Daschle sparks war debate

Republicans say comments are divisive, dangerous

JON FRANDSEN GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- The United States has failed to break up the al-Qaida network and the continued success of the war on terrorism "is still somewhat in doubt," Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said Thursday in remarks that Republicans called divisive and dangerous.

Democrats have been in virtual lockstep with President Bush and the GOP on the anti-terrorism campaign since Sept. 11, but there have been some recent cracks in that unity. Daschle's remarks were among the strongest as Democrats try to probe at the administration's defense and war strategies without appearing disloyal.

"Clearly, we've got to find (Taliban leader Mullah) Omar, we've got to find Osama bin Laden, and we've got to find other key leaders of the al-Qaida network, or we will have failed," the South Dakota Democrat told reporters.

"We're not safe until we have broken the back of al-Qaida," he said, "and we haven't done that yet."

In praise of Bush

Daschle, who was responding to questions about criticisms leveled by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., on Wednesday, was cautious and made a point of praising Bush.

"Given the information that we've been provided, I don't think it would do anybody any good to second-guess what has been done to date," he said. "I think it has been successful. I've said that on many, many occasions. But I think the jury is still out about future success."

That did not prevent GOP congressional leaders from erupting.

"How dare Senator Daschle criticize President Bush while we are fighting our war on terrorism, especially when we have troops in the field," Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said in a terse news release.

Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., head of House GOP campaign efforts, said Daschle's "divisive comments have the effect of giving aid and comfort to our enemies by allowing them to exploit divisions in our country."

The White House response was more muted.

Bush press secretary Ari Fleischer said: "The president has said repeatedly this is about much more than any one man."

As for the specific charge that al-Qaida has not been broken, Fleischer said:

"You've heard the president repeatedly say himself that the al-Qaida network ... (has) been severely disrupted and severely hampered. It does not mean that the threat has gone away entirely, because there does remain a threat as al-Qaida tries to reassemble in other nations."

Daschle spokeswoman Ranit Schmelzer said Daschle's congressional critics were overreacting.

"Some have chosen to characterize remarks Senator Daschle made this morning on the war on terrorism as critical of President Bush. In fact, the transcript of Sen. Daschle's remarks indicates no criticism of President Bush or his campaign against terrorism," Schmelzer said in a memo that included the senator's remarks.

The furor began Wednesday when Byrd, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Pentagon officials about the huge increases in spending Bush has sought in light of the terrorist attacks -- a $48 billion increase over last year, largely with support from Congress.

Byrd, who reminded Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz of his long credentials as a hawk and supporter of strong defense, wondered whether the United States had "an exit strategy" for Afghanistan and questioned how far across the globe Bush would widen the war.

Daschle's remarks were in response to questions about whether Byrd's remarks were appropriate.

"I don't think the success has been overstated, but the continued success, I think, is still somewhat in doubt. Whether we continue to succeed depends on whether we get the right answers to the questions Senator Byrd was proposing yesterday," Daschle said.

For related stories go to the Terror in America section.

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