Dems are withholding senority from Cynthia McKinney

[donsu]

http://www.counterpunch.com/donham12092004.html


Why Do the Dems Want to Deny Her Seniority?
Condi Rice vs. Cynthia McKinney


George Bush has nominated Condoleezza Rice to be his next Secretary of State and Cynthia McKinney has been reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives. For one, I'd love to see Rice go head to head on US foreign policy with Congressowman-elect Cynthia McKinney. But the only way any of us can see that happen is for Cynthia to regain her service and seniority on the House International Relations Committee (HIRC), which has jurisdiction over the State Department and our country's foreign policy. I can't think of any reason why the Democratic leadership wouldn't want this.

And McKinney is perfectly suited to the task. She served on the International Relations Committee for ten years and the Armed Services Committee for four years. She studied International Relations at the University of Southern California and at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. She has been accepted into the Berkeley Ph.D. program. McKinney is perfectly positioned by experience and education to raise serious security issues that are on the minds of all Americans today.

In a recent article "Many Rice Defenders Hypocritical," (Madison, WI
"Capitol Times") John Nichols points out that "right-wing political operatives and their allies in major media--as well as conservative Democrats" battered McKinney to election defeat in 2002 because she dared to ask tough questions about what was known by the Bush Administration prior to the attacks of September 11th. However, January 4, 2005, McKinney will return to Congress, having overcome this opposition with impressive grassroots support, and showing that a successful campaign can be run with little money and lots of heart. With her seniority intact, McKinney will be able to challenge important Bush initiatives because she would resume her seat among the top-tiered Democrats on the HIRC and as the Democrats' highest ranking member on an important HIRC subcommittee. McKinney would also be able to continue her important service on the Armed Services Committee where she questioned select Pentagon contracts with the Carlyle Group, Halliburton, and DynPort; $2.3 trillion in lost Pentagon cash; and the breath-taking Bush Doctrine of preemptive war. This would provide a critical counterbalance to the overly heavy influence of those neo-conservatives that dragged us into the unwise war with Iraq.

The response to McKinney's return to Congress from her district, progressives across the country, individual Members and Congressional staffers has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. The failure of Pelosi and other Democratic leaders to quickly restore McKinney's seniority suggests that they are out of touch with their constituents, and are bucking history. When Congressional leadership wants to help a congressperson who has reclaimed a lost seat, or even switched parties, they certainly can and have done so. Take these examples.

-snip-

Cynthia McKinney deserves her seniority. It was only because of the relentless attacks and organized and well funded smear campaign from the extreme right who wanted to silence her questions that she lost the two years of her seat that she did. This year she ran a great campaign, beating out a half dozen really great candidates by winning over 50% in the primary--a real sign of grassroots support in her district. And she did it without spending a lot of money in relative terms for a congressional race. She should be rewarded for this to the fullest, not penalized.
---------------------------------------


so, Nancy P. what's up with you dems?

[David Dunham]

1. It's because of McKinney's anit-Israel positions, and her father's too

[donsu]

2. aahhh I see - they are cowards

nt

[genius]

4. In other words she doesn't like seeing Palestinean children massacred..

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. You got it!

------------------------------------
Would Jesus love a liberal? You bet!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[lalajohns]

6. STOP lying on McKinney and her Daddy

How many times does she have to say that she is NOT anti-Israel

[drdon326]

21. Damn right.....

they just dont like "J-E-W-S"

[msgadget]

30. Without starting an argument,

can't someone be willing to listen to Palestinians without being anti-semitic?

[ChairOne]

60. be serious....

Of course it's absolutely impossible to:

(a) respect other religions without attacking christianity,

(b) respect homosexuals without attacking marriage,

(c) respect black people without reverse discriminating,

(d) disagree with bush without hating America, and

(e) yes, it is absolutely 100% impossible to listen to Palestinians without being anti-semitic.

Sheesh - what planet are you from?

lol

[G_j]

62. good one!

and welcome to DU!

[ChairOne]

64. thanks gj! /eom

[msgadget]

72. Almost had me there!

:hi: Welcome, from one newbie to another!

[Sterling]

42. Thats funny because it was Jew who introduced me to her.

A jew that she seemed to like quite a bit. She is a great lady.

[CatWoman]

67. he posts that same lame drivel

in each and every Cynthia McKinney thread.

[CatWoman]

65. and some of you don't like the

t-r-u-t-h.

[LiberalAndProud]

44. Please cite source for this accusation.

What anti-Israel positions has she taken?

[dazeconf]

73. we could use a few politicians willing to listen to the palestinian side

of things. I'm Jewish, I love Israel, and want the best for the country. However, I don't think that the Bush method of supporting or failing to criticize anything the Israeli govt. does accomplishes anything, other than breeding hatred among Palestinians. The Clinton method of listening to both sides and taking hands-on action worked much better. Remember that Ariel Sharon and the Israeli govt. have detractors within Israel... he didn't exactly get 100% of the vote.

[genius]

3. Pelosi is a Republican at heart. Real Democrats scare her.

[knight_of_the_star]

5. Dem leadership seems to be lacking spine

Hopefully Sen. Reid will step up to the plate, but I think Pelosi was too much of being from the same mold as Daschle, except she doesn't have to worry about a hostile constituency.

[TankLV]

59. "Hopefully Sen. Reid will step up to the plate."

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Oh, you mean you're SERIOUS?!?!

[Hippo_Tron]

75. My hope is that Sen Reid does step up or that he is a COMPLETE failure...

Because in the later case, Durbin is next in line.

[ikojo]

79. Reid will step up to the plate

BUSH's plate.

No improvement over the spineless Daschle that's for sure.

[bemildred]

7. Seniority has always been a shuck-and-jive deal to control who gets power.

They respect seniority when it suits them and ignore it when it doesn't.
It has always been this way.
The "seniority rules" are spun out of thin air.

[Blue Wally]

10. What are the precedents?????

How has the Democratic Caucus in the House dealt with seniority issues in the past when a member has a "break in service"??? Don't howl before you know all of the facts.

[bemildred]

11. The precedents are that they assign chairmanships to whomever they like,

and blame it on "seniority rules" when they can.
Do supply me with "facts".

[msgadget]

13. Here are some

From the same article:

>Similar precedent exists within the Democratic Party. Jane Harman, Representative from the State of California, was granted her seniority upon returning to Congress. In 1998, Rep. Harman decided to forgo campaigning for another term in the U.S. House and opted to run for the Gubernatorial seat of California; unfortunately she was unsuccessful. In 2000, Harman returned to Congress with her previous three term seniority intact. "Harman owes her ranking status on the subcommittee to a promise she extracted from the Democratic leaders when they recruited her to run against Republican Rep. Steve Kuykendall in 2000." (The Daily Breeze-December 30, 2001)

Representative David Price from North Carolina lost his bid for re-election in 1994; upon his return to Congress in 1996, Price assumed a seat on a much sought after exclusive committee, with support from the Democratic leadership.<

[G_j]

15. very upsetting

I am fuming. :mad:

[Sterling]

43. I am a McKinney Democrat

If there is a riff between the two I will take her side. If she is in the party I am a Dem. If she gets shafted by the party I am out.

[G_j]

53. yes

I pretty much feel the same way.
Cynthia and just a handful of others are the only connection I feel to the Dem party.
Can anyone forget the heartbreaking clip in F-9/11 of the Congressional Black Caucus desperately trying to gain the support of just ONE Senator?

[genius]

9. It was pointed out to me today that Pelosi's actions are racist.

She is violating standard established procedure to avoid allowing a respected African American to get her seniority back. Apparently Pelosi's actions are very out of the ordinary.

[goclark]

41. Pelosi needs to honor McKinney

in every way that she can.


African Americans delivered for Kerry and have supported the Democratic party in overwhelming numbers.

Our votes have been suppressed and now our leaders are being suppressed by our own Party!

Enough of this, I am furious!

[Laughing Mirror]

50. Yep

Pelosi should, but even though African American voters helped put her in power, she won't do anything for McKinney. Pelosi's in it for Pelosi. That is quite clear.

[Cookie wookie]

12. Contact dems in Congress

telling them that we want them to restore her seniority, as they have done for others, and as she deserves. We need her there fighting for us!! And she will, but we also need for her to have as much power as possible to be heard.

[ConsAreLiars]

16. Contact your Reps via this link:

http://www.house.gov/writerep/

Just a short message will do.

[RBHam]

14. Pelosi is an NWO insider...

She's been promised a room in the bunker when Armageddon comes...

[madfloridian]

17. They won't tolerate tolerance toward Palestine. Read this letter.

That is a shame what they are doing to her, but it is not surprising.
Here is the letter they sent Howard Dean when he tried to talk in a fair manner about not taking sides.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
September 10, 2003

The Honorable Howard Dean
P.O. Box 1228
Burlington, VT 05402

Dear Governor Dean:

We are writing to respond to your comments on the Middle East at a recent
campaign event and in Tuesday's candidate debate and explain why we believe
it is wrong to say the U.S. should "not take sides" in the
Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

American foreign policy has been - and must continue to be - based on
unequivocal support for Israel's right to exist and to be free from terror.
The Palestinians have at best been ambivalent about their willingness to
accept Israel's existence and from Yasir Arafat on down they have promoted
or acquiesced in the use of terrorism as a tactic in their struggle. It is
unacceptable for the U.S. to be "evenhanded" on these fundamental issues.

All of us want a genuine peace process to succeed, and all of us accept the
legitimacy of a Palestinian state once the Palestinian leadership and people
recognize Israel's right to exist as a Jewish state and not only renounce
the use of violence but at last take action to dismantle the terrorist
infrastructure inside the Palestinian Authority. Time and time again, the
Israeli people have shown their willingness to take risks for peace. But
they will only do so with the knowledge that U.S. support for Israel will
not waver.

It is important for America to help facilitate a peaceful resolution of the
conflict, but in playing this role we must be true to our values and make
sure that all parties clearly understand our policies. This is not a time to
be sending mixed messages; on the contrary, in these difficult times we must
reaffirm our unyielding commitment to Israel's survival and raise our voices
against all forms of terrorism and incitement.

Sincerely,

Howard L. Berman
Nancy Pelosi
Robert Matsui
Steny Hoyer
Martin Frost
Nita Lowey
Tom Lantos
Edward Markey
Chet Edwards
Ben Cardin
Steve Rothman
Steve Israel
Gary Ackerman
Barney Frank
Rahn Emanuel
Adam Smith
Anthony Weiner
Chris Bell
Adam Schiff
Hilda Solis
Robert Menendez
Shelley Berkley
Robert Andrews
Joseph Crowley
Jose Serrano
John Larson
Ellen Tauscher
Dennis Cardoza
Patrick Kennedy
Linda Sanchez
Harold Ford Jr.
Brad Sherman
C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger
Alcee Hastings


http://www.house.gov/berman/letter_new.html

[msgadget]

18. I found similar sentiments regarding

McKinney at sights on the internet from her prior run but I can't find them today. But, while googling around in search of them I found this site, which makes much of her 'many Arab supporters':
http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/290

[madfloridian]

19. Pipes is a dangerous guy, really, He is a campus watch leader.

He provides way for College Republicans to sue professors who speak too liberally. Scary stuff.

[drdon326]

22. Holy Spit !! They signed that ??

Good...its high time the democratic party reasserted itself for support of democratic state of israel...and not play into states that allow/support/ignore terrorism.

Thanks for posting.

[THUNDER HANDS]

23. if they really supported israel

they'd try some tough love with it instead of bending over and loving it longtime.

Israel as a country is basically a child, and every now and then a child needs to be punished for its behavior.

If we never punish Israel, then it'll never learn how to stop doing the things that piss the rest of the world off.

Well, maybe. I think the world will always hate Israel because its an apartheid state - the middle eastern version of South Africa.

[drdon326]

24. Horseshit.

You want to "punish" someone??

Start with states that support terrorism....then go the PA that has allowed palestinian terrorists to commit murder, atrocities and incitement to genocide.

Here's a quarter....get on an israeli bus, oh brave one.

[THUNDER HANDS]

26. bravery has nothing to do with it

We both want the same thing, peace in that area. But if we try to be negotiators and Israel's best friend, its never going to work.

Personally, I don't think there will ever be peace there. I think both sides would like to push eachother out into the sea.

On top of that, I don't see how you can have a Palestinian state when is two main areas of control aren't even connected to eachother.

Add to that the fact that Palestinians will outnumber Israelis in 20 years and you have a big big problem.

Now, unless Israel wants to get all Nazi on the Palestinians and systematically exterminate them to secure itself as a Jewish state - its gonna have to grow up and deal with the fact that it won't get everything it wants.

Its going to have to dismantle its settlements. Its going to have to give the Palestinians access to the drinking water its currently trying to siphen off, in addition to other things.

Now, it would be easy to say the Palestinians have to do certain things too, but the reality is, there't nobody who represents them. Israel has destroyed whatever power structure they had and foced terrorist groups like Hamas to assume humanitarian and social services control.

You want to stop terrorists? Stop making them the defacto government of the people who live next to.

That's what it means to punish Israel. Slap it in the face and tell it to WAKE THE FUCK UP and realize you can't negotiate with people when you're killing the very people who provide them with food and money and housing.

Oh, and you challenge me to get on an Israeli bus? Is that supposed to let me know that its dangerous over there. Maybe you should try living in a Palestinian ghetto and have Israeli tanks drive down your block.

Personally, I say a pox on both their houses. I'm a reform Jew, which means I don't have some grand notion that god wants me to live in Israel, so I'm not going to pack my kids up (if I had kids) and move away from the safety and comfort of America and kick some Palestinian family off their land so that I can move in.

Bottom line - peace there is hopeless, so is arguing about this shit. I hate Israel-Palestine arguments because they go nowhere and accomplish nothing.

If I was president I'd tell both sides I was dropping a bomb on a wall and the dome and just be done with it. Stupid freakin' religious zombies - all of them. Stupid fundamentalist left Behind Christians supporting military-escaping fundamentalist jews fighting burn-all-jews muslims.

A pox on all their houses I say.

-end of rant-

[ldf]

51. great rant!

:thumbsup:

and i agree completely.

[foo_bar]

61. I like your foreign policy plan

If I was president I'd tell both sides I was dropping a bomb on a wall and the dome and just be done with it.

That's it, back to 5000 BC! Try a better Creation myth this time.

[G_j]

27. how many of the signers

showed concern over the US backed coup in Haiti?
..Oh thats right it sends "mixed messages" to be "evenhanded" in foreign policy. Anyone of us could make a long list of American hypocrisy in the world. Many of these folks supported invading Iraq over WMD and Iraq's non-compliance with UN resolutions.
It seems to me Iraq was far from alone in this regard.
:shrug:

[Crago]

68. And why hasn't any politician....

...denounced Israeli spying on the US? First Jonathan Pollard and now AIPAC. Why Arnet they calling for them to be locked up? They spied on America and the politician line up for the blood money and checks.

[G_j]

20. kick

[AngryAmish]

25. This is unreconstructed racism

Is she denied her seniority just because she has the gall to speak her mind? Doesn't she know her place?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

34. it isn't racism...

it is because she is seen by many (even in her own district) as a whack-job...placing her immediately back into the seats of power on those committees based on her LOST seniority will not help the democrats in the house.

Whether you like her or not, she often makes unfounded charges and is seen as a 'loose cannon'. She would immediately become the new whipping-boy (well, ok, woman) of the right in congress ... trotting out her outrageous statements and holding them up to say, "Look, THIS is the Democratic Party." Many will hear them...and many will agree.

theProdigal

[G_j]

36. she was right

"McKinney would also be able to continue her important service on the Armed Services Committee where she questioned select Pentagon contracts with the Carlyle Group, Halliburton, and DynPort; $2.3 trillion in lost Pentagon cash; and the breath-taking Bush Doctrine of preemptive war."

these are not wild accusations..

[ProdigalJunkMail]

37. definitely not all of them

but it only takes a few to ruin someone's effectiveness. And, while this admin may HAVE known prior to 9-11 that it was coming...standing in the well of the House, hinting quite clearly at it, and then having nothing to back it up...well, THAT sort of stuff tears down all the good work she might otherwise do...

theProdigal

[G_j]

38. then possibly

you might find it worth while to back up your own statements (highlighted)?

it is because she is seen by many (even in her own district) as a whack-job...placing her immediately back into the seats of power on those committees based on her LOST seniority will not help the democrats in the house.

Whether you like her or not, she often makes unfounded charges and is seen as a 'loose cannon'. She would immediately become the new whipping-boy (well, ok, woman) of the right in congress ... trotting out her outrageous statements and holding them up to say, "Look, THIS is the Democratic Party." Many will hear them...and many will agree.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

39. well, let's see

i used to live in her district so that is first hand knowledge that cannot be backed up via web links...

and the charges about the administration knowing about the 9-11 attacks beforehand and then having nothing to back it up...well, that one is pretty well known...

and while it is not a charge, her writing to accept the $10million from the Saudi prince that our government turned down...yeah...that didn't piss a lot of people off, did it?

Never mind that i lived there. Never mind the public backlash those things caused...i must just be talking out of my ass.

theProdigal

[G_j]

40. thanks

In particular I am wary of people referring to her as whack-job. I am very sceptical of people passing along derogatory 'memes' just as has been done with others in the Dem party who part from the script. I watched this happen with both Kucinich and Dean among others.

Since you live in her district and you referred to what some in her district think of her, I will accept that some others may think the way you do.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

45. some do, but please don't think ALL

i just wish that the excellent work she does do was not overshadowed by the power of the few things she does in the media that resonate so with those who would be her opponents. She could just be MUCH more effective it weren't for the way her own words are used to attack her...taken out of context, as they sometimes are.

theProdigal

PS : I USED to live in her district...it is possible that she is better received there now after a couple of years of Denise Majette...

[Laughing Mirror]

55. Where did Cynthia McKinney say the administration knew about 9-11

Please provide a verifiable source.

[G_j]

56. McKinney never said it. (see #54) n/t

[Laughing Mirror]

57. I know she didn't

That's why I asked.

[G_j]

58. the question

jogged my memory, but to be sure I dug up Palast's article.
This is why I think it is important that folks on DU 'demand' links and resources. :toast:

[TankLV]

63. Yeah - like all her "outrageous statements" concerning WMD, the illegal

bush* "war" (except when it isn't a "war" - like for proper treatment of POWs, and other human rights).

Yeah, she's soooo outrageous.

SHE'S A FUCKING HERO!

Especially when compared to the OUTRAGEOUS STATEMENTS by bunkerboy and some posters here!

[Hippo_Tron]

76. Tom DeLay is also a loose cannon, he's majority leader...

And they are in the majority. We need to take a lesson from our opponents because THEY ARE WINNING.

[charlie]

28. Well, who *didn't* see that coming?

Everyone stampeded from her like she was radioactive in the spring of 2002. We had the usual bunch around here squalling that she'd cost the Democrats the mid-term elections. Too many in the party believe that they'll never be able to effectively take on Bush if one of their own, um... takes on Bush.

[msgadget]

29. Really?

I wasn't here then so I have no idea. Hmmm, so what was it that made people here at DU nervous?

Perhaps dems weren't as desperate then for a loud mouth truth teller as they are now...?

[G_j]

31. it was only 'some'

here. Cynthia is also very well respected at DU from my experience.
I think some of the 'critics' have had the same mindset about many other issues as well. We have also had many people who were afraid of protests because they might make us look bad to Joe Six-Pack.
They are welcome to their opinions of course, though I very much disagree with the 'play it safe' approach.

In general I think McKinney has been supported here.

[msgadget]

32. Thank you,

DU has great diversity, unlike other sites online. ;)

[G_j]

33. there was plenty of 'heated discussion'

to say the least! But of course that demonstrates our diversity as you say.

McKinney in particular is a lightning rod.
Personally, I love the woman. She gave me hope when others were silent. She asked questions that nobody else would ask. She also responded to a letter I wrote her in person (a hand written letter)
In years of writing politicians, that had never happened before.



Her seniority is a crucial issue IMO. We NEED her!

[KG]

35. racism and misogyny are alive and well in the US and the dem party.

[Doomsayer13]

46. That's what you get for pissing off leadership

honestly, Sam Rayburn said it best - you gotta go along to get along. McKinney has chosen her path and she has to walk it, sad as it sounds.

[ShaneGR]

47. This whole articles premise is actually false, unfortunately

The ranking Democrat on the International Relations Committee is actually Tom Lantos. Congressman Lantos is the senior Democrat on the International Relations committee and was elected to Congress and placed in that committee long McKinney was elected the first time around.

[charlie]

48. No, it's not

It's not about replacing Lantos. She wants to resume her seniority ranking within the committee and the subcommittees she sat on two years ago, not leapfrog to the top.

[ShaneGR]

70. Ok, who are the individuals ahead of her??

Seriously, that's the part that's not being discussed in this thread.

[charlie]

71. Why?

She's not going to pass over anyone senior to her. If she's regarded as a freshman, everyone but other newbies are ahead of her. What's the problem with assigning her positions based on her 5 consecutive terms and x number of years she's served on committees?

[ecstatic]

49. Republicans seem to be better w/ racial diversity

in positions *that matter.*

[msgadget]

52. It's good marketing.

[G_j]

54. Greg Palast: "The Screwing of Cynthia McKinney"

This is for the consideration of those who might repeat some of the misinformation as we discuss McKinney's seniority.


http://www.gregpalast.com/detail.cfm?artid=229&row=1

The Screwing of Cynthia McKinney

By Greg Palast, AlterNet
Wednesday, June 18, 2003

Have you heard about Cynthia McKinney, former U.S. Congresswoman?



According to those quoted on National Public Radio, McKinney’s “a loose cannon” (media expert) who “the people of Atlanta are embarrassed and disgusted” (politician) by, and she is also “loony” and “dangerous” (senator from her own party).


Yow! And why is McKinney dangerous/loony/disgusting? According to NPR, “McKinney implied that the Administration knew in advance about September 11 and deliberately held back the information.”


The New York Times’ Lynette Clemetson revealed her comments went even further over the edge: “Ms. McKinney suggest that President Bush might have known about the September 11 attacks but did nothing so his supporters could make money in a war.”


That’s loony, all right. As an editor of the highly respected Atlanta Journal Constitution told NPR, McKinney’s “practically accused the President of murder!”


Problem is, McKinney never said it.


..more..

[TankLV]

66. But is she had, she'd have already been proven right.

What WAS the title of that daily breefing again? (not to mention all the other reports and confidential memos that have been leaked!)

[goclark]

69. Cynthia McKinney makes more sense than Pelosi

All Pelosi does is act like a Republican.

She is making me expremely tired of her already and I want to support her as a woman.

She has no guts!

No guts - no glory!

[msgadget]

77. Good lookin' out

It didn't matter whether she said it or not, honestly, but this is why politics doesn't work for us, the voters.

[mattclearing]

74. People who pooh-pooh purges should think about this, cause some Dems

are already doing it.

[morgan2]

78. this is exactly what is wrong with the demcorats

The republican leaders protect and encourage their fringe candidates. They are lead by people on the far right, so they are always pushing in that direction. The democrats shun and attempt to hide their fringe. They are led by centrists and never push to the left.

[Q]

80. It wasn't just the 'extreme right' that trashed McKinney...

...Many on the Democratic side did it as well. They went along with the Right in labeling her as everything from 'crazy' to anti-American.

Let's put the blame where it belongs: on both sides of the fence.

[Padraig18]

81. What are the caucus rules as regards 'seniority'?

Do they say that someone re-elected after an absence from the House automatically receive credit for their former terms, or not? If they DO, then yes, they are unfairly denying her her seniority; if they don't, then they aren't unfairly denying her her seniority.

[msgadget]

82. In the article and #13 in this thread

[Sara Beverley]

83. The Israeli lobby has a stranglehold on our government and media.

There is just no getting around it. It's devious and subtle but very effective. Anyone who tries to show any kind of balance or sympathy for the Palestinians is smeared and somehow ruined.