Bush may lose N.C. ally Elizabeth Dole on the war in Iraq

[Imagevision]

If George Bush loses Elizabeth Dole on the war in Iraq, he is in big trouble.

Though North Carolina's senior senator continues to support the war, there are hints she is taking a more independent view of the president's plan to increase troops there.

But after the president's announcement of an escalation of troops, Dole responded differently.

Dole was a cheerleader for the administration last year as chairwoman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But she also saw firsthand how the Iraqi war cost Republicans control of the Senate.

While Bush was a major asset for Dole in 2002, he could be a drag in 2008 when Dole faces re-election.
http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/534726.html

[LynnTheDem]

1. Showing her republic morality, Dole pulls away from supporting bush's war

on the people of Iraq when it's shown to be a losing issue politically for republics.

Never mind the illegality, never mind the Hitleresque "supreme crime" war of choice aggression; never mind the carnage.

It's just politics.

One day people such as Dole will come to discover selling one's soul for politics isn't such a great idea.

[YDogg]

6. true. although selling her soul has worked pretty well for her so far

assuming she has a soul

[Supersedeas]

8. a soul without substance

[rodeodance]

2. she was "inclined" to support the troop increase....bet she sticks by Bush.

But after the president's announcement of an escalation of troops, Burr and Dole responded differently.

Burr, who recently returned from Iraq, said he supported the increase in troops "provided those troops are given a clearly defined mission and achievable military objectives."

Dole, who was in Iraq last spring, was more hesitant, saying she was "inclined" to support the troop increase.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Dole said she "want(s) to know more details about the specific missions these men and women will perform, and how this new direction will get the job done, stabilize Iraq, and allow our troops in harm's way to return home."

The difference between Burr's support and Dole's more qualified support is subtle, but it's significant.

Dole's comments come at a time when a number of Republican senators, including Virginia's John Warner and Mississippi's Trent Lott, are voicing varying degrees of skepticism about the conduct of the war.

[peaches2003]

11. Burr is a liar

Richard Burr is a liar and God knows what else. We lived in NC when he first ran for Congress and were in his district. He was smooth and an unknown.

He, in no uncertain terms(because I knew he was lying and I listened to every word carefully), over and over promised that he was a 'citizen representative' and would serve 2 terms in Congress and that was it! He was a NC boy and would never be away more than 4 years. The rw loved it and it was instrumental in him coming from absolutely nowhere to win. This was how many years ago?... probably close to 15 or more. And he's still in DC, now as a Senator.

[Supersedeas]

12. a serious lack of leadership -- Walt Jones and Howard Coble show more courage

[roamer65]

3. She can run, but she can't hide. The voters will find her in 2008.

:evilgrin:

[Kookaburra]

4. Oh please!!!

That ridiculous old bat. I'm so sick of her I don't know what to do. I think I preferred life when she did absolutely nothing and we didn't have to hear anything about her.

[no_hypocrisy]

5. It IS interesting to note that the same republicans who are carefully

backing away * and his surge would have just as soon been staunch supporters had at least one house of Congress remained a majority of republicans.

[citizen snips]

7. Please run Governor Easley

Right now he is the only person who is capable of beating Dole.

[Doctor_J]

9. Just like Smith and Coleman

staring political death in the face in 20 months, she suddenly sees the light.

[Wizard777]

10. As the former head of the Red Cross her support of Bush is crass

The Red Cross is one of the organizations charged with monitoring POW Abuses under the Geneva Convention. Libby Dole should be working to put Bush & Cheney's asses in jail. Not supporting them and by extention thier uses of torture.