Trent Lott Suggests He Might Oppose Iraq Escalation
Minority Whip Trent Lott says he may oppose a troop escalation in Iraq. Details here.
If you take Democrat opposition and couple it with clear and mounting signs of unease it’s clear that if President George Bush does come out for a “surge” — a political protection word to avoid at all costs using the alarming word “escalate” — in Iraq, any policy Bush puts into place could be on borrowed time and enjoy shaky support.
This would present a situation quite different from the Vietnam War. The Democratic party itself was split during that war but many Republicans had supported it. Today both parties are now seemingly moving to positions where they want to curtail the U.S. role. It’s clear that those who wrote obituaries on the death of neocons’ political influence perhaps wrote them too quickly. Neocon influence appears on the ascent again in the White House, this time putting the White House on a possible political collision course with other segments of the GOP (particularly those segments facing re-election in 2008).
But people need to take a deep breath, as well. Will Lott’s hint translate into actual action when the political moment of truth comes? Or will he support it while expressing reservations? Does it truly undescore political storm clouds gathering as Bush prepares to tell the nation that after an exhaustive, serious, stand-back consideration and weighing of all options (akin to O.J. Simpson saying he’s looking for his wife’s real killers) he is planning to send more troops as short term-fix?
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6 Responses to “Trent Lott Suggests He Might Oppose Iraq Escalation”
Hopefully any new ‘surge’ troops won’t be types like this.. (see link). Talk about counterproductive…
http://minor-ripper.blogspot.com/2006/12/winning-hearts-and-minds-part-three.html
Lott and the whole lot of Republicans (and Independents, Mr. Lieberman) risk it all if they cling to Bush’s coattails. We’re taking note and we’re taking names. Those who want to continue the disastrous policies of the neocons can start packing their bags. It won’t be soon enough.
If the Republican congress actually disagrees with a Republican president on such a susbantive issue, and one where the President looks like he’s willing to fight (unlike imigration) then that will truely be the death of the idea of a single-sided permenant Republican majority in the near future which some powerful people still dream of. There might be some horse trading, but I bet it’ll all be behind closed doors.
“Will Lott’s hint translate into actual action when the political moment of truth comes?” No, I believe this is a gambit to get some consession(s) from the Party.
“Or will he support it while expressing reservations?” Depends if he gets his consessions I’d think.
I saw this interview. Matthews basically had to sit on Lott to pin him down. Then he finally came out and said “I might”. It wasn’t exactly earth-shattering.
But the truth is the GOP is steaming mad at Bush for mismanaging the war and for firing Rummy after the election. How many lost their seats in Congress because their voting records sided with the president 90+% of the time???? For a while he maintained party discipline with Tom Delay and with Frist, his handpicked successor for Lott. He still raised money and made over 100 campaign appearances (some behind closed doors with a small,select, group of rich donors). Now the GOP congressmen have nothing to lose by voting their conciences.
Lott, in particular, remembers the president’s inaction in Katrina, and Bush’s lack of loyalty after Lott made his segregation gaffe at Strom’s going away party. It aint gonna be pretty- it will be every man for himself on Capitol Hill. I hope George Bush enjoys his lame duckhood.
This Trent… WHO? If he disagrees with the President, he must not be very important and not very bright.