Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle

charged Monday &045; the same day President Bush virtually committed our armed forces to action in Iraq &045; that the president has &uot;failed miserably&uot; in diplomatic efforts.

Daschle &045; who voted last fall in support of a resolution authorizing force in Iraq &045; chose divisive words in his harsh criticism.

They are divisive words that America does not need on the eve of war. It is true that Americans are themselves conflicted about entering another war with Iraq, but for the most part citizens support the administration in its desire to rid the world of Saddam Hussein’s dictatorship.

Right now America needs leaders who will step up and unite behind our troops.

We would be crazy to think that members of Congress are of one mind when it comes to the efforts to win a second United Nations resolution on Iraq; Americans are not of one mind, to say the least of the world community.

But for a Congressional leader to be speak so divisively on the eve of war &045; in fact, to blame the president if &uot;we have to give up one life&uot; &045; is disheartening and callous.

There will be hard questions to answer in coming days and weeks, including how much this war &045; and its aftermath &045; will cost.

But with the diplomatic window closed, it is time for all of our leaders to speak with one voice on US. foreign policy as we enter a war against Saddam Hussein and his Republican Guard.