California Democrat Unlikely Protest Target (Sit-In To Get Vote Against Appropriation)

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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IRAQ_SIT_IN?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

Feb 6, 2:31 AM EST
Calif. Democrat Unlikely Protest Target

By AARON C. DAVIS
Associated Press Writer

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- It lacks the drama of Berkeley in the '60s, but a handful of neatly dressed retirees, aging hippies and passers-by are in their fifth week of a sit-in aimed at forcing a congresswoman to vote against the next Iraq war appropriation.

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"They got elected for opposition to what's going on, now they're piddling around, playing politics," said John Reiger, 65, a self-employed potter who has logged more than a week on the tan loveseat that's become the cozy, cushioned hub of the Matsui protest. Reiger said the nonbinding resolution she supports to reduce troop levels in Iraq is meaningless.

"Doris Matsui is a good, middle-of-the-road Democrat," Reiger said. "If she stood up and voted against funding the war - and not just a Dennis Kucinich or a Lynn Woolsey - who knows how important that might be. She might give moderates the courage to put an end to this."

"We're frankly shocked she hasn't done it yet," said Maggie Coulter, 53, another protester who on Monday held a sign with the number "97" on it - the number of troops who have died since Democrats took control of Congress.

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Since Jan. 8, the protesters - sometimes nearly two dozen, but more often three or four - have arrived each work day at Sacramento's federal courthouse, which is named after Matsui's husband and predecessor, Robert Matsui, who died in office in 2005.

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