Democrats accuse Bush of politicizing Iraq conflict

Knight Ridder Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- The congressional debate over waging war with Iraq lost its bipartisan luster Wednesday in a burst of anger from Democrats, who accused President Bush of maligning their patriotism and politicizing the war on terrorism.

The eruption threatened to bog down Bush's drive for an open-ended congressional resolution that would authorize him to use force against Iraq.

Bush prompted the furor with comments earlier this week aimed not at the Iraq debate, but at a Senate dispute over legislation to create a Department of Homeland Security.

"The Senate is more interested in special interests in Washington and not interested in the security of the American people," Bush said during a speech Monday in Trenton, N.J.

Democrats took those as fighting words.

Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., and two of the Senate's most eminent Democrats, Robert Byrd of West Virginia and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii, went to the Senate floor to denounce Bush.

"That is outrageous," Daschle said. "The president ought to apologize. ..."

Inouye, who lost his right arm in battle during World War II, questioned if Congress should grant Bush unfettered power to use force whether the United Nations approves or not.