War in Iraq

House debates Iraq plan

3 Michigan Republicans remain mum on their stance

Deb Price and Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- As debate opened Tuesday on a congressional resolution opposing more U.S. troops in Iraq, three of Michigan's Republicans held their positions close to the vest.

The three who wouldn't say whether they will support President Bush: U.S. Rep. Candice Miller of Harrison Township, who is Michigan's only member on the House Armed Services Committee and an increasingly vocal skeptic of President Bush's Iraq policies; Fred Upton of St. Joseph, and Vern Ehlers of Grand Rapids.

Political analyst Ed Sarpolus of EPIC-MRA in Lansing said the vote is especially difficult for Miller, widely considered a future candidate for Senate or governor. She also is the Michigan campaign chair for presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani, who backs the increase.

"How can you be out there different than the candidate you are supporting for president?" Sarpolus asked.

All six Michigan Democrats said they will vote for the resolution.

"The escalation must be stopped," Rep. John Conyers, D-Detroit, said Tuesday on the House floor. But like many Democrats, Conyers said it doesn't go far enough. Ultimately, he said, Congress should cut off funding for the war.

Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, faulted the resolution, telling his colleagues, "This resolution in front of us is a shallow political document." Hoekstra is the ranking Republican on the House Intelligence Committee.

Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Hills, said he opposes the resolution "because I believe it has more to do with politics than solving the problems in Iraq."

But Knollenberg, who is being targeted by Democrats as vulnerable in 2008, said he wants to see progress within 90 to 120 days in Iraq.

"I am not giving carte blanche I am offering my conditional support to the president," he said.

Rep. Thad McCotter, R-Livonia, called it "immoral" to pass a resolution that tells "our troops that the mission they are embarking on is doomed to failure."

Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, said his vote would be against "more of the same" policies on war from the Bush administration. Instead of sending more U.S. troops, Dingell said, "It is time to recognize that we must turn this situation over to the Iraqis."