Warner coming around?

August 26, 2007

Sen. John Warner of Virginia, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, three days ago:

“Let the president set the timetable; let’s not have the Congress set any timetable…. [T]he Congress has repeatedly tried to set timetables and a total plan by certain dates to have a withdrawal. I have voted against that, and I will continue to vote against that type of proposition.”

Warner, this morning:

GOP Sen. John Warner, who wants U.S. troops to start coming home from Iraq by Christmas, said Sunday he may support Democratic legislation ordering withdrawals if President Bush refuses to set a return timetable soon.

“I’m going to have to evaluate it,” Warner said. “I don’t say that as a threat. I say that as an option we’ll all have to consider.”

That’s at least mildly encouraging. To be sure, Warner is one of those lawmakers who’s talked a good game for years, but when push comes to shove, and Democrats are looking for GOP allies they can count on to take a stand against the president’s policy, Warner always sides with the Bush White House. Indeed, it was one of the more noticeable disappointments in his announcement this week — Warner wants the White House to start a troop withdrawal this year, but he quickly added that he’s unwilling to force Bush’s hand. In this sense, his announcement was little more than a polite suggestion for a president who ignores dissent.

As of this morning, however, Warner was at least open to the possibility that the Dems’ policy may be the right course, after all. It’s far short of a commitment, but it’s a start.

I thought twice about this, and decided maybe he is trying to give the Democrats the confidence to really go for the popular political turnaround on the war (an overwhelming turnaround) that would motivate the Republicans to part ways with the president.

  • When Warner can put his vote where his mouth is; when he can walk the walk, and not just talk the talk, I will “think about” the possibility of maybe considering the option of perhaps believing him. Let me know when he leads the charge to override presi-dunce-ial vetoes. Let me know when he starts wielding the Great Big Crowbar of Impeachment. Let me know when he walks up to Cheney and bitch-slaps the filthy old codger into unconsciousness with a copy of the Constitution—carved into a stone tablet. Until then, “Mr.” Warner ranks right down there with those lead-infested, talking Elmo dolls from China….

  • John Warner’s a militarist whose proudest accomplishment in his time in Congress has been building up and defending this nation’s military machine. And Bush’s Iraq adventure is ripping his proud armed forces to shreds. I don’t see eye to eye with Warner very much, but in this case what is best for militarism is also what’s best for this nation.

  • The pattern here is “Highly Respected Republican” John Warner makes “bold statement” followed by “Congress should do nothing.” He then votes against any change as do all other Republicans. MSM pundits point to low poll numbers for “Democrat-led Congress” and describe them as even worse than the do-nothing 109th.

    Of course, if you’re talking about Justice Department scandals, replace Warner with Arlen Spector. For torture, substitute John McCain. For Katrina, it’s Susan Collins.

    New Rule – Don’t use “highly respected” in the same day as “Republican”.

  • Maybe Warner is growing tired of being an echo for His Shrubness when His Shrubness is a well known f’up and Warner’s allegiance will be seen in the future, (and now), as cowardly toadying that helped destroy the very thing he said over and over was so important. Even Warner must know he sounds like a moron. And maybe that makes him feel like a moron. But maybe he’d rather not see himself that way.

    And after all of his toadying, when he speaks out in just the eensiest, most tentative way against ShrubThink, he gets slammed by the folks who are supposedly on his side. But he knows he’s right. Oh what a dilemma Senator Warner. Didn’t you know that your guys are shooting the treasonous bringers of bad news in your world these days?

  • I heard Warner on Meet the Press, and while he did say that bit about having to “evaluate it”, the rest of the interview was full of very strong statements that Congress should not usurp the president’s constitutional powers and that the decision had to be the president’s and he wouldn’t vote for setting a timetable. So I’d say he’s still doing nothing more than spectering as he has for some time now.

  • Anyone else just sick to death of these constant head fakes? All we seem to get is tough talk from both sides, which gets weaker and more nuanced and one hedge leads to the next one, and before you know it, all you’re left with is pitiful whimpering and crocodile tears.

    We’ve had it with talk. We’re over it. I would rather hear nothing than have my hopes raised over and over, only to have them dashed on the rocks of wishy-washiness. I hate to tell them, but when all the talk leads to doing nothing, it’s almost as if they actually said nothing – and we’re not fooled that talk is the same as action.

    Talk, talk, talk…enough already. Either do something, or just STFU.

  • Wake me up when a republican actually does something rather than says something that sounds like he’s going to do something. In the meantime, (sound of snoring)….

  • Typical we shoot the messenger. Giving Bush all the wriggle room to stay the r course. John Warner keep on message!

  • iC, what are you talking about? If anyone’s giving Bush wiggle room, it’s Warner.

    Warner says the Iraqis won’t get their act together unless we put some “teeth” into our expectations of them, but he refuses to sign on to any bill with teeth that attempts to force Bush to change course in Iraq. Bush is if anything less likely than the Iraqis to pay any attention to toothless suggestions from Warner or other members of Congress.

  • Warner is trolling for support among Republicans. He’s looking for signs of agreement from some of his colleagues before he goes any farther with his suggestions. Right now it doesn’t look like any of his GOP fellows are backing him up, but as the elections approach and the GOP approval ratings approach zero you’ll see the GOP incumbents start to make mouth noises about withdrawal.

  • Surely everyone is amazed at the paralysis of our political class in America. The US has already lost Iraq. Iran will come in sooner or later and order events (what choice do they have?).

    Maybe we should outsource our political class! We could start by asking India for a price for a President and Vice President, together w/ a customized foreign policy (they should present a half dozen options, ranging from reactionary to revolutionary).

  • What Steve and Anne and others said. And that goes for both sides of the aisle. Shut up and vote muthafuckas.

    I will allow legislators to explain why they are going to vote a certain way to counter spin. In addition they’ll have a harder time backing out at the last minute if they’re on record making a definite statement. Maybe.

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