Republicans daring Democrats to vote against a nonbinding resolution...

[kentuck]

How should the Democrats respond? As the Republicans continue to use the "war on terror" for political advantage, our troops continue to die. As we build schools for the Iraqis, our own schools are neglected. As billions and billions of dollars are unaccounted for in Iraq, the Republicans cut programs for our own people. It was a war based on falsehoods and no good fruit comes from bad seeds. It's time we plan on gettting out of Iraq. Enough young people have given their lives for Big Oil and their shareholders. We've heard enough lies and excuses. The Republican Party should be ashamed to continue using the lives of our soldiers for political pawns, but they are not. The sad truth is that they care more about clinging to their own positions of power than they care about our country or the lives of our soldiers.
============================================


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/14/AR2006061402180.html

<snip>

Nearly four years after it authorized the use of force in Iraq, the House today will embark on its first extended debate on the war, with Republican leaders daring Democrats to vote against a nonbinding resolution to hold firm on Iraq and the war on terrorism.

In the wake of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's death and President Bush's surprise trip to Baghdad, Republican leaders are moving quickly to capitalize on good news and trying to force Democrats on the defensive. Bush continued his own campaign with a morning news conference and a White House meeting with congressional leaders from both parties, while House leaders strategized on today's 10-hour debate.

<snip>

Some war opponents -- sensing a political trap -- vowed yesterday not to participate. Five House members -- three Democrats and two Republicans -- held a news conference with a yellow rope tied around their hands to denounce the terms of debate.

"This is nothing more or less than really a charade," said Rep. Walter B. Jones Jr. (R-N.C.), who made headlines in the run-up to the Iraq invasion by changing french fries to "freedom fries" in the House dining room but has since turned strongly against the war.

.....more

[kevinbgoode]

1. The Dems should respond by saying

that Congress has too much more important business than to engage in voting for non-binding resolutions that do nothing to better the lives of the American people. Then they should suggest that the Republican Party stop using the United States Congress as an extension of their national political campaign and start tending to the business of the people.

[SoCalDem]

3. Exactly..They should vote "present"

and when asked why, they should just say it like it is.. The repubes are in charge and all they want to promote ore divisive and bullshit proposals, for political fodder only..

[me b zola]

9. I would love for them to vote "present" as a group---all of them. n/t

[applegrove]

11. Exactly.

[Selatius]

2. The Republicans know they just nailed the Democrats on this one

If you vote for it, then speak against the war, you'll be called a flip-flopper. If you vote against it, you'll be called a pacifist who is exposing the country to greater danger.

[kentuck]

5. Yep...they are playing hardball...

It'll be interesting to see how our Democrats react?

[Selatius]

6. I predict a schizophrenic reaction

Some will vote for, some against, and some won't vote. Repubs will then say we shouldn't vote for Democrats because we wouldn't know where to lead the country if we aren't even able to vote together.

[kentuck]

8. Perhaps true....

This is the time for leadership. Many Congressmen are looking for guidance. Rather than tell them to vote their conscience, this may be a time to vote as a bloc? Every Democrat should vote "present" and shame the Republicans for playing "politics" with the "war on terror" as our troops continue to die. They shoud be ashmaed.

[depakid]

7. Only if you buy into their shallow game

which, unfortunately- the Dems have a propensity to do- another of the 99 reasons why they've lost 6 straight congressional elections.

A party with more savvy leadership- more courage and some discipline could easily reframe this and make a mockery of the far right.

[LaPera]

4. Desperate bullshit...In a long line of the coming bullshit of what's to

come, they will continue to throw out shit to see what sticks before November against the Dem's, the republicans are truly shameless...disgusting = republican politics as usual!

They control the floor...so expect any maneuver and ploy to in order to feed the masses with bullshit...It's worked for the republicans before.

[kentuck]

10. Give the Democrats your ideas...

:) :kick: