CNN's Malveaux asked about Iraq debate: "[E]ven if the White House loses, they win?"

Written by Brian Levy

Published


On the April 2 edition of CNN's The Situation Room, while discussing a bill co-sponsored by Sens. Harry Reid (D-NV) and Russell Feingold (D-WI) to begin phased redeployment from Iraq, guest host Suzanne Malveaux asked CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry, "[I]s the thinking here that even if the White House loses, they win, ultimately?" Henry responded: "[T]he White House does believe they have Harry Reid on the defensive because, if you remember, right after the last election, Reid said that while the Democrats would be tough on Iraq policy, they would stop short of cutting off funding for the war. Now it appears Reid is backpedaling from that." Neither Henry nor Malveaux explained Malveaux's suggestion that the White House would “win” regardless of actions taken by congressional Democrats.

From the 5 p.m. ET hour of the April 2 edition of CNN's The Situation Room:

HENRY: Both sides were already fighting over a war-funding bill the president has promised to veto because of a provision calling for U.S. troops to start leaving Iraq within 120 days.

Reid has now also signed onto a bill sponsored by anti-war Democrat Russ Feingold that would only allow war spending in three areas -- fighting Al Qaeda, training Iraqis, and securing the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.

While neither bill has much chance to become law, Democrats say it's about forcing Mr. Bush to change policy.

REP. CHARLES RANGEL (D-NY): That signal is that, “Mr. President, no president can successfully wage a war when the American people are not supporting you.”

HENRY: But the White House shows no signs of budging.

VICE PRESIDENT DICK CHENEY: It's nothing less than an attempt to force the president's hand. They're going to find out they've misread George W. Bush.

HENRY: Now, both sides were already at each other's throats on this issue. They're just digging in deeper, Suzanne.

MALVEAUX: So, Ed, is the thinking here that even if the White House loses, they win, ultimately?

HENRY: Well, the White House does believe they have Harry Reid on the defensive because, if you remember, right after the last election, Reid said that while the Democrats would be tough on Iraq policy, they would stop short of cutting off funding for the war.

Now it appears Reid is backpedaling from that -- Suzanne.