The solons putting forth the resolutions knowing that the resolutions won’t do a blessed thing besides give their supporting Senators a talking point when they seek reelection. Their fondest wish is that by championing the resolutions, they can look like the guy in the driver’s seat on a ladder truck. When you look quickly at a ladder truck, it looks like the guy in the driver’s seat is in control, but it’s actually the guy in the rear who is doing the real steering. That’s the nature of the con so many Senators are trying to pull.
NATURALLY, IT WOULD BE HILARY CLINTON who would elevate this generally bi-partisan Senatorial malfeasance to new and unprecedented levels. On the campaign trail this week, the former first lady demanded that the President settle the Iraq situation before he leaves office rather than leave it to his successor. She said it would be "the height of irresponsibility" to do otherwise. Of course, Senator Clinton hopes to be President Bush’s successor so her bizarre sentiment expresses some selfish concerns.
It’s easy to find historic parallels where presidents weren’t able to leave a perfect world to their successors. Truman left the Korean War to Eisenhower; Ike never complained. LBJ left Vietnam to Nixon; Nixon also didn’t complain. Even Senator Clinton’s husband, after purportedly being obsessed with the pursuit of Osama bin Laden for several years, was unable to deliver his successor a world devoid of its greatest terrorist threat. Given the way the hunt for bin Laden allegedly consumed President Clinton, we can assume he knew the stakes. One wonders whether his wife would label his bequeathing the problem to his successor "the height of irresponsibility."
But history be damned. I say Senator Clinton should double down on her demands of the Bush administration. As one of his possible successors, she should demand that he also bring peace to the troubled Israeli/Palestinian conflict. And then he should settle things with North Korea (like her husband did). In his spare time, he should figure out the mysteries of cold fusion so his successor won’t be plagued by energy costs or concerns.
But let us not be too hard on the former First Lady. She’s a Senator now, and just doing what 21st century Senators do. Senator Clinton doesn’t want to truly lead anymore than she wants to have an in-law suite for Monica Lewinsky in Chappaqua.
Most modern day Senators for sure want office. But they don’t want to lead.