...of (Democrats in) Congress calling for a report by Gen. Petraeus?
Is it the role of Congress to manage a war? To decide how troops should be rotated? I don't believe so.
Is it the role of Congress to investigate how funds it authorizes are being spent? You betcha.
When it comes to government programs created by Congress, it is up to them to decide whether to change those programs.
I believe when it comes to war Congress has two roles:
- Authorize military action or declare war
- Fund it. Or not.
Thus, if Congress, having authorized war (or not), does not believe it is in America's interest to continue the war as conducted by the Commander in Chief, they need to stop funding it.
Saying that this can't be done without endangering the troops is bullshit. I think if you remove the troops from Iraq, they will be in less danger. We're not talking about taking away their armor (you know, the armor that Bush and Rumsfeld didn't give them).
There is only one candidate for president currently in Congress who has had the balls to vote against funding this war, Dennis Kucinich. Mike Gravel and Bill Richardson have also called for pulling all troops out of Iraq. These are the only candidates for president taking this position.
We know the Democratic leadership can't muster enough votes to end the war. But trying to monkey around with it won't help. This is not a place for pragmatic compromise or tricks to try affecting the conduct of the war. Either take a real position or don't bother.
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