Bipartisan Cooperation: Maybe There’s Hope
Bipartisanship can work, sometimes. From today’s WaPo …
Democratic and Republican opponents of President Bush’s troop-buildup plan joined forces last night behind the nonbinding resolution with the broadest bipartisan backing: a Republican measure from Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia.
Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the shift, hoping to unite a large majority of the Senate and thwart efforts by the White House and GOP leaders to derail any congressional resolution of disapproval of Bush’s decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500.
Although the original Democratic language was popular within the party, it had little appeal among Republicans. Warner’s proposal drew support from both sides, and it was retooled last night to maximize both Democratic and Republican votes.
Is this the right outcome? I don’t know. But at least they’re moving forward. And I, for one, would say that’s encouraging, and we should probably give those involved — Reid, Warner, and others — our congratulations on what we can only hope is a first step toward broader consensus.
opinions powered by SendLove.to
6 Responses to “Bipartisan Cooperation: Maybe There’s Hope”
I respect the judgment of the Democratic leaders to recognize that working with Warner they can participate in a more powerful statement on behalf of all Americans.
What is the point of a nonbinding resolution? Just another item for Bush to ignore is all I can see.
A good binding resolution would be impeach both Bush and Cheney. Then we can start withdrawing from Iraq and we wouldn’t have to worry about attacking Iran.
Polling shows a majority of Americans already support impeaching Bush if he wiretapped an American citizen without a judge’s approval or if he lied about the reasons for going to Iraq.
Yes, this non-binding resolution is a great thing. Once the Senators have finished drafting this legislation, they plan to get to work on a non-flushing toilet. After that, they go on to a non-working government…oops. That was the 109th Congress. Sorry. Been done already.
“What is the point of a nonbinding resolution? Just another item for Bush to ignore is all I can see.”
Well, it’s just a fig leave for the Senate. Not worth wasting much energy in discussing it, right.
I like the spirit of bipartisanship that seems to be coming back to the Senate- but I’m not so sure that I’m crazy about the results. A non-binding resolution is one thing, but a watered-down non-binding resolution with all language critical of the president removed is another.