The White House warned Tuesday that congressional Democrats risk encouraging terrorists and discouraging U.S. troops by voting to oppose President Bush’s Iraq policy.
The warning came as Senate Democrats moved forward with plans for a nonbinding resolution that would express disapproval of the president’s plan to increase troop levels in Iraq.
“Do you understand what possible ramifications are?” White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in reference to the Democrats. “In an age of instant and global communication, what message does it send to the people who are fighting democracy in Iraq? And also what message does it send to the troops?”
Asked by a reporter whether the nonbinding resolution would provide “comfort to the enemy,” Snow replied: “I don’t know.”
“The question … is: Does this send a signal that the United States is divided on the key element of success in Iraq?” Snow said. “In the process of winning in Iraq, you have to have public support. It is helpful to have political unity.”
The resolution, which is being pushed by Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., chairman of the Armed Services Committee, would not cut off funding for U.S. forces in Iraq. Still, Snow said Democrats “need to think it through” before passing such a measure.
Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., called Snow’s remarks “ridiculous.”
“No one in Congress, Democrat or Republican, would put our troops in jeopardy,” he told The Examiner. “The fact is, in November the American people voted for a new direction in Iraq. And President Bush’s plan takes us in the wrong direction.”
