Senate Hearings Audition New Commander in Chief

How is our Congress responding to the war in Iraq? The Senate Foreign Relations and Armed Services Committees have questioned the commander in Iraq, General David H. Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Ryan Crocker, to determine the state of the war, progress towards success, and the possibility of withdrawal.

What is success in Iraq? Even if our lawmakers agreed on a definition of success, there wouldn’t be agreement on whether we’re progressing towards it. 

So what are we, citizens and voters, supposed to do? Congress’ power is limited to funding/withdrawing funding the war. But foreign policy changes with the presidency, so voting for president means voting for a course in Iraq. As voters, we must understand the candidates’ platforms as best we can, so that we make an informed vote. 

The Senate hearings gave the candidates a chance to articulate their assessment of the war and show voters they have what it takes to be Commander in Chief.

Looking at Iraq through economic and political lenses

Political

General Petraeus, Ambassador Crocker, and presidential candidates Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama agree that diplomatic negotiations need to happen with Syria (west of Iraq) and Iran (east of Iraq). Both nations have supported insurgent activity in Iraq, and without negotiations, instability in the region is a sure thing. For all three candidates, an agreement with Iran and Syria over Iraq would be a success.

However, much of the disagreement among the candidates hinges on the contentious idea of “success” in Iraq. John McCain argues that the 2007 surge in U.S. combat troops has moved Iraq closer to peace and democracy, his definition of success. Barack Obama agreed that the troop surge reduced violence in Iraq, but argued that our idea of success should be more modest. Hillary Clinton questioned the effectiveness of the troop surge and asserted that the military should focus on Afghanistan, where terrorist groups are gathering.

Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama would withdraw most U.S. combat troops from Iraq. They believe that the Iraqis won’t take full responsibility until U.S. forces leave it to them.

In contrast, John McCain’s point of view is that withdrawing troops from Iraq emboldens the terrorists and the several militias. General Petraeus also worries that a drawdown would result in greater violence in Iraq. From this perspective, U.S. forces are keeping the peace. President Bush agrees with this philosophy. As a result, Petraeus has ordered a 45 day suspension of troop reductions.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates and President Bush made it clear that the next president will inherit an American force in Iraq exceeding 100,000 troops.

Economic

Members of Congress would like to see funding for Iraq reconstruction shift from loans to grants. Many feel that Iraq should pay for itself, especially at a time when Iraq has built up a budget surplus fueled by high oil prices.

Republican Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska argued that Iraqis have an estimated budget surplus of $60 billion, including $30 billion in U.S. banks. Democratic Senator Carl Levin of Michigan agreed that it’s time for Iraqis to pay their own way. He says that in addition to spending tens of billions of U.S. dollars on reconstruction, (we spend $341.4 million per day in Iraq), American taxpayers are also paying $3 to $4 a gallon on gas here at home, much of which originates in the Middle East, including Iraq.

Tell your representatives what you think!

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