Salon War Room: credit to Kerry!!

[whometense]

Is Tim Grieve coming around?

First post is titled Kerry, Dems demand Downing Street inquiry

A few weeks ago, John Kerry vowed to make an issue of the Downing Street memo in the U.S. Senate. And then nothing happened -- or so it seemed.

In fact, Kerry has been working behind the scenes to get some of his Democratic colleagues to join him in calling for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to look into Downing Street, and now it's finally happening. Kerry -- joined by Sens. Jon Corzine, Tim Johnson, Ted Kennnedy, Frank Lautenberg, Barbara Boxer, Tom Harkin, Jack Reed, Jeff Bingaman and, yes, Dick Durbin -- has just written a letter to the committee's chairman and vice chairman, arguing that the revelations contained in the Downing Street memo "raise troubling questions about the use of intelligence" in the run up to the Iraq war and provide "renewed urgency" for the committee to complete an investigation that Republicans have said is no longer necessary.

Then he prints Kerry's entire letter.

[whometense]

1. Second post

Tim Grieve again, Where are the other Democrats?

For those who have been itching for someone -- the national media, the White House, Congress, anybody -- to take the Downing Street memo seriously, the news today is mostly good: Even if the Republicans will never let it happen, John Kerry and nine other Senate Democrats have actually asked for an investigation that will include the revelations set forth in the Downing Street memo.

And yet -- where are the rest of the Senate Democrats? There are 44 Democrats in the Senate, and Kerry circulated a draft of his letter to the whole lot of them two weeks ago. In the end, he was able to persuade just nine of his colleagues to sign on: Jon Corzine, Tim Johnson, Frank Lautenberg, Ted Kennedy, Barbara Boxer, Tom Harkin, Jack Reed, Jeff Bingaman and Dick Durbin.

Where are you, Harry Reid? Any reason you didn't sign, Sen. Clinton? And while we wouldn't expect to see a signature from someone like Joe Lieberman on this letter, why don't we see your name there, Sen. Obama?

It would be one thing, we suppose, if Kerry's letter were outrageous somehow -- say, if it impugned the patriotism of millions of Americans or suggested their real "motives" were to put U.S. troops in mortal danger. But Kerry's letter isn't like that. It simply quotes passages from the Downing Street memo and highlights the "troubling questions" that they raise.

Is it that you don't think those questions are worth answers, Joe Biden? Or does the experience of Dick Durbin -- who did, after all, sign the Kerry letter -- have you too scared to raise them?

-- Tim Grieve

<17:32 EDT, June 24, 2005>

[wisteria]

4. I have to agree with him. I wondered the same thing.

Where are the other senators? I suspect they are worried about serving their own self interests and not about investigating and finding out the truth. This letter could have been a "punch in the eye" to Bush, if most of the senators would have signed it. As it is, it is a respectfully written letter, that will have some impact and with some luck perhaps further investigations into the minutes. Unfortunately, the other Democratic senators could have made a real powerful statement with this letter by doing nothing more than adding their signatures. I think those who didn't sign it need to explain why.

[jillan]

2. We need to go on all our other sites to make sure they are praising Kerry

I just was on Randi Rhodes praising Kerry. They bash him big time over there, even tho Randi has lightened up on him since the election.
I will check in on and off to see if I need to fight some more. There is one other person praising him.

I think the timing of Kerry's letter is perfect. If he would have done it earlier, it would have been overshadowed by the Conyers hearings.
Now, everyone is talking about Rove, not DSM. This will bring everyone back:toast:

[ginnyinWI]

5. And don't forget Michael Jackson

Now that he's off the radar, there is room for some real news.

I see the Rove thing as just giving more credibility to the DSM, because it was so blatantly political. It shows how ruthless they all are.

[rox63]

8. I'm having a premonition...

There will be another missing pretty white woman all over the news shortly. At all times in this country, there are missing white women. The MSM just has to go out and find them. They've got to give the masses something to chatter about, instead of wondering why * is pillaging our country and lying to us.

[Goldeneye]

3. I'm so happy with Kerry right now.

I've been in a bit of funk lately, looking through election pictures, watching Faye's election video, listening to campaign music, and I read that onlinejournal story posted by LittleClarkie. I was a bit bummed out, but this makes me feel better. With little or no other action by dem leaders on the DSM, I think Kerry is winning some people over. This article is a good sign in my opinion.

[ginnyinWI]

6. Kerry knows how to lead

He knows how much stronger this is with a bunch of senators with him. Then it's not Kerry-the-sore-loser. I think Hillary may regret not signing on before this is over. ;)

He is also an original thinker--doesn't ever do it quite like people think. He does it a step or two better!

[TayTay]

7. Thanks to the Courageous Sen. Tim Johnson

It is one thing for the Senators from my home state of Massachusetts to openly question the President on the DSM. (Hey, MA has part of the Liberal Oasis within it's midst.) It's quite another thing for Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota to sign on.

Sen. Johnson has a son in the army who has served a tour of duty in Iraq. His state went for Bush in the last election. It is politically courageous for this Senator to call for this investigation. I plan on sending him an e-mail applauding his bravery in doing so and commending him strongly on signing this letter.

It's not easy for everyone to question this war. It is even harder when the pol in question comes from a state that heavily backed a Rethug in the last election. Attention and praise should be given to this wonderful man. Prayers for the safety of his son and the other troops his son serves with are also deeply encouraged.

Thanks Senator Johnson. You Rock!

[fedupinBushcountry]

9. I second that

Also he was with Kerry on the Senate floor on Karl Rove. I think he has had enough of this, not only for his son but for all the troops. He also voted for the IWR , I think he now realizes that he was lied to and even worse that our troops have been so blatantly used by this administration.

[Mass]

13. Johnson and Bingaman were the two names that surprised me

positively.

A lot of people disappointed me (some more than others).

[Pirate Smile]

16. They need to have an announcement/press conference with Kerry

speaking and with Tim Johnson making a plea not only as a Senator but as a parent of a soldier demanding to know the truth about why his son is over there. That would be powerful and get some press, IMO.

[karynnj]

18. Agree - Johnson is being very courageous in doing this

Signing this and "questioning" Kerry on whether Rove knows there are Democrats in Iraq like his son have to be because he is a principled man willing to take the political heat he may get.

[Mass]

10. Seems the letter is moving around

http://www.politicalaffairs.net/article/articleview/1369/1/102/

The AfterDowningStreet.org coalition welcomed yesterday’s letter signed by 10 Senators. The coalition described the move as "another major step forward" in learning the truth about the Bush administration’s drive for war.

"The senators’ letter is another major step forward in our demand for the truth," said John Bonifaz, Co-Founder of AfterDowningStreet.org, a coalition of organizations lobbying for an investigation of the build-up to the war.

"Has the President of the United States engaged in a deliberate conspiracy to deceive and mislead the United States Congress and the American people about the basis for going to war against Iraq?" Bonifaz asked. "The United States Constitution demands that we investigate fully this question, wherever it may lead."


Senator Kerry (D - MA) sent a letter yesterday to the Senate Intelligence Committee pressing for answers on the Downing Street Minutes and related documents. The letter, obtained by RawStory.com, is also signed by Senators Johnson, Corzine, Reed, Lautenberg, Boxer, Kennedy, Harkin, Bingaman, and Durbin. The text of the letter is below.

[whometense]

11. Great news.

It's amazing that it's being taken seriously - at least in some quarters...

[Mass]

12. On john conyers's blog also

http://www.conyersblog.us/

Now we need the MSM.

[whometense]

14. the what?

Sorry - couldn't resist. Haven't any celebrities committed any crimes recently?

[blm]

15. Mass, this is a great one to post in GD.

I want Bonifaz' name spread around more. I really think he is a great spokesperson and needs to become a go-to NAME in the media.

[ohtransplant]

17. It's a chance to put all Senators on the record.

The Dems who don't sign on will look bad when the groundswell continues and they're late comers to the party.

The thugs will have to answer for their party's actions in 2006.

It's time for all to be counted on this issue. Let the drum beat continue.

[TayTay]

19. So, we have these Sens so far:

Senators Johnson, Corzine, Reed, Lautenberg, Boxer, Kennedy, Harkin, Bingaman, and Durbin.

(I am so proud of Sen. Durbin. He has been through a lot in the last two weeks. I am so happy that he has decided to shake it off and go back into the fight. I justlove Sen. Sweetie!)

In order to get to hearings we need 4 of the following Dems on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence to sign:

Rockefeller (WV) - Moderate Sen., but Vice-Chair. We need him bad.
Levin (MI) - I can't believe Sen. LEvin hasn't signed yet.
Feinstein (CA) - Okay, I can believe she hasn't signed yet.
Wyden (OR) I thought Wyden was a good guy. What's up with him?
Bayh (IN) Okay, a moderate, I'm not surprised he hasn't signed.
Mikulski (MD) She's a great Sen. - Sound slike we have a shot with her.

I am worried about Bayh and Feinstein. I'm not sure they will ever sign. Bayh wants to run for PRes as a moderate and rocking the boat this much is not hs style. (But I hope I'm dead wrong.) I don't think Feinstein will do it unless she is the last sig.

What do you guys think. Should I start sending e-mail to Wyden or what?

[karynnj]

20. Evan Bayh is the son of Birch Bayh

Birch Bayh was anti - Vietnam war, even though the state of Indiana, except for the college campuses, was extremely pro-war. Evan Bayh did unexpectedly vote against some of Bush's cabinet appointments. A bold move for him would be to agree to this request.

He is one of several red state candidates who CW assumes can win when a more liberal candidate can't. Taking a step like this would differentiate him from the others - and in reality it's just asking for an investigation that was already agreed to (WMD-Part 2) but not done. Bayh was a successful Governor before becoming a Senator - so if the party really wanted to go with a red stater, Bayh might have more experience than the others. (Edwards, one term Senator; Warner, one term Governor; Clark, military only - never elected)

[ohtransplant]

21. I'd like each of them to take a definite position.

Whatever it takes for them to sign or clearly say "No". That's what I'm in favor of. This is one of those times for all to be counted.