A Republican Who Wasn't Listening (by John Nichols for The Nation)

[marmar]

BLOG | Posted 06/13/2007 @ 01:44am
A Republican Who Wasn't Listening
John Nichols


No congressional result in 2006 sent a louder anti-war message than that of the contest in New Hampshire's 1st District. Social worker Carol Shea-Porter, a political newcomer, defeated the presumed frontrunner in the Democratic primary by positioning herself as an aggressive anti-war contender. Then in November, despite being disregarded and dismissed by party leaders and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Shea-Porter defeated Republican incumbent Jeb Bradley by a 51-49 margin.

It was a remarkable result. Outspent 3-1 in a challenge to a previously popular political veteran, Shea-Porter prevailed by contrasting her determination to wind down U.S. involvement in Iraq with Bradley's steady support for President Bush's war.

There was no mistaking the message sent by New Hampshire voters, who also replaced a pro-war Republican with an anti-war Democrat, Paul Hodes, in the state's other, somewhat more Democratic congressional district.

Well, almost no mistaking.

Bradley's back, and amazingly enough he proposes to regain his seat as a pro-war contender.

His complaint about Shea-Porter? She has kept promises she made during the 2006 campaign to work in Congress to bring the troops home safely.

According to Congressional Quarterly, "Bradley... contends that Shea-Porter's views against the war are too hardline even for a district in which skepticism about Iraq runs high. Bradley points directly at Shea-Porter's backing of a supplemental Iraq war funding bill, containing a timeline for withdrawal of U.S. troops, that Bush ultimately vetoed."

Does the defeated congressman really think New Hampshire voters, who polls suggest are even more anti-war now than they were in 2006, will reverse their views in 2008?

Evidently. He's busy echoing White House talking points with attacks on Shea-Porter that suggest, "I made it a priority to support our men and women in harm's way. She hasn't." ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=204767

[Demeter]

1. So THIS IS WHY NH Didn't Consider a Grassroot Impeachment Resolution!

Because this brave woman would have taken it to the House floor instantly, no matter WHAT Pelosi, etc., said or did. So they bought the NH legislature! Got a good price, too, I'm sure.

[bluerum]

2. We can only hope these pro-war dinosaurs keep coming back to the

defense contractor trough for their feed.

That the war on terror was a badly bungled sham is now becoming apparent to all but the most tragically deluded voters.

It is clear that we, the American people, led by a demented cowboy in chief, financed and supported the biggest lynching party and land heist in history.

[NewJeffCT]

3. I know

Keep up it, Bradley... if the spending is close to even, I'm guessing you lose by around 60-40 in 2008 when the war is polling around 15%.