Republican vs. Republican on Iraq

Republican vs. Republican on Iraq

On Monday a Washington Post headline read: “GOP’s Base Helps Keep Unity on Iraq.” By Thursday, following President Bush’s veto of a Democratic war funding bill, the long-suppressed GOP divide on the war was spilling out into the open.

Most Republicans still oppose setting a timetable for withdrawal and only four in the Congress voted for the Democratic proposal. But now they are split on the question of “benchmarks”–whether to require Iraqis to meet certain political goals in order to keep receiving US military support.

“Obviously, the president would prefer a straight funding bill with no benchmarks, no conditions, no reports,” said Senator Susan Collins of Maine told the Los Angeles Times. “Many of us, on both sides of the aisle, don’t see that as viable.”

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

On Monday a Washington Post headline read: “GOP’s Base Helps Keep Unity on Iraq.” By Thursday, following President Bush’s veto of a Democratic war funding bill, the long-suppressed GOP divide on the war was spilling out into the open.

Most Republicans still oppose setting a timetable for withdrawal and only four in the Congress voted for the Democratic proposal. But now they are split on the question of “benchmarks”–whether to require Iraqis to meet certain political goals in order to keep receiving US military support.

“Obviously, the president would prefer a straight funding bill with no benchmarks, no conditions, no reports,” said Senator Susan Collins of Maine told the Los Angeles Times. “Many of us, on both sides of the aisle, don’t see that as viable.”

Still other Republican supporters of the surge, like Senator Lindsey Graham, are trying to have it both ways. According to the Washington Post, Graham “said he would support adding benchmarks, but with no repercussions should Iraqis fall short.”

Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of having benchmarks in the first place? Without consequences what’s the incentive for the militia-plagued, secterian-driven Iraqi government to hammer out a compromise? And while we’re at it, isn’t it time for US politicians to stop blaming Iraqis for the mess in Iraq? After all, it was the Bush Administration’s war of choice that made a bad situation even worse.

Support independent journalism that exposes oligarchs and profiteers


Donald Trump’s cruel and chaotic second term is just getting started. In his first month back in office, Trump and his lackey Elon Musk (or is it the other way around?) have proven that nothing is safe from sacrifice at the altar of unchecked power and riches.

Only robust independent journalism can cut through the noise and offer clear-eyed reporting and analysis based on principle and conscience. That’s what The Nation has done for 160 years and that’s what we’re doing now.

Our independent journalism doesn’t allow injustice to go unnoticed or unchallenged—nor will we abandon hope for a better world. Our writers, editors, and fact-checkers are working relentlessly to keep you informed and empowered when so much of the media fails to do so out of credulity, fear, or fealty.

The Nation has seen unprecedented times before. We draw strength and guidance from our history of principled progressive journalism in times of crisis, and we are committed to continuing this legacy today.

We’re aiming to raise $25,000 during our Spring Fundraising Campaign to ensure that we have the resources to expose the oligarchs and profiteers attempting to loot our republic. Stand for bold independent journalism and donate to support The Nation today.

Onward,

Katrina vanden Heuvel

Editorial Director and Publisher, The Nation

Ad Policy
x