Supporting the troops: Gregg exposes Reid’s hypocrisy

The following appeared in the New Hampshire Union Leader:

IF YOU THINK the Democratic leadership in Congress is above playing politics with our troops in the field, think again.

Democrats are desperate to capitalize on the public’s dissatisfaction with the war by passing a purely political resolution (sponsored by Republican Sen. John Warner) opposing President Bush’s troop surge for Iraq.

The non-binding resolution would do two things. First, it would achieve its intended purpose of generating more bad press for Bush and the Republicans right as the 2008 Presidential campaign gets under way. Second, it would achieve the unintended consequence of undermining troop morale and boosting the spirits of the enemy. But hey, as long as it hurts Bush, right?

Sen. Judd Gregg is not amused. He’s introduced his own resolution, which would oppose cutting off funds to our military personnel already serving in Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who claims to support the troops, saw Gregg’s resolution and refused to allow a vote on it.

Reid on Monday characterized Gregg’s resolution as a “distraction” from the important issue of opposing a troop increase, which everyone already knows the Democrats oppose.

Only in Washington can a non-binding political statement be considered the “real” issue and a promise to give troops the money and equipment they need for the duration of the war be considered a “distraction.”

Reid’s shameless political pandering and reluctance to commit to financially supporting the troops is disgraceful. He should allow debate on both resolutions, and Sen. John McCain’s, which supports the troop surge, and let the political chips fall where they may. That is the only honorable course of action.