Senate gridlocks on Iraq war resolution

For some, an uncomfortable vote
Democrats seemed eager to force Republicans into votes that might prove politically troublesome.

“They are torn between their president’s policy and the wishes of the constituents, but vote they must,” said Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, head of the Senate Democrats’ campaign committee.

But Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said Democrats, too, were caught in a political squeeze play. He said the alternative measure pledging not to cut off funds for the troops would have drawn as many as 75 votes, but accused Reid of blocking it to protect his rank and file.

“If you have this vote, the left, the radical Democratic left, would eat every Democratic presidential candidate alive,” Graham said.

Democrats in both the House and Senate have said the nonbinding measures would be only the first attempt to force a shift in Bush’s war policies.

More maneuvering to come
In the Senate, Reid has told lawmakers he will turn anti-terrorism legislation into a forum for debate over the war. He has met privately in recent days with fellow Democrats as the leadership plans its next move.

“The Senate will keep fighting to force President Bush to change course,” Reid said at a news conference after the vote.

In the House, Democrats have said they will attempt to place restrictions on Bush’s request for an additional $93 billion for the military in an effort to make it impossible for him to deploy all 21,500 additional troops.

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., has described a series of provisions that would require the Pentagon to meet certain standards for training and equipping the troops, and for making sure they have enough time at home between deployments.

Murtha and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said these provisions were designed to protect the troops.

Republicans argued the effect would be to deny troops needed reinforcements and are expected to try to block the restrictions.

In the Senate, the seven Republicans who voted to advance the measure were Norm Coleman of Minnesota, Susan Collins of Maine, Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, Gordon Smith of Oregon, Olympia Snowe of Maine, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania and John Warner of Virginia. All but Snowe and Specter could face the voters in 2008.

Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, sided with Republicans on the vote.

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