GOP,  Iraq,  Iraq War

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part VIII

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Washington Post: Senators Unite On Challenge to Bush’s Troop Plan

Revised Warner Language That Protects Funds Is Embraced for Bipartisan Appeal

Democratic and Republican opponents of President Bush’s troop-buildup plan joined forces last night behind the nonbinding resolution with the broadest bipartisan backing: a Republican measure from Sen. John W. Warner of Virginia.

Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) announced the shift, hoping to unite a large majority of the Senate and thwart efforts by the White House and GOP leaders to derail any congressional resolution of disapproval of Bush’s decision to increase U.S. troop levels in Iraq by 21,500.

Although the original Democratic language was popular within the party, it had little appeal among Republicans. Warner’s proposal drew support from both sides, and it was retooled last night to maximize both Democratic and Republican votes.

The revised resolution would express the Senate’s opposition to the troop increase but would vow to protect funding for the troops. The resolution does not include the Democratic language saying the Bush plan is against the national interest, but it also drops an earlier provision by Warner suggesting Senate support for some additional troops.

“It’s been a hard work in progress,” Warner said of the revised resolution, which will require the support of at least 60 senators to prevent a filibuster.

Senator Warner is a work alright.

This resolution should be FILIBUSTERED by the GOP.

So, the GOP Senators think this will provide them cover when they run for re-election? Perhaps it does. But, it sells out the Iraq War effort and emboldens our enemies.

The GOP Senators are trading their electoral prospects for the nation’s and our troop’s security.

Why not allow General Petraeus work the strategy?

Captain Ed says that the GOP Members of Congress are pissed at the Bush Administration for losing their majority and are looking for payback.

The answer may lie with the Bush administration’s handling of the issue in the midterm elections. The GOP lost control of both houses in what everyone now concedes was a referendum on the war. The next day, Bush dumped Donald Rumsfeld in favor of Robert Gates, and it came out that Bush had planned the move since the summer but wouldn’t pull the trigger until after the elections.

This infuriated Republicans in Congress, who believe that the decision cost them their majorities, especially in the Senate. The White House maneuvering forced GOP candidates to either defend Rumsfeld or attempt to shrug off questions about his management of the war. Had Bush replaced Rumsfeld in August or even September and made the changes that followed prior to the election, they could have saved one or two seats in the upper chamber, or so some analysts believe.

As a result, it’s easy to speculate that Republicans in both chambers (and those who did not return) might feel a bit betrayed and not inclined to support the administration with as much enthusiasm as before. Their decision to mind their own political fortunes and let the Bush administration twist in the wind would be understandable, but it would still be a mistake. That kind of short-term payback has long-term implications, and while this is speculation, those implications for defeat and an Iraqi collapse are absolutely real.

Hugh Hewitt says the GOP is Forfeiting The Legacy of Reagan

Since 1980 the Republican Party has been the party of national defense and seriousness in foreign policy. It has been the party that believed in freedom and in the defense of our allies and the refusal to accommodate evil because of convenience. The Soviet Union is no more because of these commitments, and no attack has reached American soil since 9/11 because of these beliefs backed by action and the sacrifices of the American military.

By this time next week that legacy may have been abandoned. It will not have been abandoned if the Democrats in either the Senate or the House simply use their numbers and the votes of a handful of foolish Republicans pass defeatist resolutions. It will be abandoned if the Hill GOP desert the idea of resolute prosecution of the war and ultimately victory.

My Townhall.com column, “A Political Gettysburg –Without A Joshua Chamberlain,” details the situation, as does Dean’s post below.

So, what next?

Contact the Senators to FILIBUSTER this amended Warmer-Levin resolution and contact the House GOP Leadership and express your displeasure with voting for any resolution should it pass the Senate.

Tell them all that YOU expect them to vote the nation’s interest over their own parochial political interests.

Tell them that you support the pledge.

31,693 people have signed The Pledge thus far. Will you?
If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.

The Contact List:

The GOP leadership n the House:

Congressman John Boehner: (202) 225-6205 Fax (202) 225-0704. E-mail here

Congressman Roy Blunt: (202)-225-6536 Fax (202)-225-5604 E-mail here.

Congressman Eric Cantor: (202)-225-2815 Fax (202)-225-0011. (No e-mail available.)

The leadership and key GOP members n the Senate:

Senator Mitch McConnell: 202-224-2541 Fax: 202-224-2499. E-mail here.

Senator Trent Lott: Phone: 202-224-6253 Fax: (202)-224-2262 E-mail here.

Senator Jon Kyl: Phone: (202) 224-4521 Fax: (202) 224-2207 E-mail here.

Senator John Ensign: (202)-224-6244 Fax: 202-228-2193. E-mail here.

Senator John McCain: Phone: (202)-224-2235 Fax (202)-228-2862. E-mail here.

Senator John Warner: Phone: (202) 224-2023 Fax: (202) 224-6295. E-mail here.

Senator John Cornyn: Phone:202-224-2934 Fax: 202-228-2856. E-mail here.

Senator Pat Roberts: Phone (202) 224-4774 E-mail here.

Senator Gordon Smith: Phone: 202-224-3753 Fax: 202-228-3997. E-mail here.

Senator Norm Coleman: Phone: 202-224-5641 Fax: 202-224-1152.E-mail here

The resolution will come up for debate next week.

Make your calls today!

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Previous:

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part VII

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part VI

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: GOP Senators Debate 5 Different Iraq War Resolutions

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part V

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part IV

John McCain Watch: DNC Criticizes McCain Contradictions on Iraq War

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part III

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge Part II

Iraq War Senate Resolution Watch: Take the Pledge

The Michael Ramirez files


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