Democratic Congressmen Band Together On Iraq

[EV_Ares]

2:03 PM EDT, May 24, 2007
By DAVID LIGHTMAN, Washington Bureau Chief WASHINGTON -- The four Democratic members of the Connecticut House delegation banded together and said in a joint statement today they will oppose the Iraq spending plan, a plan with no timetables for withdrawing U.S. troops, and instead "demand legislation that includes consequences" for the Iraqis and "a plan to redeploy and then bring our troops home."

In an unusual development, the members issued a four-paragraph statement, saying, "We will vote the will of our constituents in Connecticut and the American people -- voting against a measure that does not hold this administration accountable for its failed policy in Iraq or set a new direction.

"We cannot in good conscience support a bill that keeps our troops in the middle of a bloody and chaotic civil war with no exit strategy and no timeline for redeploying our troops," they said.

Making up their minds today were Reps. Joseph Courtney, D-2nd District, Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3rd District, and Chris Murphy, D-5th District. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, announced his opposition Wednesday.

They were all under intense pressure from Connecticut anti-war activists who have been flooding their offices with e-mails and phone calls. A Connecticut Opposes the War newsletter issued today via e-mail, for instance, listed each member's phone number and reminded readers: "Democrats need to hold firm now in order to keep the pressure on Bush and Republican legislators."

The state's only Republican lawmaker, Rep. Christopher Shays, R-4th District, intends to vote for the plan.

In the Senate, which is expected to vote Friday, Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., opposes the measure. Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, an independent who caucuses with Democrats and is a strong war backer, is observing a Jewish holiday and cannot be reached for comment.

Entire article @ link below:

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hcu-ctdems-iraq-0524,0,5144146.story?coll=hc-headlines-home

[Donnachaidh]

1. bet Lieberman is taking calls from the Republicans

:grr:

[EFerrari]

2. Go, CT!

:applause:

[Justitia]

3. Fantastic! I love this unity block from our CT mbrs! That is taking it to your reps, CTers! -eom

[liberalitch]

5. I wrote my rep. Bobby Scott and asked him not to vote for it.

[brentspeak]

4. Good for them. Where's DU's resident Democrat-bashers to comment on this?

[mmonk]

7. Who's bashing the rank and file members of congress

or any of them that oppose the war?

[Gregorian]

6. Maybe this was the only way to instigate real dialog.

Everybody's talking now.