The "Nays"

[riverwalker]

Instead of examing why some voted YEA on the IRW, I am interested in examining why those who voted NAY did so. We all agree it took extraordinary courage and integrity to oppose this resolution. Some of those who voted NAY were already powerful leaders in the Senate, and others were just beginning their careers. How did they reach their decisions? What motivated them? What distinguishes them from those who voted YEA? How many read the NIE? What were the consequences of their vote, now 6 years later? I've only linked a few of the statements and speeches against the vote, please add to this list.

Oct 11 2002 Iraq War Resolution
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=107&session=2&vote=00237

NAYs ---23

Akaka (D-HI)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chafee (R-RI)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Graham (D-FL)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wellstone (D-MN)
Wyden (D-OR)

Washington Senator Patty Murrey:
http://murray.senate.gov/news.cfm?id=188920

Michigan Senator Carl Levin alternative resolution
http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=211525

Oregon Senator Ron Wyden
http://wyden.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=285790&&

Minnesota Paul Wellstone
http://www.wellstone.org/archive/article_detail.aspx?itemID=5423&
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BF2CLRZLK2E

[havocmom]

1. There is a list to draw from for wisdom and values

Thanks for posting.

[Zynx]

2. Btw, I want to point something out because I've seen anti-semites on this

board make a point before of saying that Jewish politicians, largely due to Lieberman and Feinstein, are lockstep in favor of this war and neo-conservatism. Senators Boxer, Feingold, Levin, Wellstone, and Wyden were all Jewish and all opposed to the war. I just want to make this point even though it doesn't relate to the topic at hand because this is as good a place as any to refute this argument. I've seen much more anti-semitism on this board than I care to.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

3. Thank you for this post....

This is very helpful!!

[Jane Austin]

4. Speaking of Chafee,

when does his book come out.

Sounds like he explains some of what was behind the vote in there.