean. Despite this foreknowledge, both leaders pushed forth, with nothing short of bribes, to attain the majority of votes both needed to pass. To what end? Certain defeat? Certain confrontation with the President?

There is no more serious function of government than the conduct of war. It is not to be entered lightly, and it is not to be treated lightly once entered. This war in Iraq has taken its toll, both in human costs, and in taxpayer burden. But it was entered with the overwhelming support of both Houses of Congress. We cannot reverse time and un-do this fact. As we are in Iraq, and our bravest and finest citizens are in harms way, all Americans owe them a duty. A duty to treat them with the utmost respect, care, and seriousness of purpose.

Instead, we have the key leadership of the Democratic party playing a dangerous political game, with our troops' very lives in the balance. If they were honest, they'd attempt passage of the bill they really want: de-funding of the war. If they were serious, they'd send the President a clean funding bill for signature. They are neither honest, nor serious.

Speaker Pelosi said one other thing yesterday: "The President has to accept that there's a new Congress in town." It may be a new Congress, but these Democrats are as weak on Defense as the majority, as they were as the minority. Unfortunately for our troops, their intransigence now has consequences.