In the debate on a resolution opposing President Bush’s plans to send more troops to Iraq, Tennessee Congressman John Tanner today/yesterday called the Pentagon and civilian leadership for the war incompetent.
Tanner, a Democrat from Union City says the men and women in uniform have performed magnificently, but he says military might alone is not enough to succeed if the Iraqi people “can not or will not” make progress in establishing a civil democracy.
“Western style of democracy works because we have a theory called separation of church and state. When people don’t go to the same church, they nonetheless can get together Monday through Friday and build a civil society. They can get along with each other. If these folks are unwilling or are unable to do that for philosophical or psychological reasons, then we can only try to force a square peg into a round hole for so long. It’s been going on for four years.”
Tanner, who supports the resolution, says a pullback is preferable to prolonging a costly and deadly strategy for a, quote, “political goal that is out of reach.” He says the billions being spent in Iraq are siphoning off resources needed for success in Afghanistan.
The debate has been predominately partisan. A vote on the resolution is expected Friday.
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