Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. proposed a compromise. Some Democrats questioned the stated threat posed by Iraq and bristled at President George W. Bush’s broad request. As he often had in his long career, Mr. Biden sought bipartisan middle ground — this time, between those opposed to potential war and the White House desire for more open-ended power. Some antiwar members of his committee resisted his effort, worried that it would still pave the way to conflict. Mr. Biden’s plan ultimately did not succeed, and he chose to focus on Mr. Bush’s reassurances of a diplomacy-first approach.

Source: New York Times January 13, 2020 00:57 UTC