Letter from Bill Nelson on Gonzalez and my response

[imenja]

(I searched the forums to see if anyone else had posted this letter from Bill Nelson, and I didn't find it. I hope this isn't a repeat. )

This is the letter I received from Senator Bill Nelson (Fla) on the very day of his vote to confirm Alberto Gonzalez. You'll note it is evasive. You'll note he does not convey his intention to vote to confirm.

"Thank you for contacting me regarding the nomination of Alberto
Gonzales for Attorney General.

As you know, the Senate Judiciary Committee recently held a hearing on the nomination of Judge Gonzales. During the hearing, he answered questions concerning his role as White House Counsel. Further, the committee will examine pertinent documents as part of the review process. I also will conduct a thorough review and inquiry into Judge Gonzales' qualifications, integrity, and record. During these trying times, the Attorney General has the enormous responsibility of enforcing our nation's laws and combating enemies at home and abroad without diminishing our
precious civil liberties.

Please know that I will keep your thoughts in mind as his
nomination proceeds through the Senate. Your communication helps me better serve the people of Florida."

The letter I wrote today in response:

"Senator Nelson:

I am disappointed in your vote to confirm Alberto Gonzalez as Attorney General and every more disappointed in the letter you sent me via e-mail the day of the vote. Your letter seemed purposefully vague, did not convey your intention to vote to confirm, or the reasons why. As a constituent who voiced my concerns about the nomination, I deserve better. Since roll call votes are public record, they are easily verified. Sending letters that evade the issues at hand and your intended actions is unacceptable. You must have the courage to make your positions plain and articulate the
reasons for them. Your letter did the opposite.

I cannot help but wonder if your reluctance to voice your position on the vote suggests that you knew you were voting against American principles of freedom and moral decency. As a nation that promises to promote liberty and democracy, how can we sanction torture? How could you agree to vote for a man who helped construct the convoluted legal opinion authorizing our intelligence and military officials to engage in torture? America is better than the face put forward by the Bush administration and Alberto Gonzalez. We as Americans deserve a government that holds itself to the principles it espouses. I am profoundly saddened by your vote and your efforts to hide your approval of an official unfit to serve as our nation's chief law enforcement official. "

[asjr]

1. Excellent reply. It hurts to see a dem vote for that man.

Repubs stick together. So should Democrats.

[Career Prole]

2. That was an excellent response on your part.

Very well written! :thumbsup:

[imenja]

3. thanks !

[gottaB]

4. I'm still depressed

Imagine a commiseration smiley.

I understand that John McCain's Viet Cong tormentors broke every one of his teeth. Must have hurt. Ted Samply never forgave him for that, but McCain effectively forgave Ted Samply. And forgot.

Me, I'm still depressed.

[MasonJar]

5. Isn't Nelson also against Chavez? He pointedly asked Condi a

question with the intention of telling her to get rid of Chavez.

[flordehinojos]

6. Bill Nelson is a weather vane whose pros and cons depend on what the

voting hispanic community in the iami area forecast... if they like a guy, you can be sure, he will vote for the guy, if they don't like a guy and want him out of his elected office, you can bet nelson is going to support the ousting of the duly elected representative if it pleases the narcissistic hispanic community in miami. the guy or lady (imenja) who started this thread and told nelson off is absolutely and completely right about nelson. you go imenja!

[Orangepeel]

12. he's not worried only about Cubans in Miami

there is a large and growing Hispanic population across Florida. In particular, the Puerto Rican community in Central Florida is vital to his re-election.

[imenja]

14. he has to worry about the Miami Cubans

his election is state wide. I agree that the stereotype of Florida Hispanics all being right wing Cubans is increasingly inaccurate, but Cubans are still a potent political force. Don't Puerto Ricans tend to vote Republican also?

[flordehinojos]

16. i believe puerto ricans used to vote democrat--i may be wrong.

but the puerto ricans i know used to always be dismayed at the cuban right wing vote.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

20. Puerto Ricans And Mexican Americans Used To Be Reliable Democratic Voters.

Unfortunately they are trending Republican...


Exir polls suggest Bush captured 39%- 42% of the Hispanic vote in 04 up from 35% in 00...


Also, Mel Martinez did well in this vital demographic in his Florida senate race...


Since the Hispanic population is the fastest growing population in America if we lose this demographic we Democrats might as well find another country to run in...

[flordehinojos]

17. with so many of the hispanic community DEPENDING on so many of theprograms

voted in by democrats--you would think that they would've learned by now that Republicans give them nothing--it is not as if all these hispanics in Miami and/or Central or North Florida were ... how shall we say it, MILLIONAIRES. They are not. So, the appeal of the Republican party on them is beyond my comprehension.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

21. Ya Think....

Hispanics are also very socially conservative which would make them attracted to the Republican party...

[imenja]

24. over generalization

Mexicans and Colombians tend to vote Democratic. Republicans tend to vote Republican. Many Hispanic vote on other issues besides cultural conservatism. Bush picked up substantial Hispanic support this election, but it is not inevitable.

[Robbien]

8. Nelson's biggest backers are the anti-Cuba, Anti-Chavez Florida Mob

This same anti-Cuba anti-Chavez Mob backs Gonzales since the Mob has poured a ton of money into Gonzales and the Bush family.

That is why Nelson voted for Gonzales.

[Mika]

13. Bingo!

Right on the money, Robbien. :thumbsup:

[imenja]

9. congress will never issue a decision "to get rid" of Chavez

That would violate terms of the OAS, of which the US is a member of, in which member nations have pledged to respect Democracy. That is what made so controversial the attempted coup against Chavez in 2001 and the Bush's administration's haste to recognize the illegal government. American efforts to overturn Latin American governments have, since WWII, been carried out largely by the CIA or, less frequently, the military without consent of congress. In the case of Nicaragua, congress through the Boland Amendment specifically prohibited the US from working to overthrow the Sandinista government or funding the Contras, but the Reagan administration defied that law.
Nelson's question to Rice, if I remember correctly, suggested that all governments are not equal and should not be treated the same. I'm sure he would love to see Chavez go. As a Florida Senator, Nelson has a large number of constituents who oppose Chavez, not only Cubans but also Venezuelans living in Florida, most of whom are middle class rather than wealthy. I wouldn't worry about Chavez. He has shown himself more than capable of looking after his own interests.

[kentuck]

7. There's always 5 or 6 Democrats ready to leave the reservation

at any time over any issue and it's not always the same 5 or 6. If you recall, it was like that when Democrats were in the majority also.

[imenja]

11. party discipline is a problem

and discipline is one of the main reasons Republicans have been so successful legislatively. Of course that is falling apart now, but Democrats have never had it. It's up to the party leadership to be more firm with Democrats like Nelson and Landrieu.

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[sellitman]

15. Good job

I gave the same kind of reply to Lieberman.

[fooj]

18. Thank you for holding the coward accountable.

[Tigress DEM]

19. Cheering!

:yourock:

[xchrom]

22. party discipline would be a short term solution now

for making better headway in the minds of the public.
republicans used it very successfully while they were in the minority -- and they are using it now.

the question is -- why not take a page from their play book?
it's easier to capitalize on a victory than a defeat.

[imenja]

23. I agree

Reid and Pelosi need to wield the same kind of power over their caucuses that Tom Delay does. We already are a minority. Without party discipline we have nothing. We certainly cannot allow these senators to wander off the reservation when it comes to Supreme Court appointments.