TWN: 7 GOP Senators Irritated & Angry With Both Sides DEMAND Iraq Debate

[kpete]

TWN has learned that Senators John Warner, Olympia Snowe, and Chuck Hagel -- and others -- were highly irritated, angry in fact, with both sides and elected to vote against the procedural motion until the party leaders on both sides of the aisle ceased their antics.

I was as confused as anyone by the votes cast by Warner, Snowe and Hagel who were real stakeholders in the resolution that was being fought over. But it is now clear that in the eyes of these Senators, the Republican Party leadership and the majority Democrats chose to slug each other silly in ways that preempted any ability to secure the votes needed to assure debate. In that circumstance, the Senators who have signed the letter below decided to vote against the resolution in that climate.

Essentially, these seven Senators have said to their own Republican leadership and the Democrats to "shape up" or a "pox on both your houses."

I think it's a brave move -- and explains a lot.


Here is what the letter says:

February 7, 2007
The Honorable Harry Reid, Majority Leader

The Honorable Mitch McConnell, Republican Leader

The Honorable Richard Durbin, Assistant Majority Leader

The Honorable Trent Lott, Assistant Republican Leader

United States Senate -- Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Leader Reid, Leader McConnell, Senator Durbin and Senator Lott:

The war in Iraq is the most pressing issue of our time. It urgently deserves the attention of the full Senate and a full debate on the Senate floor without delay.

We respectfully advise you, our leaders, that we intend to take S. Con. Res 7 and offer it, where possible under the Standing Rules of the Senate, to bills coming before the Senate.

On January 10,2007, the President stated, with respect to his Iraq strategy, "if Members have improvements that can be made, we will make them. If circumstances change we will adjust." In a conscientious, respectful way, we offered our resolution consistent with the President's statement.

We strongly believe the Senate should be allowed to work its will on our resolution as well as the concepts brought forward by other Senators. Monday's procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve to go forward advocating the concepts of S. Con. Res. 7.

We will explore all of our options under the Senate procedures and practices to ensure a full and open debate on the Senate floor. The current stalemate is unacceptable to us and to the people of this country.

Sincerely,

Olympia Snowe

John Warner

Chuck Hagel

Susan Collins

Norm Coleman

Gordon Smith

George Voinovich

This letter is going to reopen the possibilities of what could happen regarding the much needed national debate on the Senate floor on America's course in Iraq.

The "huge get" of this letter is Senator GEORGE VOINOVICH. He was not on any of the previous resolutions.

more at:
http://www.thewashingtonnote.com/archives/001932.php

[mainegreen]

1. Snowe and Collins have really changed their tunes lately. n/t

[acmejack]

2. Please let's not paint these wimps as people of courage at this late date,

This group has had innumerable opportunities to demonstrate some courage. I rather imagine this but more empty grand standing ala "Gang of Fourteen". In fact, I'll bet Joememtum will rush to their embrace any moment...

[mainegreen]

3. Do you think they'll kiss?

:rofl:

I agree. I tend to get rather annoyed when people paint Snowe and Collins as moderate. They sure as hell weren't moderate two years ago.

[peace13]

4. Mr. Sessions on Cspan tody said it was because these seven

wanted their version of the bill not the one proposed. There are no heroes on the signature line above and if you believe that you have been fooled! We have seen from experience that Voinovich will cry for the camera and then turn his back and vote opposite of what he was crying about! Remember Bolton!

[Glorfindel]

5. Oh, please...just more vile RePUKES covering their asses

"Monday's procedural vote" showed exactly what kind of slime they are. Now they want us to believe that we're all just too ignorant to understand the lofty workings of the US Senate. I'll consider them "brave" when they stand up in public and say "Bush lied; impeach his sorry ass."

[fasttense]

6. The letter is trying to do two things at once.

They seem to be playing both sides.

The letter says we were respectful to crazy king george and the procedural vote should not be interpreted as any lessening of our resolve. Well it sure does demonstrate a lessening of resolve. They voted against their own bill because they were trying to be respectful? What a load of crap.

They don't want their constituents to be angry and see them for the spineless politicians that they are.

While at the same time, they want to be water down their own resolution and kiss up to george.

They have no resolve except for what will make their radical base happy.

What a load of BS.

[mazzarro]

8. In total agreement with you ! -- n/t

[Jacobin]

7. Its all High Theatre

These nasty freaks voted with the RW against cloture.

Now they are trying to have it both ways, pretending they are for debate against the war, while writing this letter to placate their constituents.

It is beyond disgusting to have them squirming around while our guys are dying in Iraq.