C-Seg; Iraq Resolution React

As we've been reporting on KGOU, the marathon debate on Iraq took the better part of the week in the House of Representatives. Every member was given a chance to voice their opinion, and as Benjamin Shaw reports from Capitol Hill, most of Oklahoma's delegation took that opportunity to speak out before casting their votes. The non-binding resolution is short, less than 100 words, but a lot of time was given over to debate. The measure, disapproving President Bush's surge of 20,000 troops, passed with the support of 17 Republicans who broke rank to vote I. But the Oklahoma delegation divided cleanly along party lines, with the four Republicans voting against the measure. But not Democrat Dan Boren. I rise today in support of our men and women in uniform, and in support of this resolution. Only 230,000 Americans are currently deployed to the Middle East, fighting the war on terrorism. 3,000 of those are from my home state of Oklahoma. Oklahoma City Republican Mary Fallon says having such a debate is worthwhile and acknowledged

that her constituents are worried about the war. But she says the Democrat's resolution is the wrong step at the wrong time. I think it sends the wrong signal to our troops. We are putting their lives on the line that we do not support them if we pass a resolution, even if it's non-binding. Boren rejects Fallon's accusation, saying there may be differences of opinion between him and his Oklahoma colleagues on how to proceed with the war. But when it comes to support for the selfless Americans serving in uniform, we are unanimous. For anyone, and I repeat anyone to suggest anything to the contrary, just distracts from this serious, serious debate. This resolution is not serious. More Republican Tom Kohl called the debate a farce. It's a political ploy rather than a principled position. It's sound and fury that signifies nothing. It's a cruel joke on those who sincerely want to leave Iraq before our mission is finished, and it's a front and a front to those of us who wish to succeed in Iraq.

But in the same five-minute floor speech, Kohl warned that passing the non-binding resolution could have dire implications. Well, Madam Speaker, at a practical level, it would certainly mean that our enemies will know that they have weakened the resolve and will of the American people. They would take this as a lesson and a guide for the future. During her five-minute floor speech, Fallon compared the Iraq conflict to past wars, saying none of them went exactly as planned. What if Congress, during the Valley Forge Winter, had passed a resolution saying it is time to send our troops home, retire General Washington, and go ahead and pay the stamp tax anyway? What if Congress in the spring of 1863 had looked the results of bull run and said, we can't win this, it's a civil war. Forget the idolism about freeing the slaves. What if Congress in 1942 or 1943 had told Franklin Roosevelt to pull out of North Africa and Italy and to give up those silly ideas of liberating France? What would our enemies have thought about America's lack of will? Cheyenne Republican Frank Lucas chose not to speak, but voted against the resolution.

Cole ended his remarks by challenging the Democrats to do something more. And I hope they will have the political courage to act as opposed to just talk, that they will legislate as opposed to just debate. Cole likely will not be disappointed as there's already talk among Democratic leaders in the House about how to legislatively block the troop surge. And in an unusual move, the Senate will work over the weekend, trying to decide if they will debate the newly passed House resolution. For KGOU News, I'm Benjamin Shaw on Capitol Hill.