It wasn’t just that U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) went to Syria this week that’s pissing off the White House. It was the fact that he went even after they made it known they really, truly, “wait until your father gets home ’cause you’ll be in big trouble buster” didn’t want him to.
This idea seems lost on Snow and Bush — he doesn’t need the White House’s permission… ”Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government”
The White House on Thursday escalated its criticism of Sen. Bill Nelson’s defiant diplomacy to Syria as other senators prepared to meet with the president of the country the United States accuses of aiding terrorists.
At a news briefing, White House spokesman Tony Snow repeated his contention that the Florida Democrat’s trip was ”not helpful” and ”not appropriate…”
”The United States has a clear position, and you want to make sure that you’re sending a clear message, and not mixed messages, to the Syrians about the fact that they have obligations,” Snow said…
Snow also suggested that the senators could end up with egg on their faces…
”It may cost some people their credibility,” Snow said.
Nelson’s response?
“Whatever.”
The two-week to Lebanon, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, and yes, Syria, was — as you might imagine for a trip with these logistics — planned long ago, even before the Iraq Study Group released its recommendation that the United States enlist Syria’s aid to help us get out of Iraq. One might also venture that Nelson’s recent appointment to the Senate Intelligence Committee, along with his current seats the Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, could have been factors.
Plus — and this idea seems lost on Snow and Bush — he doesn’t need the White House’s permission. As Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-Conn.), who is also slated to visit with Syrian Pres. Bashar Assad, put it:
”Congress is a separate and co-equal branch of government, and as a senior member of the Foreign Relations Committee, where oversight is a critical component, members need to go to hot spots not just garden spots,” Dodd said. “I can’t think of a more critical part of the world than the Middle East, and I can’t think of a more critical player in effecting events in the region for good or for bad than Syria.”
The White House hopes it will have better luck intimidating Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and perpetual presidential candidate John Kerry from their planned excursions.
Asked whether the administration would wave off the other senators, Snow noted, “Well, I think they know now. It’s out there, guys.”
Or not.
Dodd…said Thursday that Syria is still on his itinerary.
