Urge The Out of Iraq Caucus To Oppose The Supplemental Iraq Funding Bill

By Big Tent Democrat, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:49:45 PM EST
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Unlike MYDD, and as always, I speak only for me, I strongly oppose the Dem Leadership/Blue Dog bill that does absolutely nothing to stop the Iraq Debacle. It makes no sense whatsoever to support this Blue Dog bill that gives Bush everything he could want while at the same time giving the GOP the opportunity to demonize the Democratic Party.

For reasons only MYDD can explain, they are whipping Dem members to get them to support this travesty. I strongly oppose their efforts and urge just the opposite.

The Out of Iraq Caucus membership is provided on the flip. Since the GOP will oppose this bill, the Out of Iraq Caucus can stop this bill, a terrible bill, from becoming law. If you agree with me, contact your Congressperson and let them know.

The Out of Iraq Caucus:

The following are founding members of the Out of Iraq Caucus:
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Chair, Co-Founder
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), Co-Founder

Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Co-Founder

Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Co-Founder

Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Co-Founder

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Co-Founder

Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.), Co-Founder

Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Co-Founder
The remaining members of the caucus (for the 110th Congress) include:
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)

Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)

Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.)

Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)

Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.)

Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.)

Rep. Julia Carson (D-Ind.)

Rep. Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)

Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.)

Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)

Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.)

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.)

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.)

Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.)

Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.)

Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.)

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.)

Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)

Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.)

Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)

Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.)

Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas)

Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.)

Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas)

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio)

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio)

Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Mich.)

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)

Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.)

Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.)

Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.)

Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.)

Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.)

Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.)

Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.)

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.)

Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.)

Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.)

Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-D.C.)

Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.)

Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.)

Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)

Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.)

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.)

Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.)

Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)

Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)

Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.)

Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.)

Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.)

Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.)

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)

Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.)
Rep. Ed Towns (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.)
Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.)

*Membership for the 110th Congress was provided by the office of Caucus Chair Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), 01/23/2007.

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Urge The Out of Iraq Caucus To Oppose The Supplemental Iraq Funding Bill | 23 comments (23 topical)

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Paved with good intentions (5.00 / 2) (#1)
by CA JAY on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:30:58 PM EST

by Barry Rubin is one of my favorite books about Middle East/US relations and the title applies to what the folks are doing at MY DD in regards to this supplemental.

Bush has proven the past 6 years he can't be trusted on anything and he has no intention of ending the debacle in Iraq. The politics of contrast (your 1860 example) is the way to go on this issue. It is a balck and white issue.

: Binary issue (5.00 / 1) (#4)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:39:07 PM EST

For the Debacle or against it.
IT is that simple.

Yes I will (5.00 / 2) (#2)
by leoncarre on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:33:55 PM EST

But I want to send them the alternative... and it's yours. Direct me to the most concise piece you have written on defunding, and your plan, and I will sent it to these reps immediamente.

The eseence is this (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:37:57 PM EST

The essence is this:

In reality there are two positions available now -for ending the Debacle or for continuing it. Woolsey supports ending it. Putnam supports the Debacle. It is that simple. And the choice is binary. Because President George W. Bush makes it so. As Woolsey says, Bush listens to no one, except Cheney.

Many ask 'so what is a Democratic Congress to do?' With Mitch McConnell promising filibusters to all attempts to revoke the Iraq AUMF, cap troop levels and to cut funding for the Iraq Debacle, what is it I am asking of the Democratic Congress?

Let me explain again - I ask for three things: First, announce NOW that the Democratic Congress will NOT fund the Iraq Debacle after a date certain. You pick the date. Whatever works politically. If October 2007 is the date Dems can agree to, then let it be then. If March 2008, then let that be the date; Second, spend the year reminding the President and the American People every day that Democrats will not fund the war past the date certain; Third, do NOT fund the Iraq Debacle PAST the date certain.

Some argue we will never have the votes for this. That McConnell will filibuster, that Bush will veto. To them I say I KNOW. But filbustering and vetoing does not fund the Iraq Debacle. Let me repeat, to end the war in Iraq, the Democratic Congress does not have to pass a single bill; they need only NOT pass bills that fund the Iraq Debacle.

But but but, defund the whole government? Defund the whole military? What if Bush does not pull out the troops? First, no, not defund the government, defund the Iraq Debacle. If the Republicans choose to shut down government in order to force the continuation of the Iraq Debacle, do not give in. Fight the political fight. We'll win. Second, defund the military? See answer to number one. Third, well, if you tell the American People what is coming for a year, and that Bush is on notice, that i t will be Bush abandoning the troops in Iraq, we can win that politcal battle too.

Understand this, if you want to end the Iraq Debacle, this is the only way until Bush is not President. If you are not for this for ending the war, tell me what you do support. I think this is the only way. And if you shy away from the only way to end the Debacle, then you really are not for ending the war are you?


For a time (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by andgarden on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:40:59 PM EST

I was sure that Pelosi agreed with you. It will be interesting to see if, say, Murtha votes for this bill. I'd say there's a 50/50 shot.


: The Out of Iraq Caucus (5.00 / 2) (#8)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:46:55 PM EST

has a chance here to make THEIR statement - that they must be part of the negotiation.
IF they vote for this, they destroy their influence.

Woolsey, Waters, Reid, or Lee? (5.00 / 1) (#13)
by leoncarre on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:02:31 PM EST

I ask for three things: First, announce NOW that the Democratic Congress will NOT fund the Iraq Debacle after a date certain. You pick the date. (Whatever works politically.) If October 2007 is the date Dems can agree to, then let it be then. If March 2008, then let that be the date; Second, spend the year reminding the President and the American People every day that Democrats will not fund the war past the date certain; Third, do NOT fund the Iraq Debacle PAST the date certain.
if you want to end the Iraq Debacle, this is the only way until Bush is not President

So tell me, BTD, Is it Woolsey, Waters, Reid, or Lee?

If the Dems do not move now, it becomes THEIR war.. their inheritance from the Bush years... and from Nov 2008 all the mistakes belong to the Dems. The only way I can understand the present dilema is that it is Bush's war, the Republican's war... their mess, and the Dems are the clean up crew.

The alternative if they do nothing, or less than a complete job at this point is BACKLASH... no matter what the resolution in Iraq in the coming years, an international backlash against the US from the Muslim world... without regard for which party and what leader illegally invaded in the first place. Re: Annan in September of 2004.. "The war in Iraq is illegal."


Do this as an OpED piece (none / 0) (#23)
by vcmvo2 on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 10:58:47 PM EST

Lay it out exactly like this. send it to KO and have him interview you about it, Get it out where people will see it...Do It! If you won't, I will It's too important to ignore!


Yes! Progressives are the largest block. (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by Edger on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:39:43 PM EST

For reasons only MYDD can explain, they are whipping Dem members to get them to support this travesty.

I'm not surprised. They're desperate for power but misreading the people.

I strongly oppose their efforts and urge just the oppposite.

You're not quite as extreme centrist (to coin a phrase) as they are.

Heh (5.00 / 2) (#7)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:45:43 PM EST

Angry Centrist who opposes the Iraq Debacle and wants THIS Congress, not the next one, to end it.


Extreme Centrist? (5.00 / 2) (#9)
by Edger on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:48:18 PM EST

Walking talking paradox. ;-)


Not really a Paradox (5.00 / 2) (#10)
by squeaky on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:55:16 PM EST

Just think garbage disposal, storm drain, or nuclear waste center.


: Hey!!! (5.00 / 1) (#11)
by Edger on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:00:40 PM EST

I'm at work. And now everybody is wondering what the hell I'm laughing at so loudly! Jeeze.

I've spent my life in marketing & sales (5.00 / 2) (#16)
by Edger on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:12:18 PM EST

whipping Dem members to get them to support this travesty

Is the same thing a business with a worthless product has to do to get people to buy it.

The problem is with the product. Not with the customers.


It would be good (5.00 / 1) (#12)
by andgarden on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:01:07 PM EST

to sweep this bill off the table and try again. If the Progressive Caucus gets united against this, they get to write the next version.

The Republicans (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by Ben Masel on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:04:42 PM EST

Why are you so certain they'll more or less unanimously oppose this bill?

I can see them figuring cash in hand is worth strings they can finesse, ignore, or try to repeal later.

Besides, there's several (Ryan of WI) who've remarked they're willing to give the occupation "one last chance."

Cuz they said so (none / 0) (#15)
by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:12:08 PM EST

well... (none / 0) (#17)
by Ben Masel on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:49:11 PM EST

That's putting a lot of faith in a) their word, and b) the leadership's ability to keep them in line, with a lot less to offer than they had last year.


: If the democratic leadership (none / 0) (#20)
by Edger on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 07:02:01 PM EST

has such a hard time dealing with being called names by rethugs, how easy do you think it would be for republicans?

Wouldn't it be better (5.00 / 1) (#19)
by bx58 on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 06:14:40 PM EST

to just admit Israel as the fifty-first state?

We'd get some tax dollars back, the Arabs wouldn't screw with "us" anymore and we wouldn't have this obscene game of political charades.

The worst part of our continued support for the Jewish State is the fact that they're a foreign country. You just can't have your political leaders so beholden to foreign governments.

I'm not BS'n you.It might be tongue in cheek but something needs to be done.

strategy (5.00 / 1) (#21)
by pyrrho on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 07:11:17 PM EST

it's the strategy I don't understand... do they WANT war that much that they can't recognize obvious political facts? I mean, the excuse of fear just doesn't always wash and this is one of those times.

I know part of it is the refusal to think that America can ever be a bad influence... e.g. Hunter of dkos basically saying it's bad but you can't just "abandon" Iraq.

Kind of like a rapist saying, "I can't just abandon her now"... Yeah, she won't be thankful, but staying won't fix that.

FY 2007 Bogus supplemental fantasy (none / 0) (#18)
by walt on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 06:00:20 PM EST

My representative is not on a defense-related committee & is not part of the Out of Iraq caucus. So I e-mailed this:

"I would like for you to oppose the so-called "FY 2007 Supplemental Iraq Funding Bill." The Democratic Party Out of Iraq Caucus may vote against this bill because it does not do anything to end the war in Iraq--in fact, it extends some appropriations out as far as 2010 [excuse me, does the Constitution prohibit military spending for more than 2 years, or not?], which is the opposite of ending this insane blunder of an occupation in Iraq.

Millions of US citizens worked hard & made political campaign contributions to elect Democratic Party members in 2006. An incredible percentage of Americans oppose this phony war & the occupation, and almost all of them want us out now. I am curious as to what part of this mandate is not apparent to representatives & senators? Now means now, not 2010. I have the sense that Democrats are going to fiddle as Baghdad explodes & burns.

It would impress me if you would take the time to contact Rep. Woolsey & Rep. Waters & make the decision to cooperate with them to get the armed forces of the United States out of Iraq, post haste.

Thank you."

I am genuinely confused as to what members of congress are thinking. The opinion polls are so heavily in favor of abandoning Iraq that it's a no-brainer. Are all the rep.s & sen.s being bought & paid for, co-opted, drugged? This is beginning to look like bizarro-world.

Will do (none / 0) (#22)
by vcmvo2 on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 10:45:31 PM EST

Elijah cummins is my conressperson since my real one zzzzzroscoe Bartlett is a wing-nut, He always answers me but he never votes the way I want.

What to do, What to do ? Should I write all the listed congresspeople and ask for their support evev though i'm not a constituent?

Keep pushing ,email, calll their offices- Be polite but firm! Go to work!