The GOP’s breathtaking hypocrisy on “unpatriotic” criticism

The Republicans’ reaction to Democratic criticism of the war is sad but predictable. Lawmakers and their conservative allies in the media are questioning Democrats’ patriotism, support for the military, toughness, and general approach to foreign policy. My favorite is when Republicans try to score cheap partisan points with voters by accusing Democrats of trying to score cheap partisan political points.

But the reaction, and overreaction, to Sen. Tom Daschle’s recent remarks is telling for a variety of reasons.

In case you missed it, Daschle raised eyebrows (and blood pressures) throughout DC this week by saying the war might have been avoided by better diplomacy from the White House.

“I’m saddened, saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we’re now forced to war,” Daschle said on Monday. “Saddened that we have to give up one life because this president couldn’t create the kind of diplomatic effort that was so critical for our country.”

Was this comment tough? You bet. Harsh? Maybe a little. But to hear the GOP’s reaction, as the Washington Post’s E.J. Dionne put it, “you’d have thought Daschle had endorsed Saddam Hussein for reelection.”

In a well-publicized quote, Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) responded by saying, “Those comments may not undermine the president as he leads us into war, and they may not give comfort to our adversaries, but they come mighty close.”

Bear in mind, Hastert, who dodged military service during the Vietnam war, was attacking the patriotism of Daschle, who served in the war Hastert avoided. It’s a common scene. Tom DeLay has been tougher and more ruthless criticizing Democrats for being skeptical about the war than anyone, despite having avoided military service himself.

I don’t blame Republicans who support war but avoided serving in one. After all, Carpetbagger has never worn a uniform, either. Far more troubling is the idea that it’s reasonable for lawmakers to attack the patriotism of Americans who disagree with them. It truly resembles a modern-day McCarthyism. You disapprove of my abuse of power? Then you must be un-American!

To hear GOP critics hear it, troops are in harm’s way; you can either get behind their commander in chief or get behind the enemy. Of course, following one’s conscience and questioning the choices of the president doesn’t make you a traitor, but this seems too sophisticated a concept for Hastert, DeLay, and Co. to appreciate. Americans must support the president when the armed forces are sent into battle, they argue. It’s that simple.

Or is it? Consider some of the comments many of these same Republican lawmakers offered when President Clinton sent troops into Kosovo in 1999.

DeLay, for example, said, “The White House has bombed its way around the globe. International respect and trust for America has diminished every time we casually let the bombs fly.” As for Kosovo, DeLay complained that “no one wants us to be there” and that the president’s effort “has harmed [our] standing in the world.”

Rep. Randy Cunningham (R-Calif.) accused Clinton of pursuing “the most inept foreign policy in the history of the United States.”

Shortly after the military campaign began, Trent Lott went on CNN to say, “I had doubts about the bombing campaign from the beginning. I didn’t think we had done enough in the diplomatic area.” Lott, ironically, implored Clinton to “give peace a chance” and said the Kosovo conflict should be resolved with “words, not weapons.”

At one point, DeLay went so far as to urge Congress to stop providing necessary funds for the war as a way to end our involvement. Once we start “meddling in the internal affairs of sovereign nations, where does it stop?” DeLay asked on the House floor. He charged that we were “starting to resemble a power-hungry imperialist army” and portrayed our mission as an “occupation by foreigners.”

Did anyone accuse these “honorable” men of aiding the enemy? Were Democrats so outraged with these lawmakers, each of whom avoided military service, that we questioned their patriotism? Did anyone call on these congressmen to apologize once their criticisms proved to be unfounded and the Kosovo campaign was a tremendous success? Alas, no.

They criticized the commander in chief while troops were in harm’s way, condemned the troops’ mission, and did everything within their authority to undermine America’s efforts during a military conflict. They paid no political price whatsoever.

With these truths in mind, you’ll forgive me if a chuckle a little every time I hear a Republican denounce Tom Daschle for candidly speaking his mind.