March 24, 1999
Web posted at: 8:19 p.m. EST (0119 GMT)

It was Clinton's second address of the day. He made a statement from the White House briefing room after the attacks began around 2:15 p.m. EST, saying the dangers of air strikes now are outweighed by the dangers of failing to act. He repeated that point in his evening address.

"Ending this tragedy is a moral imperative," Clinton said. "It is also important to America's national interests."

Members of both parties have been urging him to take his case directly to the U.S. public. Rep. Martin Frost (D-Texas) urged the president to make a prime time speech to the nation explaining the rationale for committing U.S. troops to the NATO action in Kosovo.

Frost, the House Democratic Caucus chairman, said he believes that members of Congress fully understand why the president committed troops to Kosovo -- but he feels that Clinton clearly "needs to do a prime time broadcast when people are watching. He does need to explain this to the American people."

"While many members of Congress have some reservations, members of Congress by and large have decided this is the right thing to do at the right time. But now he must take this to the public," Frost said.

Democrats were briefed Wednesday morning by National Security Adviser Sandy Berger. Frost said a number of members expressed their support for the president's action, while some reservations were expressed about committing ground troops in Kosovo.

A 'terrible derogation' of Clinton's duties

Arizona Sen. John McCain, a possible Republican presidential candidate, said Clinton must get his message across to the American people.

"He has not done so, and that, I agree, is a terrible derogation of his responsibilities as commander in chief," McCain said in a Senate speech supporting the use of NATO power in Kosovo.

McCain said the main question is what the policy's exit strategy will be. "Everyone wants to know what Plan B is," he said.

But McCain also said members of Congress cannot evade their responsibilities to speak to their constituents about the great risks involved in this operation.

"We, too, must shoulder a share of the responsibility for the loss of American lives in a conflict that most Americans do not believe is relevant to our own security," he said. That is why so many senators are so reluctant to support this action and have spoken so passionately against it."

The Republican leadership of Congress was briefed on Tuesday. House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois) has invited Clinton to explain his Kosovo policy to a joint session of Congress and Clinton is said to be considering it.

"I would hope that the president would come forward on a timely basis and do two things: Lay this out to the Congress and the American people, and also come forward with a plan for how we're going to pay for it," Hastert said during a photo opportunity.

Once the bombing began, however, support for U.S. troops took precedence over worries over the policy.

"Whatever reservations about the president's actions in the Balkans, let no one doubt that the Congress and the American people stand united behind our men and women who are bravely heeding the call of duty," said Sen. Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Mississippi.

RNC criticizes Clinton

The Republican National Committee also criticized the president Wednesday for his attendance of two Democratic fund-raisers in Washington Tuesday and a planned trip at the end of this week. The White House announced the trip was canceled after the air strikes began.

Jim Nicholson, the chairman of the Republican National Committee said Clinton should not attend fund-raisers while U.S. armed forces are in action.

Joe Lockhardt

"Mr. President, have some respect for the men and women risking their lives to follow your orders," Nicholson said. "I ask you to have the decency to suspend your relentless foraging for campaign cash while our troops are in harm's way."

White House spokesman Joe Lockhart testily replied to Nicholson's statement.

"I think your question is generated from a statement put out from the Republican National Committee, and frankly we don't need the unsolicited advice from Mr. Nicholson," Lockhart said.

When a reporter started to say that RNC had a right to say what it wants, Lockhart cut him off.

"They certainly do, and I have a right to say that if that's all he has to offer to this debate, he ought to stay out of it," Lockhart said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday, March 24, 1999

• 2000 hopefuls divided on support for NATO air strikes
• Clinton explains attacks to U.S. public
• The politics of bombing
• U.S. defense secretary: No indication of NATO casualties
• Text of House Kosovo resolution
• GOP pushes flag burning amendment
• Jackson won't seek presidency in 2000
• McDougal says her ex-husband lied about Clinton's Whitewater involvement
• Clinton urges Arafat to delay declaration of Palestinian state
• Congress voices support for airstrikes, troops
• Democrats criticize census bill, Census director criticized
• Iran-Contra independent counsel suggests keeping the law
• House approves $180 million for its committees
• Anti-bigotry measure defeated after contentious House debate
• Black-tailed prairie dog to be evaluated for endangered status
• House approves $1.3 billion for Central America, farmers

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