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Chat with House Republicans on Today's Iraq Debate
Later today, I'll be participating in a blogger conference call with Republican House members, discussing today's 10-hour "blistering debate" on Iraq and the global War on Terror.
Slated to join the call are Jack Kingston (GA), Trent Franks (AZ), Phil Gingrey (GA), and John Kline (MN).
The purpose of the GOP-led debate is to put Democrats freshly on record, via a vote slated for Friday, regarding U.S. policy in Iraq. Earlier today, the Pentagon sent a 74-page "debate prep book" to both Republicans and Democrats, rebutting the typical cut-and-run and quagmire criticisms.
Watch this space for a recap following the call.
Update:
Other bloggers on the call included John Hinderaker from Power Line, Kim Priestap from Wizbang!, and Erick Erickson from RedState (and perhaps one or two others that I didn't catch).
Hinderaker asked about the procedural prehistory of today's debate and the pending vote on this resolution of reaffirmation. Rep. Gingrey noted that there were four House committees with jurisdictional authority, which had brought forth a resolution that asked a very simple question: "Are we committed to winning in Iraq?" Rep. Kingston indicated that the timing of this restatement of our goals, purposes, and accomplishments was important; in the wake of the completion of the new Iraqi government and the "fortuitous event" of Zarqawi's demise, this was the "right time to redebate and reassess" our commitment.
Kingston also alluded to the Iranian threat, noting that the best deterrent to Ahmadinejad's misbehavior is having a functioning democracy next door, which is committed to the international trade and the rule of law. Iraq will soon be a very wealthy, oil-producing nation, Kingston said. Not the kind of country we'd like to see overtaken by terrorists.
Amen.
I asked the Congressmen what their predictions were for the outcome of the vote - whether they thought the recent positive developments (Zarqawi's death and the several hundred subsequent raids that were carried out thanks to the "huge treasure" of intelligence we gathered from his safe houses) would encourage fence-riders to vote yes or whether the march toward Election Day would wedge Congress into a more partisan split.
Everyone seemed to think that more would vote against the reaffirmation that did when Republicans forced a similar vote after John Murtha called for rapid withdrawal. Kingston threw out the number 100. Gingrey thought many of the "Get out of Iraq" caucus (and possibly others) would vote against it, but he noted that a mere 3 (which didn't even include Murtha himself) "had the guts to vote according to their rhetoric" and oppose the resolution last time.
The House vote is expected to take place this evening or tomorrow. Earlier today, the Senate rejected by a vote of 93-6 a proposal to pull U.S. troops out of Iraq.
For posterity, the 6 Senatorial surrendercrats were Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Robert Byrd (D-WV), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Harkin (D-IA), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and John Kerry (D-MA). Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) did not vote.
Watch video of House floor speeches from today's debate:
Handcrafted by Flip on June 15, 2006 |
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Comments
My comments are for the pro war side. We can not give up this war! Please note I want the soldiers to come home too. But if we bring them home now, then in 10 or 12 years the sons and daughters of these soldiers will have to go accross there again. Just look at the first gulf war, it was never finshed and look where we are now, back there. Liberals seem to forget 911 very quickly and are only kidding themselves if they think terror is not in Iraq. We pull troops out, terror wins and we are back to looking like losers to the terrorist. They know if they hold us off long enough we will just go home. Another question to ask is, "when was the last time America even completed a war? meaning a clear winner and loser? I can only think of one that even comes close and the was a Nato war in Bosnia. America has gotten into a routine where they go to war and run before its over. The world wars are really the only wars where America actually signed a peace treaty. If we pull out now, the enemy has us by the "balls" pardon the french. I think if this was the democrates idea, the democrates would be for sending more troops, but they are to intent on blaming Bush and trying to rub his name in the mud, then thinking about this clearly. You withdraw the troops the message you send to them is we no longer support you, great moral booster for men and women who are there for you freedom, saving your useless butts. Instead of thinking what is good for you guys, start thinking of them. You have a printing press to print money, press the button and start printing if you are so concerned about money, don't try and tell the public you can't do that, everyone knows full well you can. Give more money and more equipment and men and women as neccessary.Posted by: Scott | Feb 15, 2007 9:55:01 PM
