NOT TWO WEEKS AGO, the administration publicly concluded it didn’t need to ask Congress’ permission to attack Iraq. Now, President Bush is poised to pop the question. Capitol Hill should be pleased. For weeks, lawmakers insisted, loudly, that they expect to be part of any decision about Saddam Hussein’s future. Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia decried “an information gap” with the White House and said that “Congress has to be a partner” to the president. Rep. Jim Nussle of Iowa said that “by skirting Congress, the president risks another Vietnam.” And those are just the Republicans.
Democrats have been less circumspect. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle’s spokeswoman said, “The issue is whether the president should seek to obtain the full support of the American people and their elected representatives before sending U.S. troops into combat in Iraq.” Added Washington Rep. Rick Larsen: “Based on what the administration has shared with Congress, I’d say the administration is far short of being able to count on Congress’ support for any action.”
