Claiming that the resolution opposing President George W. Bush's escalation of the Iraq War by sending more than 20,000 troops to Iraq failed to offer "something positive," Representative Vern Ehlers of Grand Rapids (Michigan's Third US Congressional District) announced yesterday that he would vote against the resolution. Ehlers claimed that he "reluctantly" opposed the resolution as he was hoping to "vote in favor of something positive - a fresh perspective, a new idea, a new pathway to success - anything to encourage and foster a positive outcome in the Iraq conflict," but that the resolution failed to offer anything in that regard. The Congressman called the resolution "a simple, almost meaningless statement of disapproval" of President Bush's planned "surge." Ehlers characterized his opposition to the measure as "procedural and substantive," bemoaning the fact the resolution neither contains "any alternatives for achieving success in Iraq" or "an alternative aimed at a reduction of troops."

However, Ehlers did not simply oppose the resolution, he also express continued support for the Iraq War. Ehlers stated that he believes the "real debate" will take place when a supplemental funding package for the war is considered next month. However, Ehlers made his position of support clear, stating that "make no mistake: a cut-off of funds and a premature withdrawal of troops from Iraq will produce even greater sectarian violence, further deterioration of security conditions, and would foment a terrorist breeding ground for radical Islamists." Ehlers mentioned no specifics supporting this assertion, instead going on to state that he and the rest of Congress "support the troops" and that Congress and the United States must act to "end this conflict and stop the casualties."

While the resolution passed in the House would have done nothing to end the war, it is unclear how Representative Ehlers expects to end the war by continuing to offer his full support. While he does mention the idea of a "diplomatic 'surge,'" he did not use his statement to call for any action on such a proposal. His only other reference to an alternative policy was to the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group, a set of recommendations that primarily attempt to justify the continued military occupation of Iraq by the United States or at the least, the economic domination of Iraq by the United States. Ehlers has been a consistent supporter of the war since 2002 and has never expressed meaningful opposition to any facet of it.