Congressional Democrats are attempting to define their own mission in the war of Iraq in front of the backdrop of domestic twisters of tornados and other natural disasters and infrastructure needs.
With the U.S. Senate and the House not agreeing on an anti-surge referendum, the Democrats are debating how they can push an agenda that will maximize their political position, cause the greatest efficacy while not being viewed as anti-military or overly partisan.
The problem for the Democrats is creating a united front and being effective.As the party in control of Congress, there are not obligated to get things done, not just to go on the record with resolutions.While it appears they are attempting to put an end game to the Iraq war, they are not willing to cut off funding, but they are willing to use the supplemental budget to try to get what they feel they can accomplish.
One major area of concern the Democrats have is Joe Lieberman of Connecticut who is an Independent and who caucuses with the Democrats but does not share their views on the war.There has been speculation that if the Democrats go too far to the left on the war, Lieberman might bolt and switch to be a Republican.However, he will deliver the Democrats' weekend radio speech on Saturday and he calls for improving care for wounded U.S. troops who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
John Breaux was not pro Republican. He did vote with the Republicans when it was in Louisiana's interests. President Bush reached across the aisle and would have made Breaux Energy Secretary but Breaux knew the Party would not allow it; so he did not accept. He said that he could do more for the state in the Senate. I respect that. There are those who never run out of insults for this President. Seems he is wrong in all things. Yet while most do the politically advantagous thing, this President does what he believes regardless of the political consequences. Name calling seem to be really easy for some here. I had stopped writing because of the insults to me personally on this forum. Then I realized that there are 2 sides to every story and it needs to be told. If any of you makes a point, I research it. I am sick of the disrespect shown this President. While I do not agree with all he does, I realize that he is the one who has to make the decisions and anyone who thinks they could do a better job should run for President and show us a better way. To call someone who has done just that a "dumbass" no matter in what reference is not acceptable.
Written by Sharon
on 3/5/2007
Oh yeah you Dems really got that Oil Revenue for Lousiana. The Domenici-Landrieu Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act of 2006 or S-3711 passed with a vote of 71 Yea 25 Nay 4 did not vote. Those voting Nay ---25
Akaka (D-HI, Bayh (D-IN),Biden (D-DE),Bingaman (D-NM),Boxer (D-CA),Byrd (D-WV),Cantwell (D-WA),Dayton (D-MN),Dodd (D-CT),Durbin (D-IL),Feingold (D-WI),Feinstein (D-CA),Harkin (D-IA),Jeffords (I-VT),Kennedy (D-MA),Lautenberg (D-NJ),Leahy (D-VT),Menendez (D-NJ),Mikulski (D-MD),Murray (D-WA),Obama (D-IL),
Reed (D-RI),Sarbanes (D-MD),Snowe (R-ME),Wyden (D-OR).
Not Voting - 4 Baucus (D-MT),Bunning (R-KY),Kerry MA),Lieberman (D-CT)
Looks like a whole lot of Democrats were against it. That's why it was so important to get it passed before the Democrats took over. It would have been DOA after January 2007.
Written by Sharon
on 3/5/2007
Sharon, I am still upset with Landrieu on the Alaskan issue and did let her know,,,,,,,she has changed her tactics on that issue since that first vote. But I don't support or not support a candidate on one issue alone. Thank God, she was able to get the oil royalties finally, that others could not do for 50 years................!
Lieberman did what he had to do....and he knew that Democrats had to do what they did.......but he knows that he is in line with Democrats on every other issue...He has courage but he does not have a yellow stripe down his back....He will never be as pro-Republican as Louisiana's Democrat John Breaux was!
You have Democrats all wrong.......the soldiers who are there now will be well taken care of by them.....Democrats will also see to it that they will get better medical care when they get home according to the investigations they are pushing for now.
Written by Audrey George
on 3/3/2007
the people in goverment need to get out of iraq. This is a holy war that has been going on for centureys. We need to get our boys out. Presedent Bush is an idoit and that's putting it nicely. I support our troops but not our presdent he and the republician party need the heads examined. I use to be one of them but wised up after this dumb ass president!
Written by sarah bell
on 3/3/2007
Audrey if you check the votes in the Senate especially, you will see that Republicans often voted with Democrats. Chafee, Snowe, Collins, and Specter especially crossed party lines. It is the Democrats that vote lock step. Still do. Only Ben Nelson voted with Republicans on some issues. Mary Landrieu cast the only Democrat vote on an issue that would have brought billions in Alaska oil revenue to Louisiana. You'all thought it was great when Jeffords was elected by Republicans and changed parties giving the Democrats the majority. Lieberman was shunned by his party for breaking from them on Iraq and Foreign Policy. He was elected by Republicans in his state. His party was angry that he would run as an Independent. I still doubt he has the political courage to caucus with Republicans if it was the only way to stop Democrats from doing what they want to do -cut off funds for the military. The only thing that keeps them from doing so is that they know it would be political suicide. Regardless of what you see on certain News channels and read in certain Newspapers, the people want a victory in Iraq.
Written by Sharon
on 3/3/2007
Second paragraph comment: It does appear that Democrats don't want to be "too partisan" because they saw for the last 6 years how the Republicans kept a "tight reign" on their sheep.
They voted as one.......Democrats respectfully disagree which shows that they really think...about issues....
Paragraph 3.....cutting off funding would be suicidal...to their party and to the brave soldiers in Iraq.
Paragraph 4....Joe Lieberman was a good Democrat....will never become a Republican.......could but probably will not return to being a Democrat....He will be there for them at "crunch time". His heart is with the Democrats.
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