Debate vs. War

I have been reading quite a few stories lately about Senator Daschle's critique of the President and the reaction to it. I'm not sure how I really feel about this.

On the one hand, I can understand the need for there to be a unified front as we go to war. The time for debate has passed. The Commander in Chief has made his decision and it's time for everybody to fall in line and support the military as it goes to do its job.

But Congress also has the responsibility to debate issues and to provide advice to the President. If there is no debate, there is no democracy. So for everyone to toe the party line isn't acceptable.

I think that Sen. Daschle and Rep. Pelosi did not err in their desire to debate, but rather in the rhetoric that they employed. They overstepped the line of rational debate and fell into ad hominem attacks. When you look at the comments of someone like Sen. Lieberman, they are taken as the comments of someone who disagrees, but understands that there is a time and place for debate. Lieberman will keep quiet for now, but I don't think that we've heard the last from him on the war.

Congress does have a responsibility to debate the issues of the day. They have a responsibility to provide advice to the President. But they also have a responsibility to act responsibly. Sen. Daschle comments failed the responsibility test. He did nothing legally wrong, but morally he overstepped the line (so I guess I do have an opinion on this after all).