Last night, as the President told the American people that he wants to send more troops to Iraq, his Iraq policy hit rock bottom. The American people are demanding an end to the war, and it has to end for the sake of our national security. But the President just wants to dig us into a deeper hole, by sending more of our brave men and women into Baghdad and Anbar Province.
This war has got to stop, and Congress has the power stop it: the power of the purse. And I’m not just talking about blocking the troop surge here. Using the power of the purse just to stop the troop surge may be better than doing nothing, but if we don’t go beyond that, we will be accepting the status quo. We have to do more.
When I questioned Secretary Rice today at a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing, she refused to accept that our single-minded focus on Iraq is having any impact on our ability to handle other challenges around the world. But her denials don’t change the fact that we’re losing ground in Afghanistan, we’re failing in our efforts with Iran and North Korea, our military is strained, and Al Qaeda is being strengthened – all while this administration has been obsessed with Iraq.
Some have suggested that Congress may have the power to end funding for the war, sure, but they won’t dare to use it because the White House has convinced so many people that to support the troops you have to keep funding the war effort, and keep those Americans in harm’s way. That’s the worst form of political manipulation and a shameful effort to suppress debate on ending the war and bringing our troops home.
U.S. troops in Iraq are incredibly hard working and dedicated. But we do not support those troops by keeping them in a war that has been based on a fraud from the very beginning. That charge is just a scare tactic to keep the war going, no matter what the cost. It’s time for Congress to do now what the President refuses to do – bring those troops out of Iraq.
If you have time, take a look at my op-ed, which ran this morning in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel [link]. The President may be ignoring the will of the American people, but Congress isn’t helpless here. We have the power to stop this war. We can bring the troops home, and do it without putting them in more danger. I am going to be working on this over the next few weeks, and taking a hard look at how to do this right. The President has made his position clear: He won’t stop pouring American soldiers into Iraq, and into harm’s away, until somebody stops him. Congress should use its main power, the power to cut funding, to end this disastrous war. I plan to be on Countdown with Keith Olbermann tonight and I will be looking at your comments so tell me what you think.
Thank you, Senator Feingold, for all your efforts and for addressing us here directly.
you are my hero. I am freightened by what this administration has done and continues to do in our name. He MUST be stopped. I will back you in any way I can. I am going out to a rally for NO! More Troops tonight on a busy intersection at 5pm. Keep up the pressure Russ. I knew we could count on you.
Well Mr. Finegold, I for one want to say that I support stopping funding for this war..I think most of us if not all, realize that the dire prediction for leaving Iraq as portrayed by the administration is really not likely to occur.
Every miinute we stay in those lands further enrages the people who are destined to become our enemies, all over the world.
We need to get out of the middle east and start to worry about our own many, many problems here that need attention and especially alternative energy.
Thanks for your work.
I just hopped over to daily kos and a comment there made me want to write it here, we or I at least am very concerned about Bush expanding this war to Iran….I hope the Dems. will be all over this issue.
Thanks for all of your continuing efforts to put an end to the insanity of the Iraq war, and especially your asking the hard questions of Ms. Rice today. If the American people know the war is an unmitigated disaster and we need to bring our soldiers home, why does the administration persist in thinking they can fool us?
If cutting funding is the only way to make the crazy man in the White House give up his imperialist folly, then Congress should go for it!
Will be watching Olbermann tonight.
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and are doing the job in Afghanistan the U.S. administration pulled out of in an untimely fashion, leaving the Taliban and Al Qaeda in a position of resurgence. The U.S. can’t secure the border of Anbar province with ally Jordan, what idiocy to believe one can secure the border with ‘enemy’ states Syria and Iran, just look at the map!
United Kingdom will not participate in the Iraq policy of escalation, beyond sending extra naval support. Australian Prime Minister John Howard welcomed the new U.S. strategy, adding that Australia has no plans to increase its commitment of 1,400 troops.
Chirac slams Iraq war as boost to terrorism
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence.".Thank you Senator, for all that you have done, attempted, and continue to do.
But, regardless of the political manipulation and consequence of exercising the Power of the Purse, this statement pretty much sums up the prime directive of this administration, not only in regards to Iraq, Afghanistan, but in it’s general disdain and disregard for the laws and the wishes of the people of this nation:
There is only one sure way to stop him, and you and everyone else in the congress know what that is…REMOVAL FROM OFFICE…by whatever means necessary, impeachment, Amendment 25, or forced resignation.
This country cannot heal, or rebuild it’s lost stature in the world community, nor can we atone for the actions of this administration during the past 6 years, until that occurs.
My aunt is a moderate who generally votes for fiscally oriented Republicans, although she voted for Democrats this last cycle. She considers the war a waste of her tax dollars, and I imagine her position would resonate with many Americans. For it indeed is a terrible waste of tax dollars that can be invested in other projects. Approval for the war is low, and our economic standing is compromised as a result of its indefinite duration. I hope my desultory reaction helps, Sen. Feingold, and thank you for addressing this forum.
The crazy man who is our President is intent upon involving us in Somalia and Iran (already at it) and thinks Syria and others would be good targets too. I am for whatever will stop this maniac. Stop the funding, investigate, impeach or any and all other means we have, but stop it NOW.
I will support ANY and ALL Senators and congress persons who address this issue Now and in a no nonsense way.
Mr Bush is going to involve us way beyond our capacity to do anything and then giggle as he hands the mess over to the next President to attempt to solve.
Incidentally, I don’t think it will matter one bit to him if the funding is stopped. He will rant and rave about it, but he will continue to do whatever he wants anyway. He does not care about the will of the people or anything the congress says or does. He will continue along his merry way throwing the entire world into a perilous and unjustified upheaval everywhere.
The needless deaths and destruction will be beyond our ability to grieve for them.
Please continue to speak up and speak out and we will support you and your efforts gladly.
Thank you again for being one of the few voices of reason in our government. Wish you were running for president in 08.
Shirl
I think that there really is only one way to stop this President and that is to impeach him and Cheney.
That said, I do fully support any move Congress makes towards limiting his power by controlling the purse strings.
Thank you for asking some hard questions today of Ms. Rice. It was high time some did.
I know I’m probably too late in weighing in here Senator Feingold, but I do want to agree with all of my brothers and sisters here at this forum in how they have responded to your courage.
I also agree that the only real way to stop this madness is to remove Bush AND Cheney from office. But if we can put the brakes on by stopping funding, you have my full support.
And one last comment. Thank you for saying this:
But we do not support those troops by keeping them in a war that has been based on a fraud from the very beginning.
I am offended by the insinuation of many (including Democrats) that the problem now rests with the unwillingness of the Iraqi people to respond appropriately. They did not ask us to destroy their home and country. To blame them now for the chaos is unconsionable. We invaded another country without provocation and now have to live with the consequences of that incredibly failed policy. We cannot sooth our guilt by blaming the Iraqis.
Please reconsider, be OUR candidate for President, a truly liberal, progressive, HUMANIST candidate for President.
Thanks again for speaking the truth. As one of your constituents, you make me proud to reside in WI.
said.
With respect to possible war with Iran, Congress has more than just the power of the purse: constitutionally, Congress also controls the power to make war. Congress has delegated war-making powers to a President who has now lost the confidence of Congress. It seems prudent to withdraw that delegated power from this President, and to explicitly declare unauthorized orders in violation of this to be illegal, obligating officers to refuse them.
I hope that this option is receiving serious consideration.
to put an end to my sig line.
Thank you.
Make it so.
In other words Senator, less talk, more action. Time is growing short.
losing ground in Afghanistan, we’re failing in our efforts with Iran and North Korea, our military is strained, and Al Qaeda is being strengthened – all while this administration has been obsessed with Iraq.
Senator, with all due respect either you are naive or not acknowledging reality.
Afghanistan was never within your grasp to “lose ground”, you redeployed and dragged your NATO allies, like Canada in to try and stabalize and put our daughters and sons in harms way. Where did you redeploy to? Iraq. The circle keeps rolling around. Reality-based discussion would be nice Senator. We here at BooTrib take pride in our ability to research items and provide analysis, which this article full of platitudes and HUZZAH’s lacks.
Furthermore, what “efforts” are you failing at with Iran? Please acknowledge reality that war with Iran is yours to stop and yours alone. Bush said he was going to war last night. The failure of this diary to acknowledge that grave and present danger to the world is negligent at its best. We are not children or fundraising machines. We can cheer heros while acknowledging faults and asking for better. But in reality, if nothing is done and the propaganda continues, the only failing would be the Democrats: we expect fascism out of the neocons and blind obedience from Republicans.
Finally, Al Qaeda.
What do you think about the Somalia attacks? What about Pakistan? And the book by Bernard Henri Levy that traced Daniel Pearl’s murder to the top of Pakistani ISI? A “key” Bush ally. I think we here at BooTrib are well versed in the real world outside of Beltway politics. I wonder what Senator Wellstone’s response to this latest escalation of an illegal war would be?
You are a senior ranking Democrat. Specifics please. When you address your constituents on the blogs I would expect a fully formed address vs. a rally round the flag (donkey version) diary.
But that’s just my opinion. I’m just a second-class Canadian. I could be wrong.
Prove me wrong. Prove the world wrong. It’s in your hands.
actually, taking a look at the comments and recommends of this diary, I guess I was wrong in my asessment. Oh well. Has happened before. I should stick to international news.
I agree with this in theory: “Congress has the power stop it.”
But in practice? I imagine it playing out in this horrible fashion.
Congress cuts off funding. Bush sends more troops anyway. He sends some media people too, and soon there are pictures of guys with armor falling off them, holes in their clothes, looking gaunt, and public sentiment will say my gosh, give our troops more money!
I hope that doesn’t happen, but I just don’t think Bush is going to be deterred by any laws on the books. He only abides by the law of the jungle, i.e., the most powerful wins.
I fear a horrific constitutional showdown is brewing. The Democrats will need allies beyond the Congress and Senate to win this one, UNLESS you start impeachment proceedings asap!
We are impatient with watching the privileged elite of Washington blather about whether the president took responsibility for ‘mistakes that were made.’ I know it’s gotten to the point where I can’t watch any more.
We are hungry for someone with the truth-telling courage of Malcolm X: “… if we are going to be respected as human beings, we should reserve the right to defend ourselves by whatever means necessary. This is recognized and accepted in any civilized society.”
Congress has the tools to end this insanity, use them. I know this is antithetical to the delicacy of Senatorial behavior, but where are the men in white coats?
I’m grateful for all you do within this civilized society, but am personally a bit more primitive. Thanks for keeping in touch.
Russ, you are the man, no doubt about it. Keep up the great work and please reconsider running in ’08, you are the only candidate that would get me jazzed.
Yes Senator, this is the main reason why things are going sour in other parts of the world foreign-policy wise.