PDA Statement on the Iraq Vote

[Kevin Spidel]

June 22, 2006

Thirteen democratic senators voted today in favor of the Kerry-Feingold bill, a proposal that would require the administration to bring all combat troops home from Iraq by July 1, 2007. A second, non-binding resolution that urged the administration to begin withdrawing troops, but did not have a timetable, failed 60-39, mostly along party lines.

Progressive Democrats of America Executive Director Tim Carpenter made the following statement on today’s senate votes on Iraq.

“We support the thirteen Democrats who today had the courage to vote for an end to the war in Iraq and the 39 who voted to begin withdrawing troops by year’s end. This was an important step towards bringing the troops home. The Senate is now on record for withdrawal.

“Progressive Democrats have been out in front on this issue from the very beginning, and we’re happy to see so many of our fellow Democrats joining us.

“Despite what the national media is saying that today’s vote signals an endorsement of the Bush Administration’s Iraq policy, we believe the tide is turning. The American people have grown tired of the Republican Party’s failed stay-the-course strategy and more and more Democrats are realizing the Iraq war was a mistake from the beginning and cannot be fixed.

“Like a broken record, Republicans are clinging to the same failed strategy while the lives of our young troops are at risk. The American people will hold them accountable in the November elections. Meanwhile, Progressive Democrats of America continues to hold accountable those Democrats who have still not come around on Iraq.

“PDA is also working at the state level of the Democratic Party to pass resolutions to end the war, and we’re lobbying Capitol Hill on no permanent bases in Iraq and the McGovern bill, which will cut off additional funding for the Iraq war and redirect that money back home.

[babylonsister]

1. Go, PDA! I sincerely hope the tide is turning! nt