WP: Democrats Who Opposed War Move Into Key Positions: New Chairmen Had Warned of Postwar Disorder

[DeepModem Mom]

Democrats Who Opposed War Move Into Key Positions
New Committee Chairmen Had Warned of Postwar Disorder
By Walter Pincus
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 4, 2006; Page A04


Rep. Ike Skelton (Mo.), left, and Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. (S.C.), shown at a recent Capitol Hill hearing, voiced objections to invading Iraq during House debate in 2002. They said that they were concerned about the war's aftermath in Iraq. (By Evan Vucci-Associated Press)

Although given little public credit at the time, or since, many of the 126 House Democrats who spoke out and voted against the October 2002 resolution that gave President Bush authority to wage war against Iraq have turned out to be correct in their warnings about the problems a war would create.

With the Democrats taking over control of the House next January, the views that some voiced during two days of debate four years ago are worth recalling, since many of those lawmakers will move into positions of power. They include not only members of the new House leadership but also the incoming chairmen of the Appropriations, Armed Services, Budget and Judiciary committees and the Select Committee on Intelligence.

Rep. John M. Spratt Jr. (S.C.), a senior member of the Armed Services Committee, was one of several Democrats who predicted during the House floor debate that "the outcome after the conflict is actually going to be the hardest part, and it is far less certain." He credited his views in part to what he heard over breakfasts with retired generals Anthony C. Zinni and Joseph P. Hoar, both of whom had led the U.S. Army's Central Command -- a part of which is in Spratt's district....

***

The incoming Armed Services chairman, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), spoke in support of Spratt's amendment, stressing the need for "a plan for rebuilding of the Iraqi government and society, if the worst comes to pass and armed conflict is necessary."...

***

Rep. David R. Obey (Wis.), who will chair the Appropriations Committee, was among the group that organized the Democrats. He spoke then about poor preparation for postwar Iraq, a concern he developed after listening to State Department officials....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/03/AR2006120301108.html?nav=most_emailed

[Skittles]

1. VOTING YOUR CONSCIENCE PAYS OFF

AND RIGHTFULLY SO

[lvx35]

2. "Key positions"...

exactly where they should be. :)