First, we agree with Atrios: "A 'sustained surge' is an escalation."
So, besides McCain and Lieberman, who else is supporting Bush's plan for a major escalation of the quagmire in Iraq? An Associated Press report on the talk shows has Lugar and Specter sounding very skeptical:
Two prominent Senate Republicans bucked the White House on Sunday, expressing skepticism about more U.S. troops in Iraq and support for greater dialogue with Iran, Syria and others in the region.
Sen. Richard Lugar, the outgoing chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, urged the president to consult with lawmakers before announcing a new strategy on Iraq that could call for additional troops in Iraq.
If Bush were to act with without involving the new Democratic-controlled Congress, he can anticipate "a lot of hearings, a lot of study, a lot of criticism," Lugar said....
...Sen. Arlen Specter, just back from a trip to the region, also questioned the wisdom of sending in more troops, saying he has not seen an administration plan that would justify it. "If there is a road map to victory, then I would be prepared to listen to what the president has to say about more troops," he said.
In addition, Vilsack and John Edwards stated their opposition this morning:
Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack said the U.S. should not make a "big mistake even bigger by suggesting a surge of troops in some way, shape or form is going to make Iraq safer or better."
Former North Carolina senator John Edwards, described the troop-increase idea as the "McCain doctrine" - after a chief advocate, Sen. John McCain - and said he believes the Arizona Republican is "dead wrong."
I think Edwards is on to something there. McCain wants this, let him own it.
Talking Points Memo reports that even Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM), reliable Bush puppet in Congress, is against the escalation.
Very few Republicans have questioned their President over the Iraq war. Now, many seem to be keeping their distance from his latest developing plan. If they had done their jobs for the past four years, maybe things wouldn't be this bad. But things are this bad -- and Bush seems determined to make it worse.
