CSM: Dems say they are flooded with calls from constituents - to live up to their campaign promises

[sabra]

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0423/p02s01-uspo.html?page=2

<snip>

But for antiwar activists, it's not enough. Many Democratic lawmakers say they are flooded with calls from constituents urging them to live up to their campaign promises on the war.

Rep. James Moran (D) of Virginia met over breakfast recently with 30 constituents at the Table Talk Restaurant in Alexandria, Va. They wanted to know why he had voted to support funds for another year of war, after campaigning to end it.

"It's a shame I had to disappoint the people who voted for me, because they are the ones who count in the end. But it was the most definitive statement against this war that the Congress has yet had.... It went as far as we could possibly go and still get 218 votes ," he says.

The post-veto vote on war funds will be even harder, he predicts. "It will come back and pass as a clean supplemental, but not with my vote."

[jwirr]

1. I actually feel sorry for our elected Democrats. First it is not as

easy as the people think it is and finally they need to get elected in 08 so they are walking a tightrope. I do not believe that they can override the veto so they are left with two options: put in another deadline witch will only be vetoed again or fund the troops for the shortest time possible and force *ss to keep asking every 2 months.

I do not think with the configuration of the present Congress that we will get a bill with a time-line through without a veto. Although the short funding terms could put pug legislators under more pressure and they might cave. I think the only way is to impeach *ss and his ball and chain.

[splat]

2. Question: Wouldn't some vote to override if they're really needed?

I'd expect that some Republicans might have promised to help with an override vote even if they didn't want to vote for the bill the first time. Typically, there'd be a group who would not to want to go out on a limb if they didn't have to, but would if it came down to the crunch. Any whispers of this, given that public sentiment is overwhelmingly against this war?

[annabanana]

3. DING - Pressure the repugs to override a veto to fund the thing.

Why should they be allowed to make the Dems look like the bad guys?

[jwirr]

4. Yes, that is exactly what I think is needed from us here at DU and

all the other groups who are working to end this senseless war.