Softer Iraq Resolution Angers Democrats

ABC News’ Z. Byron Wolf Reports:  When Sen. John Warner, R-Va., altered his resolution so that it would appeal to more Republicans, he turned off some Democrats. 

Presidential aspirant Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., are the only two Democrats to officially come out against the bipartisan, but non-binding resolution offered by Warner of Virginia, though more of their liberal Democratic colleagues may follow.

At a press conference on Capitol Hill, Dodd opposed the Warner resolution by invoking Army Captain Brian Freeman, a military officer who died in an attack on U.S. forces in Karbala January 20th. Freeman, whom Dodd and Sen John Kerry, D-Mass., met shortly before he died when the Senators were on a recent fact-finding trip to Iraq, is being buried today in California. Both Dodd and Kerry have spoken previously about how Freeman expressed his concerns about the war with them while the three shared a helicopter ride.

"As we are gathering here at this moment there are services being held in California for Brian Freeman with his wife and family. His 14 month old daughter and two year-old son. Today Brian’s family is gathering for that service and we are the process, about to pass, a non-binding, sense of the senate resolution regarding Iraq at a time when I think we ought to be taking stronger action. I cannot in good conscience continue to go along with a failed policy that will lead to the loss of life of more Brian Freeman’s."

Dodd said the Warner resolution is, at heart, an "endorsement of the status quo." and pointed out: "The White House has said they are going to ignore what we have to say… If that’s the case, why not force them to pay attention. This is United States Senate, not some City Council somewhere. We do have an effect on policy."

"I understand the value of sense of the senate resolutions from time to time," he said. "But we are at a critical moment here and we need to move beyond that."

Dodd said Team Warner-Levin is Flawed in four specific areas,"not just a question of language." The way Dodd reads Warner’s compromise, he’s not really condemning the surge, just quibbling about the number of troops. said he opposes the resolution for four specific reasons. Secondly, Dodd, who like most Democrats supports the phased redeployment of troops from Iraq, points out the Warner resolution says it should not be interpreted as "precipitating any immediate withdrawal in the level of forces." Dodd said, "I disagree with that. I think we ought to begin that process."

He also opposes the addition of a clause that says under no circumstances will funds be cut off for troops in the field. Dodd says this "abdicates the power of the purse."

But here is one technicality to Dodd’s opposition: He will vote on Monday in favor of a procedural vote that would limit floor debate, but against the bill in a final, up or down vote. Supporters of the resolution need 60 votes to move past the procedural vote, but are likely several votes short. Dodd may not have to ever actually vote against the resolution.