From the Iraq Summer Campaign, here are report cards for Tom Davis and Frank Wolf, as well as detailed "oppo research" on their entire Iraq record. I strongly recommend that we all use this as a reference document during 2008 against Davis and Wolf. It's a scathing indictment of both men.
Virginia " Iraq Summer" Campaign Deliver Failing Report Cards on Iraq to Reps. Tom Davis and Frank WolfFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 07/25/2007
Annandale, VA - As more than 70 percent of the American public calling for the withdrawal of nearly all U.S. troops from Iraq, the "Iraq Summer" campaign was joined Monday by Virginia educators and constituents to deliver failing 'Iraq Report Cards' (see full text below) to Rep. Tom Davis's Annandale office and Rep. Frank Wolf's Herndon office detailing each Congressman's long and abysmal record of enabling the President Bush's costly, reckless and failed policy of endless war in Iraq. The failing grades came on the heels of Rep. Wolf's and Davis' most recent votes on July 12 against meaningful legislation to begin safely and responsibly winding down the war in Iraq. The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act [HR 2956] passed with bipartisan support without Heller's or Wolf's support and would require a responsible redeployment of U.S. troops beginning within 120 days of enactment and ending by April 1, 2008.
"The Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act was Tom Davis and Frank Wolf's golden opportunity to change course and represent the vast majority of Virginians by voting to bring the war in Iraq to a safe and responsible end," said Lisa Switzer, Field Director for the Virginia chapter of the 'Iraq Summer' Campaign. "Unfortunately, they both earned a failing grade for voting once again to enable this President to continue his costly, irresponsible and failed policy of endless war in Iraq. They each voted to keep our troops mired in the crosshairs of a bloody civil war that has no end in sight.""Our democracy is under attack and as Americans, we simply cannot afford to stand by the sidelines and watch George Bush, backed by Tom Davis and Frank Wolf, erode our democratic principles," said Manes Pierre, former educator in Prince William County who hand delivered Rep. Davis' failing Iraq report card. "We want them to appeal to common sense and bring their grade up by voting to end this war."
On July 12, the 'Iraq Summer' Campaign and local veterans hand delivered invitations to both Rep. Wolf and Davis to attend an August 28th 'Take a Stand' town hall meeting to answer questions and concerns directly from their Virginia constituents about the Congressmen's continued support for President Bush's policy of endless war in Iraq. Rep. Tom Davis's office accepted the invitation and is currently working with the IS Campaign to schedule a time and location. Rep. Wolf, however, told Connection Newspapers that he is declining to accept the invite, "citing a desire to address the issue from a non-partisan platform."
"We are extremely grateful and encouraged that Tom Davis has agreed to attend our 'Take a Stand' town hall next month," added Switzer. "It will be a great opportunity for the Congressman to hear concerns directly from his constituents who overwhelming support bringing our brave troops home out of harm's way in Iraq. Sadly, we had to read in the newspaper that Congressman Wolf is blowing off his invitation to meet with constituents, citing partisan reasons. That's cowardice, plain and simple. If Congressman Wolf only had the same guts to face the people he represents in Congress, he would see Virginians of all walks of life represented there - of all races and creeds, of both political parties -- united in calling for an end to the war."
"Iraq Summer" has dispatched nearly 100 organizers to 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat this summer on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq. The intense 10-week program is modeled on the "Freedom Summer" civil rights project.
Vote Summaries
How Wolf Voted
To use force in Iraq (Vote #455, 10/2/02) WRONG
To require competitive bidding for Iraq contracts (Vote #557, 10/17/03) WRONG
To create a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq (Vote #72, 3/15/05) WRONG
To hold oversight hearings regarding possible abuses of actions and policies related to the Iraq war (Vote #562, 11/3/05) WRONG
To set timetables for withdrawal (Vote #648, 12/16/05) WRONG
To support Bush's Iraq war policy (Vote #288, 6/16/06) WRONG
To support Bush's plan for a troop surge (Vote #99, 2/16/07) WRONG
To support benchmarks and bringing our troops home (Vote #265, 4/25/07) WRONG
To withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq (Vote #330, 5/10/07) WRONG
To report progress in Iraq and benchmarks (Vote #333, 5/10/07) WRONG
To bring our troops home by April 2008 (Vote #624, 7/12/07) WRONGWolf voted to authorize the President to use force against Iraq. Congressman Wolf supported legislation that would allow the president to use the military "against the continuing threat" posed by the Iraqi regime. The resolution authorized Mr. Bush to use the armed forces "as he determines to be necessary and appropriate" to defend the nation against "the continuing threat posed by Iraq," and to enforce "all relevant" United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iraq. It required him to report to Congress within 48 hours of any military action. The resolution encouraged the president to try to work through the United Nations before acting alone thought it left him with broad latitude. The resolution passed, 296-133. [HJ RES 114, Vote #455 (D 81-126, R 215-6), 10/2/02; New York Times, 10/11/02]
Wolf voted against requiring competitive bidding for Iraq contracts. Congressman Wolf voted against legislation that would require normal competitive bidding procedures for all government contracts relating to Iraq 's oil infrastructure. [HR 3289, Vote #557 (D 200-0, R 47-179), 10/17/03]
Wolf voted against accounting for billions of taxpayer dollars spent on Iraq. Congressman Wolf voted against an amendment to provide $5 million to establish a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including contracting procedures, protection against money laundering, and the allocation of contracts to foreign companies and small businesses. In October 2004, the International Advisory and Monitoring Board released an audit of the Bush Administration's management of Iraqi oil proceeds and other funds in the Development Fund for Iraq. Problems found involved hundreds of millions of dollars, numerous sole source contracts and missing and nonexistent contract files. The amendment was rejected, 191-236. HR 1268, Vote #72 (D 190-10, R 0-226), 3/15/05; Committee on Government Reform Minority Staff,
Wolf voted against supporting hearings on the Bush Iraq policy. Congressman Wolf voted to kill a bid by Democrats to ask the Republican leadership and the chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction to conduct an investigation and hold oversight hearings related to possible abuses in administration actions and policies related to the Iraq war. The motion to kill hearings on Iraq passed 220-191. [Vote #562, Iraq War Investigation -- Appeal Ruling of the Chair; 11/3/05 (D 1-190, R 219-0); Washington Post, 11/6/05]
Wolf voted against setting timetables for withdrawing from Iraq. Congressman Wolf voted against a resolution declaring that setting an "artificial timetable" for withdrawing the U.S. military from Iraq would be "inconsistent with achieving victory." The resolution also called Iraq 's December 2005 election a "crucial victory" for Iraq that would not have been possible without the presence of U.S. troops. [HRS 612, Vote #648 (D 59-108, R 220-0), 12/16/05]
Wolf voted for non-binding Iraq resolution. Congressman Wolf voted for a resolution endorsing President Bush's Iraq policy while declaring that the United States will prevail in the war against terrorism. The resolution also takes a stand against setting withdrawal dates. The resolution was written entirely by the GOP and Democrats were barred from proposing an alternative. Many Democrats felt the resolution unfair because it conjoined non-controversial measures, such as declaring support for the ongoing Global War on Terror, with controversial measures, such as joining the War in Iraq to the War on Terror. [HRS 861, Vote #288 (D 42-149, R 214-3), 6/16/06; CQ Today, 6/16/06]
Wolf voted against disapproving of Bush's plan for escalation of troops in Iraq. Congressman Wolf voted against a resolution that would express support for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, while disapproving of the President Bush's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to that country. [H Con Res 63, Vote #99 (D 229-2, R 17-180), 2/16/07]
Wolf voted against redeployment of troops and benchmarks. Congressman Wolf voted against the adoption of the conference report on the bill that provided $124.2 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency funding, it also set a goal for redeployment of troops in Iraq by the end of March 2008. If the president can not verify that the Iraq government is meeting benchmarks then the troops would redeploy by the end of 2007. The legislation also provides $95.9 billion for military operations, $6.9 for hurricane recovery and $3.5 billion for crop programs. [HR 1591, Vote #265, 4/25/07]
Wolf voted against a bill that required the withdrawal U.S. troops. Congressman Wolf voted against a bill that required the withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors in Iraq with funds provided by the Defense Department within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The withdrawal would have to be completed within 180 days. The bill would prohibit any funds made available to the Defense Department from being used to increase the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving there as of Jan. 1, 2007, unless the increase has been specifically authorized in advance by Congress. [HR 2237, Vote #330, 5/10/07]
Wolf voted against the President reporting progress in Iraq and meeting benchmarks. Congressman Wolf voted against a bill that would provide $42.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and require another congressional vote in late July to release the remaining $52.8 billion for the Pentagon. It would withhold funds until the president reports by July 13 on progress the Iraqi government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals set by the bill and Congress has adopted a joint resolution releasing the "fenced off" funds. The measure would provide $6.8 billion for hurricane recovery and relief, $3.3 billion for military healthcare costs and $2.25 billion for homeland security anti-terrorism programs. It also would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $4.8 billion in small-business tax incentives. [HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]
Wolf voted against a bill to bring our troops home by April 2008. Congressman Wolf voted against bringing our troops home from Iraq to begin within 120 days of the bill's enactment. It would be completed by April 2008, with the exception of "limited presence." It also required the president to report to Congress a U.S. strategy for Iraq. This would include protection for the remaining forces, specific missions and cost. [HR 2956, Vote #624, 7/12/07]
Vote Summaries How Davis Voted
To use force in Iraq (Vote #455, 10/2/02) WRONG
To require competitive bidding for Iraq contracts (Vote #557, 10/17/03) WRONG
To create a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq (Vote #72, 3/15/05) WRONG
To hold oversight hearings regarding possible abuses of actions and policies related to the Iraq war (Vote #562, 11/3/05) WRONG
To set timetables for withdrawal (Vote #648, 12/16/05) WRONG
To support Bush's Iraq war policy (Vote #288, 6/16/06) WRONG
To support Bush's plan for a troop surge (Vote #99, 2/16/07) WRONG
To support benchmarks and bringing our troops home (Vote #265, 4/25/07) WRONG
To withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq (Vote #330, 5/10/07) WRONG
To report progress in Iraq and benchmarks (Vote #333, 5/10/07) WRONG
To bring our troops home by April 2008 (Vote #624, 7/12/07) WRONGDavis voted to authorize the President to use force against Iraq. Congressman Davis supported legislation that would allow the president to use the military "against the continuing threat" posed by the Iraqi regime. The resolution authorized Mr. Bush to use the armed forces "as he determines to be necessary and appropriate" to defend the nation against "the continuing threat posed by Iraq," and to enforce "all relevant" United Nations Security Council resolutions on Iraq. It required him to report to Congress within 48 hours of any military action. The resolution encouraged the president to try to work through the United Nations before acting alone thought it left him with broad latitude. The resolution passed, 296-133. [HJ RES 114, Vote #455 (D 81-126, R 215-6), 10/2/02; New York Times, 10/11/02]
Davis voted against requiring competitive bidding for Iraq contracts. Congressman Davis voted against legislation that would require normal competitive bidding procedures for all government contracts relating to Iraq 's oil infrastructure. [HR 3289, Vote #557 (D 200-0, R 47-179), 10/17/03]
Davis voted against accounting for billions of taxpayer dollars spent on Iraq. Congressman Davis voted against an amendment to provide $5 million to establish a select committee to investigate reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, including contracting procedures, protection against money laundering, and the allocation of contracts to foreign companies and small businesses. In October 2004, the International Advisory and Monitoring Board released an audit of the Bush Administration's management of Iraqi oil proceeds and other funds in the Development Fund for Iraq. Problems found involved hundreds of millions of dollars, numerous sole source contracts and missing and nonexistent contract files. The amendment was rejected, 191-236. HR 1268, Vote #72 (D 190-10, R 0-226), 3/15/05; Committee on Government Reform Minority Staff,
Davis voted against supporting hearings on the Bush Iraq policy. Congressman Davis voted to kill a bid by Democrats to ask the Republican leadership and the chairmen of the committees of jurisdiction to conduct an investigation and hold oversight hearings related to possible abuses in administration actions and policies related to the Iraq war. The motion to kill hearings on Iraq passed 220-191. [Vote #562, Iraq War Investigation -- Appeal Ruling of the Chair; 11/3/05 (D 1-190, R 219-0); Washington Post, 11/6/05]
Davis voted against setting timetables for withdrawing from Iraq. Congressman Davis voted against a resolution declaring that setting an "artificial timetable" for withdrawing the U.S. military from Iraq would be "inconsistent with achieving victory." The resolution also called Iraq 's December 2005 election a "crucial victory" for Iraq that would not have been possible without the presence of U.S. troops. [HRS 612, Vote #648 (D 59-108, R 220-0), 12/16/05]
Davis voted For Non-Binding Iraq Resolution. Congressman Davis voted for a resolution endorsing President Bush's Iraq policy while declaring that the United States will prevail in the war against terrorism. The resolution also takes a stand against setting withdrawal dates. The resolution was written entirely by the GOP and Democrats were barred from proposing an alternative. Many Democrats felt the resolution unfair because it conjoined non-controversial measures, such as declaring support for the ongoing Global War on Terror, with controversial measures, such as joining the War in Iraq to the War on Terror. [HRS 861, Vote #288 (D 42-149, R 214-3), 6/16/06; CQ Today, 6/16/06]
Davis voted to disapprove of Bush's plan for escalation of troops in Iraq. Congressman Davis voted for a resolution that would express support for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq, while disapproving of the President Bush's decision to deploy more than 20,000 additional U.S. combat troops to that country. Against Bush's position. [H Con Res 63, Vote #99 (D 229-2, R 17-180), 2/16/07]
Davis voted against redeployment of troops and benchmarks. Congressman Davis voted against the adoption of the conference report on the bill that provided $124.2 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency funding, it also set a goal for redeployment of troops in Iraq by the end of March 2008. If the president can not verify that the Iraq government is meeting benchmarks then the troops would redeploy by the end of 2007. The legislation also provides $95.9 billion for military operations, $6.9 for hurricane recovery and $3.5 billion for crop programs. [HR 1591, Vote #265, 4/25/07]
Davis voted against a bill that required the withdrawal U.S. troops. Congressman Davis voted against a bill that required the withdrawal of U.S. troops and contractors in Iraq with funds provided by the Defense Department within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The withdrawal would have to be completed within 180 days. The bill would prohibit any funds made available to the Defense Department from being used to increase the number of U.S. troops serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving there as of Jan. 1, 2007, unless the increase has been specifically authorized in advance by Congress. [HR 2237, Vote #330, 5/10/07]
Davis voted against the President reporting progress in Iraq and meeting benchmarks. Congressman Davis voted against a bill that would provide $42.8 billion in fiscal 2007 emergency spending for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and require another congressional vote in late July to release the remaining $52.8 billion for the Pentagon. It would withhold funds until the president reports by July 13 on progress the Iraqi government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals set by the bill and Congress has adopted a joint resolution releasing the "fenced off" funds. The measure would provide $6.8 billion for hurricane recovery and relief, $3.3 billion for military healthcare costs and $2.25 billion for homeland security anti-terrorism programs. It also would raise the minimum wage to $7.25 per hour over two years and provide $4.8 billion in small-business tax incentives. [HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]
Davis voted against a bill to bring our troops home by April 2008. Congressman Davis voted against bringing our troops home from Iraq to begin within 120 days of the bill's enactment. It would be completed by April 2008, with the exception of "limited presence." It also required the president to report to Congress a U.S. strategy for Iraq. This would include protection for the remaining forces, specific missions and cost. [HR 2956, Vote #624, 7/12/07]
Comments
Ohh but Tommy is so moderate.......Not (bladerunner - 8/15/2007 8:36:06 AM)Right, and George Bush is a thinking man not!!! Tom Davis is definitely a Bush Republican. Don't know why he doesn't ever have Bush Campaign with him?Neither Frank Wolf nor Tom Davis are "moderates" (Lowell - 8/15/2007 8:51:51 AM)unless the term "moderates" has no meaning whatsoever. I wouldn't argue that they're far-right extremists either, but they've definitely been strong, consistent supporters of the Bush Administration. And there's no doubt that the Bush Administration is about as radical right as you can get in this country. So what does that make Wolf and Davis?Speaking of Iraq (Lowell - 8/15/2007 9:18:13 AM)Waldo has an excellent post on the subject. This is truly a difficult dilemna, hard to see how to get out of it. Personally, I lean towards Joe Biden's approach - see here for more. Joe Biden for Secretary of State? Sounds good to me.