Webb in Salon: A Time for the Senate to Lead

[ginnyinWI]

Feb. 7, 2007 | WASHINGTON -- Winston Churchill once wrote about watching good ideas getting nibbled to death by ducks. Monday night, we saw that phenomenon in action. We had before us the Warner-Levin resolution, a measure that would allow this Congress to speak clearly of its concerns regarding the woeful lack of leadership by the president on an issue that affects our nation and our military people like no other. And the other side -- including some senators who had helped to draft the resolution, and had put their names on it -- punted the ball downfield, rather than giving the people of this country the debate they not only need but are calling for in every public opinion poll.

Quite simply, there is no way, other than through a strong resolution or restrictive language in an appropriations bill, for this body to communicate to this administration that its so-called new strategy is lacking in the most crucial elements that might actually lead to a solution in Iraq. This is not a strategy. It is a one-dimensional tactical adjustment that avoids the elements of a true overarching national strategy. It relies too heavily on our military, while ignoring the overwhelming advice of those with long experience in this region that we must pursue robust diplomacy in order to bring this misguided effort to a conclusion.

There have been allegations by those on the other side that we who take this position are not supporting the troops. I would submit that the best way to support the troops is for this administration to outline, and pursue, a comprehensive strategy that includes the diplomatic measures that will be essential to ending our involvement.

During the Vietnam War our military killed more than a million enemy soldiers -- enemy soldiers -- by the official count of the present Hanoi government. Actually, the count is 1.4 million soldiers. But without a clear strategy and adept diplomacy, this was not enough. And from the very beginning in Iraq, this administration has consciously neglected its proper diplomatic duties. It has attempted to frame the debate over Iraq's future as one of military action on the one hand and a set of vague guidelines to the Iraqi government on the other, as if the rest of the region were somehow not crucial to the eventual outcome. This is in and of itself a recipe for continued violence, and for American failure in Iraq.

rest of article: http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/02/07/webb/