An attack on Iraq is imminent, and the foreign-policy wonks are
arguing over whether President Bush needs congressional approval. Some feel
that Bush should use last year's Sept. 14 congressional resolution, which
authorized military action against whatever President Bush deems a
legitimate terrorist target. Others say the president should use the 1991
resolution allowing use of force against Saddam Hussein. Some liberal
pundits even suggest that President Bush must get a congressional
declaration of war.
President Bush does not need congressional approval, nor should
he seek it. President Bush should place troops in action against Iraq
immediately. He should then make a national address, an appeal to the
American people.
"My fellow Americans," he should say, "this is a solemn time in
our nation's history. We are faced with a foe that lurks in shadow, a foe
that hides among children, a foe that can strike us at any instant and then
retreat into the dark underbelly of human society. I stated following Sept.
11 that countries were either with us or with the terrorists and that we
would bring justice to those who harbor, aid and abet terrorists.
"Iraq is a country that harbors, aids and abets terrorists, and
today and in the days to come, we will rain justice down upon it. For years,
Saddam Hussein has been developing weapons of mass destruction, proclaiming
that when he has them, he will use them against us and our allies. We know
Saddam has biological and chemical weapons; it is only a matter of time
until he reaches nuclear capability. We cannot afford to wait until he has
nuclear weapons, with which he can hold the world hostage. We must strike
now, and we must strike hard.
"We are the most moral nation on the face of the earth," Bush
should continue, "and we will fight morally. We will target those who
deserve justice, and we will minimize harm to innocents. The American people
must know, however, that terrorists do not advertise their status openly and
that innocents will be killed along with the guilty. Their blood is on the
hands of the terrorists who use them as human shields.
"Some have said that America cannot go this War on Terror alone.
Some have said that we need the support of 'Arab allies' or 'European
allies.' I say they are wrong. This is not the way our country works. Our
country is great because we refuse to compromise our values for the sake of
international support. I say again -- we will not sacrifice our goals in
this war in order that others may love us. The safety of American citizens
is at risk, and we will not bend to the moral ambiguity that plagues other
nations.
"Some of you may be wondering why I did not go to Congress for
its approval of this attack," Bush should say. "I will give you a simple
answer: I did not want the bureaucrats in Washington to sidetrack a course
of action that is clear and moral. And I know that congressional officials
would do just that. In recent days, congressional officials have leaked
confidential military matters to the press, and I will not risk the lives of
American soldiers so that these congressmen and women may 'debate the
issue.'
"There is another reason that I did not seek congressional
approval. For two years, I have been saddled with a do-nothing Senate.
Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and his Democratic cohorts have impeded
America's progress because they place politics above people. They have
refused the courtesy of open debate about my judicial nominees. They have
tacked pork-barrel projects onto vital legislation that would ensure
homeland security. They have implied that this administration knew Sept. 11
would occur and that we let it happen -- I can think of no more scurrilous
political strategy than that.
"And so, my fellow Americans," Bush should conclude, "I bring
the case against Iraq to you. I ask that you tell your congressmen not to
deny funding to the brave men and women of our military currently engaged in
protecting our freedoms. I ask that you tell your congressmen that if they
leak confidential matters, they will pay for it at the polls. I ask that you
tell your senators to stop holding up the business of the American people.
"America's national interest is at stake. Protecting it is a job
for the American people, not for the bureaucrats in Washington. Thank you --
I know that together, we can do what must be done."
