Can a Congressional Resolution Make Up For a Failed Presidency?
Posted on January 25, 2007
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Some folks are saying that non-binding Congressional resolutions against the war are meaningless. Others say that they are political cover, that is, the Democrats making sure that Republicans “own” the disaster — now and in the future — in the likely event that U.S. involvement in the quagmire is ongoing through election season.
The resolutions under discussion now are an important step to build momentum for future actions that may not yet be politically viable. For those in the “meaningless” camp, would a tough, Get out of Iraq resolution that fails to pass be more meaningful? To first get a bi-partisan resolution (or more than one) with the support of several Republicans seems far more meaningful and likely to produce a future consensus bill that has teeth.
There is another potential outcome of passing a resolution that has not been explored in a real-world application. With such a lack of leadership in the executive, or when the executive branch leads in the wrong direction, there is a need for alternative leadership. Sure, we have a few strong voices in the persons of Chuck Hagel, Nancy Pelosi, Barney Frank, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, but none of them alone trumps a President.
But what if Congress spoke with one voice? If both houses pass a bi-partisan resolution — when all Americans have someone whom they support, ranging from John Warner, Susan Collins, and Chuck Hagel to Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Carl Levin, speaking in one voice — minds will change, and the stay-the-course-surge-plus-up crowd will have absolutely zero support. Well, except for Joe Lieberman.
When we’ve had Presidents in the past with good communication skills and who demonstrated wisdom commensurate with the office they held, we used to talk of the President’s “bully pulpit.” When respected, the President is a person who can lead the country to do what is right and what is necessary.
In the present situation we have a “leader” who lays claim to power, but has squandered any opportunity he may have had to call Americans to act on “the better Angels of our natures.” A congressional resolution is not going to replace that kind of leadership, but it can help direct the needed conversation.
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Can a Congressional Resolution Make Up For a Failed Presidency?…
"Some folks are saying that non-binding Congressional resolutions against the war are meaningless. Others say that they are political cover, that is, the Democrats making sure that Republicans “own” the disaster — now and in the future — i…
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