Why Won't Republicans Support Our Troops?

By: Lowell
Published On: 7/10/2007 5:52:55 PM

From Sen. Webb's office:

WEBB FAULTS REPUBLICAN FILIBUSTER OF AMENDMENT TO SUPPORT TROOPS

Washington, DC - The following is a statement from Senator Jim Webb of Virginia following the Republican decision to filibuster his amendment on responsible overseas troop deployment:

"Today the Republicans decided to filibuster an amendment that goes straight to the well-being of our troops.  I deeply regret this move, which makes it necessary for the amendment to be passed with a minimum of 60 votes instead of 51.

"I would remind my colleagues on the Republican side of the aisle that the American people are watching us closely today. They expect us to finally take the sort of positive action that might stabilize the operational environment in which our troops are being sent again and again.

"Americans are tired of the posturing that is giving Congress such a bad reputation. They are tired of the procedural strategies designed to protect politicians from accountability, and to protect this Administration from judgment.  They are looking for concrete actions that will protect the well-being of our men and women in uniform."

Why won't Republicans support our troops?

Comments



Now that's leadership (The Grey Havens - 7/10/2007 6:01:02 PM)
Jim Webb is raising the profile of this issue, and putting the weight of responsibility for this disaster right where it belongs... Republicans in the senate.

Still, it seems like Republicans are happy to obstruct anything and everything without a care for the ramifications.  I wonder why Senate Dems had such a tough time filibustering the Roberts and Alito nominations.  If more Dems in Congress would stand up like Jim Webb, I'd imagine Congressional approval polls wouldn't be so gawdawful these days.

feh!



Watch the Republican Senators melt down (buzzbolt - 7/10/2007 7:17:56 PM)
Revolting ex-generals didn't amount to much.  The anti-war left didn't stir many up.  Complaints to Congress from service members, their families, and survivors are the real "surge"!  The military families are finally having an impact on Congress.  They are the only Americans at war and their war was won in the first two weeks.

Watch for this filibuster to be weak and off-topic.  Keep tabs on who participates in the filibuster and who hides.  Bet you won't see any Senators filibustering who are up for reelection in '08!  Bet you will see Jim Webb turn up the heat!



I second buzzbolt's comments (Catzmaw - 7/10/2007 8:52:20 PM)
and suggest that we all speak to the military families and members that we know and urge them to fight this - write and call Congress members, post LTEs, go to military.com and discuss this issue.  We can't let the Repubs slither out of addressing this issue.


Oh, and Jim Webb rocks (Catzmaw - 7/10/2007 8:53:41 PM)
Great work on this amendment.  Terrific appearances on Hardball and at the press conference.  Hope he gets a chance to appear on C-Span's Washington Journal.  That would give this issue some real play.


It would appear (Newport News Dem - 7/10/2007 11:04:25 PM)
That McConnell and the thugs were against the filibuster before they were for it.


Are the Rethugs (libra - 7/11/2007 1:46:06 AM)
*actually* filibustering or just threatening to?

Because, in the past, they said "we're gonna say boo", and Dems folded and tabled the motion. And I'd have them *go through the process*.  Let them read the Constitution out loud, if tey run out of "arguments", but make them do it. Make them yammer and block, *on the floor*, 24/7. That's what filibuster means.

Sooner or later, C-Span (and, eventually, other news) would pick it up and show them up for the morons they are. It would make for prime (and "political primer") entertainment: See Dick run. See Dick run off at the mouth...

They've had everything going their way for far too long, but part of it is our fault too, for putting up with this childish-tantrum kind of behaviour...