Hastert to test Democratic resolve...

Just heard Ed Henry on CNN say that Dennis Hastert is prepared to put forth the "Murtha Resolution" for House members to vote on. Representatives would vote on whether the troops should be withdrawn from Iraq immediately as Murtha suggests should be done, or not.

Hastert is counting on the belief that very few Democrats will vote in favor of immediate withdrawal of troops. Nonetheless, it will get everyone on record concerning the issue with an "up or down vote".

With this tactic, moreover, Hastert intends to humiliate (and further fracture) the Democrats and lend credence to BushCo's contention that the Dems are not only "irresponsible", but are also in disarray when it comes to their views on his maniacal war in Iraq.

What do you think the Dems should do... unite behind Murtha or go their separate ways and let Hastert and the Bush Crime Family win another one?

Personally, I think the Dems should unite, but rather than vote, they should ALL abstain... that way they show solidarity, in a sense, and yet refuse to fall into another despicable Rethug trap... Whaddya say? Can they all abstain? Would that work?

resolution to the floor.

Vote for immediate withdrawal.

Look, even if the measure does pass, it's all masturbatory and symbolic. It'd never happen unless Dubya, Rummy and the rest of the Legion of Doom will it so.

I hope the House Dems realize that, and vote for it, as one body. They've got nothing to lose. Call Hastert's bluster out. Betcha the vote doesn't turn out the way he expects.

and I actually have a little hope that it will "shock the monkey" (Hastert). I do hope the Dems will finally show some spine and pull together on this one. Like you say, "what can they lose?"

That's right, call Hastert's bluff. Vote "Aye" even if it hare-lips you! Surely the Dems must realize what the stakes are. Besides, they have to surely realize what a ruse this is by the R-Thugs!

Remember, '06 ain't that far away. These clowns want to keep their jobs. And if they're on record saying they don't support immediate withdrawal, or expect the administration to provide some kind of reasonable timely, phased withdrawal at the very LEAST, when many of their constituents are starting to smell a rat...well, needless to say, I bet lots of Reps are talking to Hastert and telling him to cool his jets. If he calls this vote, you'll see a lot of unhappy Repugs.

See below for a list of House elections in '06. By then, the Iraq war dead will easily surpass the casualties of 9/11. Imagine having to spin that statistic away.

http://www.dkosopedia.com/index.php/2006_House_Elections

It would be like saying, "Fuck you, Hastert, you fat-assed gas bag Bush toady." But it would be more polite.

The Dems have been pretty unanimous on that one.

are united and go for a 100% vote if they have to. But first, I think they should as the other poster says, tell the republicans if we are going to vote on this, it is not going to be a political stunt. This vote will count. We don't play politics with our troops and this war is no game.

No simbolic political vote, the real thing only.

And my congress person better darn well vote for it.

He said something to the effect of, "Look at the mealy-mouthed Europeans who refused to fight terrorism. Now, look at France. They are fighting terrorists on the streets of Paris and in their own backyards, which is exactly what will happen here if we leave Iraq."

WTF WTF WTF??? I cannot believe my ears!!

if this is the thanks they get from our leaders after putting their soldiers on the line, then the "mealy-mouthed (WTF?)" Europeans don't owe us a damn thing.

Denny Hastert is a reasonably intelligent, educated, informed man who knows damn well that the situation with civil unrest in France has shit to do with terrorism.

This is the tactic of theirs that pisses me off the most. Bold lies and distractions when they know they're lying and misleading! Doing it on f'n purpose! It just blows my mind, you know?

And I agree... and I feel that as a counterpoint, we should ask Hastert if he honors France's contribution in fighting terrorism alongside the US in Afghanistan.

Nothing will happen because they are the minority, but they need to be united and put those Repugs in their place.

... troop withdrawal must be a Concurrent Resolution. Thus, its introduction as anything else is contrary to the War Powers Act. If the Democrats in the House don't challenge Hastert on this basis, they deserve no support. The War Powers Act has not been enforced and the reports it requires from the President have not been (afaik) forthcoming. Indeed, the very constitutionality of the War Powers Act should be challenged in court (SCOTUS).

Thanks for your usual dose of sanity, TahitiNut. What do you think the chances are that the Dems in the House WILL challenge this on that basis?

There's still too much "every Representative for himself or herself" going on in the Democratic Caucus. Even with Murtha's stance, I'm not seeing a "thin blue line" of opposition.

We should call and remind our reps about that and see if they follow through. The earlier the better to get all of them on the same page. I'm making my calls right now.

Whether they agree with his position or not...cast it as a way to slap down the Republicans for disparaging his right to speak out on the issue.

of Virginia got kiss of death. GOP Reps will not go on record for Rove/Cheney.

Bush Lied. People Died. Media Cheered.