Despite saber-rattling by top Bush administration officials, U.S. Sen. Sam Brownback on Tuesday said he doubted the United States would invade Iraq anytime soon.

“The logistical support for a major ground-troops type of invasion isn’t there,” he said.

Brownback, R-Kan. and a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, told the audience at a Lawrence Chamber of Commerce breakfast that instead of an American invasion, he backed plans to support dissident groups within Iraq.

Eventually, he said, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein either would be overthrown or his influence would be dramatically reduced.

“I want to make this guy the mayor of Baghdad,” Brownback said, noting that Saddam’s influence in the northern and southern provinces is reportedly waning.

“I think we should work with the people in Iraq who are already opposed to him,” he said.

On Monday, Vice President Dick Cheney warned Veterans of Foreign Wars conventioneers that growing reluctance to invade Iraq only enhanced the likelihood Saddam would continue developing chemical, biological and nuclear weapons.

Brownback did not respond to Cheney’s remarks, but he conceded, “We all know that at some time we’re going to have to deal with Saddam. All I’m saying is there’s another way to skin this cat.”

The senator also said while most of the United States’ attention was focused on Saddam and Iraq, the government of Iran remains the “world’s No. 1 supporter of terrorist groups.”

On other issues, Brownback:

 Said allowing airline pilots to carry firearms was “a legitimate option,” as long as the pilots were properly trained.

 Lashed out at greedy corporate executives and the toll they’ve taken on investor confidence.

“I just read an article that said that in July more money was taken out of mutual funds than any other month in our history,” he said. “We are in desperate need of confidence being put back in the marketplace.”

 Repeated his long-standing concern on the effects of violence on American children.

About 35 chamber members attended the breakfast.