Two GOP Senators urge Iraq coalition
Two prominent Senate Republicans called on President Bush yesterday to build an international coalition before striking Iraq, setting the stage for a lively and divisive debate this week over the administration’s strategy to enforce weapons inspections and topple Saddam Hussein.
Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) and Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) yesterday lobbied Bush to agree explicitly to work more closely with U.S. allies to eliminate Hussein’s nuclear, chemical and biological capabilities.
“I don’t understand why the president would not want all the congressional and international support he can get if, in fact, the last option is taking a nation to war,” Hagel said. <I’m guessing it’s because Bush really really wants war.>