CONDI          .VS.             JIM

Wow what a difference.

Isn’t it nice to see a Congress that actually DOES something?  

Not just with legislation, but with oversight.   Unlike the Rubber-Stamp / Do-Nothing Republican Senate, the new Senators are holding Bush Co. to the fire.

A few weeks ago, Senator Jim Webb, the newly elected Democrat from Virginia, asked Secretary Condoleeza Rice if the administration thought President Bush had the power to take military action against Iran without permission from Congress.

Her reply…

“I’m really loathe to get into questions of the president’s authorities without a rather more clear understanding of what we are actually talking about. So let me answer you, in fact, in writing. I think that would be the best thing to do.”

i.e.  “I’m really loathe to answer that question, Let me delay that answer, tell you I’ll get back to you, and hopefully you’ll just forget about it.”

Condi is apparently living in 2006, and didn’t get the memo that The Republican Rubber Stampers are gone, after waiting two weeks for a reply, Webb followed up by sending the following letter to rice this week:

January 29, 2007

The Honorable Condoleezza Rice
Secretary of State
Department of State
2201 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Rice:

During your appearance before a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on January 11, 2007, I asked you a question pertaining to the administration’s policy regarding possible military action against Iran. I asked, “Is it the position of this administration that it possesses the authority to take unilateral action against Iran, in the absence of a direct threat, without congressional approval?”

At that time you were loath to discuss questions of presidential authority, but you committed to provide a written answer. Since I have not yet received a reply, the purpose of this letter is to reiterate my interest in your response.

This is, basically, a “yes” or “no” question regarding an urgent matter affecting our nation’s foreign policy. Remarks made by members of this administration strongly suggest that the administration wrongly believes that the 2002 joint resolution authorizing use of force in Iraq can be applied in other instances, such as in the case of Iran. I, as well as the American people, would benefit by fully understanding the administration’s unequivocal response.

I would appreciate your expeditious reply and look forward to discussing this issue with you in the near future.

Sincerely,

James Webb
United States Senator

… Do you suppose George Allen Jr. would have written this letter had he won his race against Webb?

Stay tuned for more delays and stone-walling from the incompetents in the White House, on this, and almost every other issue.

Again,  I want to thank America for last November, and I want to ESPECIALLY thank those in Viriginia who made the right choice.