Earlier this week, both Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Peter Pace and Defense Secretary Robert Gates disputed the argument that a resolution opposing Bush’s escalation strategy would harm the troops and “embolden” our enemies:
PACE: “There’s no doubt in my mind that the dialogue here in Washington strengthens our democracy. Period”
GATES: “Gates said troops understand members of Congress want to find the best way to win the war. ‘I think they’re sophisticated enough to understand that that’s what the debate’s really about,’ he said.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), one of the Senate’s most ardent escalation supporters, slammed Pace and Gates this morning in the conservative Washington Times:
Sen. Lindsey Graham said he was outraged that Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Peter Pace and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates would say U.S. combat forces “understand” politics back home and won’t be disheartened by a symbolic no-confidence vote against the commander in chief.
“It shows a lack of sophistication about how this would play in newspaper headlines throughout the world,” said Mr. Graham, South Carolina Republican.
Instead of concerning himself with newspaper headlines, Sen. Graham should focus on getting the policy in Iraq right.