Liddy Dole is Getting Nervous

News Observer

If George Bush loses Elizabeth Dole on the war in Iraq, he is in big trouble.

Though North Carolina's senior senator continues to support the war, there are hints she is taking a more independent view of the president's plan to increase troops there.

Bush has had no more steadfast allies on the war than the two Tar Heel senators, Republicans Dole and Richard Burr.

But after the president's announcement of an escalation of troops, Burr and Dole responded differently.

Burr, who recently returned from Iraq, said he supported the increase in troops "provided those troops are given a clearly defined mission and achievable military objectives."

Dole, who was in Iraq last spring, was more hesitant, saying she was "inclined" to support the troop increase.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Dole said she "want(s) to know more details about the specific missions these men and women will perform, and how this new direction will get the job done, stabilize Iraq, and allow our troops in harm's way to return home."

The difference between Burr's support and Dole's more qualified support is subtle, but it's significant.