letter from boxer tonight.............she isnt going to back down

[seabeyond]

Dear Julie,

This morning I entered the Senate hearing room with a wonderful feeling, knowing that over 40,000 of you stood behind me as I sought to hold Condoleezza Rice accountable for her many actions leading up to the war in Iraq and beyond. I talked about your support during my opening statement. And knowing you were with me gave me the energy I needed to keep fighting for the truth.


I hope you had a chance to watch some of Condoleezza Rice's confirmation hearings today. Because if you did, I'm sure you'll share my feelings.


I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated, because I don't think Dr. Rice has been forthcoming in our quest for the truth. Time after time, Dr. Rice had the opportunity to set the record straight on many issues. And, on issue after issue, she failed to do so.


She failed to set the record straight on the hyped-up nuclear threat leading up to the war on Iraq; she failed to do it on the total number of trained Iraqi security forces, which is key to the Administration's exit strategy there; she failed to do it on her misstatements about Al Qaida operating in Iraq; and she failed to do it on the U.S. policy regarding torture. This last issue is the most troubling one, as it was clearly demonstrated that while Dr. Rice speaks out against torture, she actually personally intervened to kill an anti-torture provision in a recent intelligence bill.


So, I'm not going to back down -- I'm going to keep asking the tough questions, illuminating the many inconsistencies, falsehoods, and disturbing revelations in Dr. Rice's previous statements about Iraq, the war on terrorism, and the use of torture -- holding her accountable for the failures of our foreign policy.


Now, in these final hours before our committee votes on Condoleezza Rice's confirmation, you have one last opportunity to make your voice heard in this process. Demonstrate to Dr. Rice and the United States Senate your dissatisfaction with her lack of candor. Help me demand the truth and hold Condoleezza Rice accountable.


Tell your friends, family, and colleagues to sign my petition today -– in these final hours before the confirmation hearings conclude.


Thank you so much for standing with me in this fight for the truth. I can't tell you how much I value your friendship and support.


Sincerely,

http://ga4.org/campaign/ricehearings/d7866k91jmexid

[imenja]

1. That's wonderful, but will she vote to confirm Rice?

She said during today's hearing that she would be working with Rice in the coming months. Was that an indication of how she plans on voting or simply an acknowledgment of the political reality that Rice will be confirmed?

[seabeyond]

2. who the f* cares. that just doesnt matter

not at all

[imenja]

6. you don't care how she votes?

How very odd. Half of DU seems willing to work to defeat any Democrat who votes to confirm Gonzalez because they feel standing up against torture is a central Democratic principle. (I agree with the principle but not the pledge to bring down Democrats). Is the Rice nomination less important.
The profanity is uncalled for. I very much admire Boxer. I was asking if you knew how she planned to vote. I never dreamed you wouldn't care.

[seabeyond]

9. sorry, sounds like you are seriously just asking, my thought on it

rice has been in the administration for four years, she is vetted, she has the job. it is bush job to fill these positions. he owns whether he hires a bad person. you know gonzalez, rice and the new cia dude, all bad, poor choices, but they are bushes choices.

i dont really know why i am not bothered if they express and make clear their position yet vote to confirm her.

i will have to think about this one.

(and the exasperation on my part. man people on this board have been dissing all day, and regardless of what are senators are saying the too little too late, i disavow kerry yada yada, just got to me. so your, we will see how she votes, like that takes away her accomplishments today just kinda pissed me off)

[imenja]

10. I think she's been great

In fact I organized the DU flower fund to thank her for her actions on Jan. 6. I'm not going to get bent out of shape if she does vote for Rice, but given her statements she should vote no for the sake of consistency.

[seabeyond]

11. tweety thinks she will i assumed she would

the rest i think they will vote her in. though i heard tweety say kerry was iffy. isnt that par, and i say in giggle not ridicule

and thank you for doing the flower thing. that was so nice

[imenja]

13. She voted no!!!

I hope she does the same for Gonzalez.

[TrustingDog]

5. it's a given that KindaSleazy will get her promotion...

All the biggest liars cheats do lately.

Yes, Barbara Will be working with Rice.

[caligirl]

8. Yes it is, however votes against her signal the dems won't go

along with this corrupt administration, it signals we are fighting back, that we have a collectively strong voice and it puts a stigma on Bush's second term. Just like the stigma of the Ohio vote objection will always be there in Bush's chapter in the WH.

Mostly it signals an end,I hope, to the DLC ways. Progressives have a voice and will fight to expose * and Kindasleazy Rice for what they are.

[TrustingDog]

12. I like that word... STIGMA.

[TrustingDog]

3. THAT is a Representative.

Barbara, I love ya. You do know what havoc this will cause you and your family and your extented family. You do know and you still risked it.

[GetTheRightVote]

4. I hope she does not vote for RiceBall though it is always very nice

to see B. Boxer kick some you are what ...

:kick:

[seabeyond]

7. link to petition

http://ga4.org/campaign/ricehearings/d7866k91jmexid