Senate Panel Rejects Bush's Plan for Iraq

Summarized Article by Jeff Zelany, The New York Times

President Bush begged and pleaded last night, and today, he still got coal in his stocking. Last night, Bush asked during the State of the Union that Congress give his new Iraq strategy of sending 21,500 troops Baghdad's way a chance to work out. But the Senate was unfazed and today approved a resolution that denounces Bush's plan. A nonbinding resolution is now in the works by the full Senate to show a sign of disapproval for Bush's plan.
Also unfazed, Vice President Dick Cheney told CNN that the Senate's move "won't stop us."
The move passed the Foreign Relations Committee 12-9 with one Republican siding with the Democrats. Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, a Republican, voted against the resolution, but felt that a troop surge is not the right way to go and that a new direction for Iraq was needed.

--

Dick Cheney symbolized again the entire problem with the Republican party as a majority during his CNN interview with Wolf Blitzer. Simply put, they don't compromise, and can't even agree to disagree. And obviously, Mr. Cheney has no tact. Moving forward, this resolution has no direct impact on what Bush can actually do at this point, however it does set up a showdown between the Capitol and the White House, as Congress tries to determine at what level they can control the troop surge. It's apparent that Bush is trying to solve the problem, but when your fellow Republicans are questioning your strategy, it seems obvious to at least listen to their opinions -- much less that of the Democratic majority. Look for this issue to heat up in the coming weeks as Congress and the President go at an all-out politcal, white-haired, expense-trip cage match.