http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=1478&ptid=9Vets on the Move in Washington
February 07, 2007 @ 10:30 PM
Brian VanRiper
Today was a big day in Washington DC for the debate on Iraq. Dem leadership in the House and Senate did press conferences with Votevets where I was present and participating in. My day started with a meeting at Sen. Salazar's office about the direction and policy they were pursuing. Following that the fireworks began, as we went over to Harry Reid's office to meet the participants in our Senate press conference. I walked in and sat down on the reception room couch, sitting next to me was Sen. Whitehouse; he was quietly studying notes with an aid. I simply sat back and took in what has been one of the more interesting weeks in my life. Reid's office is kind of simple yet ornate, in a very awe inspiring way. A moment later John Kerry walks in, alone and matter of factly, he was there to address the press as he has before with a war vets perspective. Jack Reed came through along with several staffers; the receiving room now seemed crowded, and conversation was loud. Finally in came Patty Murray who rounded off the team for the day. We gaggled over to the press room, a large crowd, that when a corner was turned several cameras were on us snapping away. It seems so surreal, watching this take place. I realize my role and place here, to be a voice of veterans, and when necessary play the game. This gives me mixed emotions, though I know bottom line if it helps push the debate to a better place, it's worth the time. The conference went well, with Jon Soltz making statements that I think many of us ponder, yet fear to make. All mentioned Senators spoke to the Iraq war and the events this week in the Senate.
Following this we broke for lunch and I got a chance to chat with Brad Woodhouse, Comm. Director for the anti-escalation coalition Votevets is part of with SEIU and MoveOn.org. He's very enthused about the press we've been getting and the direction of the argument. He previously worked for the DSCC and helped shape the debate on social security privatization.
We headed over to the Speaker's office next. In the office we met with several other vets and gathered thoughts for the Pelosi leadership team meeting. We walked in and sat down across from where several members would join us. This was almost the most tense part of the trip, knowing what was coming. In walked Bob Filner with his normal big smile, a moment later came John Murtha, Murtha made handshakes but took special joy in saying semper fi to the Marines present. Next was Pelosi who calmly walked in and sat across from me and politely shook everyone's hands, then followed by Hilda Solis. Introductions were now made on a larger scale, at which point Stenny Hoyer joined us. I like Hoyer having met him several months prior in downtown LA, when he met with a handful of young Dems. Xavier Becerra entered quietly and sat to the side; I was now impressed with the size of the CA delegation present on the Speaker's Iraq leadership team.
After 20 minutes of careful and concise frank talk on Iraq today and future house strategy on the Iraq debate, in came the press. They were interested in what we covered, though the true direction is still undefined. A question was also asked about Pelosi's jet issue, which she tackled effectively I thought, leaving it to the security suggestions of the Sergeant at Arms. We wrapped up and said thanks to all. I bumped into Nick Warshaw, a Claremont student who's part of the Eric Bauman LA machine, interning in the speaker's scheduling office.
We wrapped the day by meeting with a Sen. Spector staffer. The Senator unexpectedly met with us directly. A big part of our lobbying efforts is getting moderate Reps to have the guts to face their mislead leadership and stop playing petty politics when there are so many lives in the balance. The Senator listened intently but was taken away after several minutes by other business. It will be interesting to see where he goes. The Washington Post did a good article on the day, check it out.
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