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Nancy Pelosi’s War
"The administration should tell the American people why it's necessary for us to be there."
Sounds like someone asking Barack Obama why we are in Afghanistan. But that quote came from then- U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi in 2005, challenging George Bush to explain why the U.S. military was in Iraq.
Notice how clear she was. No ambiguity or confusion. Same thing with these comments, "I've thought this war was a grotesque mistake. It's hard for anyone to argue that the war meets the standard of a strategy for success."
Compare those remarks to this statement from now-Speaker of the House Pelosi on July 1, 2010, following her "Yes" vote for placing "tough restrictions" on Afghanistan war funding:
"Our men and women in uniform continue to perform heroically in Afghanistan, Iraq and around the world, and it is critical that Congress has the most up-to-date information as we debate policies that impact our soldiers, their families and our national security."
Not quite as assured as her thoughts on Iraq in 2005. After issuing the above statement, Mrs. Pelosi on the same day proceeded to vote to continue funding the Afghanistan war. The vote was close, 215-210. Elsewhere on July 1, Republican Party Chairman Michael Steele said Afghanistan was a war of Barack Obama's choice. I agree. While the Bush Administration should have ended the war also, the Obama administration chose to up the commitment there.
But isn't Afghanistan Nancy Pelosi's war, also?
The House owns the war power, not the President. The House also controls all federal spending, including wars. And Nancy Pelosi controls the agenda for the House. She showed she knows how to wield power with health-care reform. So, Nancy Pelosi has the political power to end Afghanistan. Her Congress has the constitutional authority to end Afghanistan, and it has the financial power to end Afghanistan. And it might not be as tough as many people think.
In "The Nation" magazine this past March, U.S. Representatives Dana Rohrabacher and Tom McClintock, both Republicans, said the majority of the Republican Congressional caucus would like to leave Afghanistan. That means with only a little effort, Mrs. Pelosi could find broad support, from Democrats and Republicans, to end the war.
The stated reason to continue fighting in Afghanistan, which has been that we need to create a government that will not let al-Qaida return, remains unconvincing. Many countries throughout the world can offer al-Qaida safe harbor.
The reasons to leave are, on the other hand, overwhelming: Afghanistan does not pose a direct threat to the United States; the purpose of our military is to defend Americans, not nation-build; our current financial straits mean we can only afford a cost-effective, strong national defense, not wars of choice.
Instead of covering yourself, Speaker Pelosi, how about rescinding the original Authorization to Use Military Force (AUMF)? What about rallying the Democratic congressional caucus, as you did with health care reform, to get behind a re-submitted, Dennis Kucinich-authored House Resolution 248, which requires troops to leave Afghanistan?
This war has gone on long enough. No more regret letters to bereaved American families. No more money spent. Al-Qaida is no longer in Afghanistan. The troops have completed their mission. Bring them home.
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Businessman John Dennis is the Republican nominee for Congress in the 8th Congressional District.
