Webloggin » Help Shut Down The Warner And Biden Resolutions on Iraq

Senator John Coleman appeared on Hugh Hewitt’s radio program last night to try and drum up support for John Warner’s resolution on Iraq that is being proposed as an alternative to the resolution introduced Senator Joe Biden. Instead of support however the Senator got an earful from Hewitt who correctly called this bill for what it is; one that sends a message to the enemy that they can win the War in Iraq if they simply wait it out long enough for us to pullout.

This resolution is a non-binding vote of no confidence regardless of what John Coleman or any one else tells you. Even Gen. Petraeus who is the new Commander in Iraq said that it would send the wrong message to the terrorists if the Senate passes this resolution.

Even the Washington Post got this one right in an editorial published this morning.

ON TUESDAY nearly every member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee warmly endorsed Lt. Gen. David H. Petraeus, the new U.S. commander in Iraq, and a number wished him success or “Godspeed” in his mission. Yesterday some of the same senators voted for a resolution that opposes the increase of troops for Gen. Petraeus’s command — even though the general testified that he could not accomplish his mission without the additional forces and hinted that such a resolution could encourage the enemy. Such is the muddle of Congress on Iraq: A majority may soon go on record opposing the new offensive in Baghdad even while encouraging the commander who leads it. - Washington Post

General Petraeus ought to know a bit about this as he is the most successful commander we have had in Iraq to date. But Mr. Coleman would not be deterred. He urged Hewitt’s listeners to read the text of the resolution; which is exactly what I tried to do. Unfortunately the bill is not available yet, perhaps today. But I believe we don’t need to read the bill to understand how the enemy at home interprets it, i.e. The United States Media as led by the left.

Think Progress: BREAKING: Sen. John Warner To Introduce Resolution Opposing Iraq Escalation - Sen. John Warner (R-VA) will introduce a resolution today “making clear that he does not support the President on increasing the troop levels in Iraq” and calling escalation “a mistake,” CNN’s Dana Bash reports. Warner’s resolution will be cosponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Ben Nelson (D-NE).

This doesn’t sound too encouraging. Any resolution that doesn’t give Congressional support for the new commander, in lieu of an alternative plan, will simply act to undermine the mission.

You can voice your protest here by signing an online petition against the Warner resolution. Make your voice be heard. This country can not afford to let Congress lead us into another failure.

Via Hugh Hewitt:

Take the pledge. This is the temporary site. The full-service site will be up soon.

If you are a blogger who has taken the pledge and linked to the site, please send me a note so I can add your support here.

I interviewed Tony Snow at the top of the program today, and Senator Norm Coleman is scheduled in hour two.

After you have taken the pledge, please call Senator McConnell’s office and urge a filibuster of Senator Biden’s and Senator Warner’s resolutions.

Senator McConnell’s office number is (202) 224-2541. The capitol switchboard is 202-225-3121. Senator McConnell’s e-mail is here.

Yesterday General Petraeus testified that the Biden/Warner resolutions and those like them encourage the enemy.

What does it mean, “to encourage the enemy?”

It means that the enemy gathers will and strength from the prospect of a collapsing political will to seek victory in Iraq and stability in the region.

With that additional strength and will the enemy redoubles and retriples efforts to kill American soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

In short, it means that more Americans will die.

If there is ever an issue for which a filibuster is obviously called, it is such a resolution, especially in the aftermath of such testimony.

Either the Republicans believe General Petraeus, or they don’t. These are not a “non-binding” resolutions in the sense that they have no consequences. Either of them will have terrible consequences.

Don’t believe me. Believe General Petraeus.

Also :

Senator Coleman is aleady committed to rethinking the Warner resolution. Please contact Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) to encourage them to do the same.

Senator Collins’ phone number: (202) 224-2523. She can be e-mailed here.

Senator Smith’s phone number: (202) 224-3753. He can be e-mailed here.