Stopping the Republican Senators Who Support Anti-Iraq Resolution

-By Warner Todd Huston

As I post this, it is apparent that several Republican Senators are supporting a non-binding resolution that will express no support of president Bush’s new direction in Iraq and will directly denounce the raising of troop levels in Baghdad.

The non-binding resolution sponsored by Senators Chuck Hagel (R, Neb), Joe Biden (D, Del.) and Carl Levin (D, Mich) passed the Senate Foreign Relations committee 12-9. The whole of the Senate will now get a chance to weigh in.

Worse news is the trio of Republican Senators who offered their own anti-Iraq resolution in the committee.

Republican Senators John Warner of Virginia, Susan Collins of Maine and Norm Coleman of Minnesota as well as Democratic Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska offered a resolution of their own concurrently with the initial attempt to attack Bush’s policy offered by Hagel.

The Warner/Collins/Coleman/Nelson resolution says in part:

“The Senate disagrees with the plan to augment our forces by 21,500, and urges the president instead to consider all options and alternatives for achieving the strategic goals set forth below with reduced force levels than proposed.”

The Senate Republicans have been obstructionists for well over 10 years, at this point. Under Trent Lott they needlessly gave away power to the minority Democrats, and since that time they have constantly undercut efforts in Iraq, with getting conservative judges in place, and countless other areas.

It is time to show the Senate Republicans our displeasure. And the best way to do that is to STOP sending them money!

The National Republican Senatorial Committee raises money to benefit Republicans running for the Senate. A noble goal in the best of times. But, as things stand now, the funds this committee raises goes to all GOP Senators and their campaign efforts.

That means, if you donate to the NRSC you are donating to Warner, Coleman and Collins as well.

To send the most clear message of displeasure to the Senate, we need to stop lending them our financial support.

Toward that end a petition drive has been started to let these back stabbing Senators know how we feel. If you would like to sign the pledge, go to http://truthlaidbear.com/thenrscpledge/.

THE PLEDGE

If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.

Along with signing the pledge, you can take other steps to make a difference. TLB offers some helpful information:

Please also make sure to call your Senator directly and express your views. In addition, we suggest you contact the following key Senators:

Senator McConnell, Lott and Kyl are the three senior GOP senators. Try each of their offices at 202-225-3121.

Senator Ensign is chair of the National Republican senatorial Committee. His number is 202-675-6000.

The senators most likely to rethink their support for such a resolution after the testimony by General Petraeus that such a resolution would be an encouragement to our enemy are Minnesota’s Norm Coleman, Maine’s Susan Collins and Oregon’s Gordon Smith. All three are serious senators and good people, but they need to rethink possible support for the resolution in light of the Petraeus testimony and the president’s speech last night. Senator Coleman’s office number is (202) 224-5641. Senator Smith’s office number is (202) 224-3753. Senator Collins’ office number is (202) 224-2523.

Senator Coleman is aleady committed to rethinking the Warner resolution. Please contact Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Senator Gordon Smith (R-Oregon) to encourage them to do the same.

Senator Collins’ phone number: (202) 224-2523. She can be e-mailed here.

Senator Smith’s phone number: (202) 224-3753. He can be e-mailed here.

Hit them where it hurts and where it REALLY makes them sit up and take noticed… MONEY!

Warner Todd Huston’s thoughtful commentary, sometimes irreverent often historically based, is featured on many websites such as newsbusters.org, townhall.com, men’snewsdaily.com and americandaily.com among many, many others. Additionally, he has been a guest on several radio programs to discuss his opinion editorials and current events. He has also written for several history magazines and appears in the new book “Americans on Politics, Policy and Pop Culture” which can be purchased on amazon.com. He is also the owner and operator of publiusforum.com. Feel free to contact him with any comments or questions : EMAIL Warner Todd Huston


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