As the Senate prepares a non-binding resolution against Bush's escalation plan, the White House is gearing up to fight it. They're worried about the message. Here's an idea for the White House: worry less about the battle over a resolution in the Senate, worry more about the actual war in Iraq. If only the White House put as much time in to the war strategy as they did with the political strategy:
At the White House, officials were continuing to discuss the new plan with members of Congress, with an emphasis on lining up Republicans behind Mr. Bush’s approach. “We knew this was not going to be an easy policy to explain or one that was going to be met with open arms,” said a White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity.If the White House had a real strategy, they wouldn't need to worry about the message. But, while we're at it, what message does it send to the world that the U.S. is pinned down in Iraq by an insurgency? What message does it send to the troops that the President sent them to war without a plan? And, that he still doesn't have one?
That official said that the message to Congressional Republicans was similar to the one the White House spokesman, Tony Snow, conveyed Tuesday at his press briefing: that approval of any resolution critical of Mr. Bush’s approach, even if nonbinding, would send a damaging message.
“In an age of instant and global communication, what message does it send to the people who are fighting democracy in Iraq?” asked Mr. Snow. “And, also, what message does it send to the troops?”
