Paying for the continuing war in Afghanistan is roiling Congressional Democrats. Maybe the moral questions of continuing an unwinnable war -- and yes, for many another unnecessary "war of choice" -- while facing the possibility of setting aside necessary domestic spending are factors in the unease. Maybe.
Conservative Democrats, many from districts carried in 2008 by Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) who face grim reelection prospects next year, have had a difficult time voting against any war measures, regardless of the pay-for.Only one Blue Dog, Rep. Jim Cooper (Tenn.), was among the 51 Democrats who voted against a $95 billion spending bill for Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Eleven of the 52 Blue Dogs in Congress were among the 17 Democrats who voted for the most costly Republican alternative.
At the time, anti-war liberals refused to criticize their conservative colleagues. But that resolve is starting to wear.“Those who care about the deficit should care about it now,” said Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus and the only member to vote against invading Afghanistan in 2001. “If you won’t support the healthcare package when people are desperate, how can you support increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan on strategy that isn’t going to work?”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last week said that the re-emergence of Afghanistan was responsible for an atmosphere of “serious unrest” within her caucus. ...The Hill
