Wes Clark - " Why accountability matters" (DCCC Petition)

"Why accountability matters" by Wes Clark

It is no coincidence that for every month that the White House has refused accountability, for every month that the Republican Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibilities, Iraq has sunken deeper into turmoil. With Members of Congress home in their districts this week, they will find that America is demanding answers, and that they can no longer simply sit on their hands.

Republicans refused accountability for the lack of equipment for our troops, and to this day soldiers are still buying their own body armor. Republicans refused accountability for the White House's role in Abu Ghraib, and our reputation in the world has been tarnished even further. Republicans have still not taken a serious look at the Bush Administration's use and manipulation of pre-war intelligence, and our national credibility is heading for an all-time low.

All of these issues, and so many more, put our troops in danger and undermine our remaining chances to get Iraq right. We will not complete the mission that almost 2,000 Americans have given their lives for unless we address these questions, demand benchmarks for success, and hold the White House and the Pentagon accountable for meeting those benchmarks.

The Republican Congress must not abdicate its responsibility and leave President Bush to his own devices any longer. We must demand a strategy from the Administration that sets benchmarks for success and a commitment from Congress to hold the White House accountable for meeting them.

:dem:Click here to demand accountability for the past and future in Iraq!

The unfortunate truth is, only a new Democratic majority in Congress will likely provide full accountability and answers to the tough questions that the Bush Administration has dodged for years.

But Iraq cannot wait until after the November 2006 elections -- by then it may be too late. So I am standing with Democrats in Congress and urging those Republicans of conscience to join us to change the course in Iraq before it's too late. With Tom DeLay indicted, Bill Frist under investigation, and President Bush's White House paralyzed by indictments and investigations that have brought dwindling poll numbers, America needs real leadership now. We Democrats must provide that leadership, because the Republicans have clearly demonstrated they can't, or won't.

Because Congress has taken itself out of the equation, the American people have no real way to find out from President Bush why our "progress" is measured in negative numbers, whom we can hold accountable, or most importantly, how to rectify the problem. If we are to have any chance of leaving a stable Iraq behind, we must change course now.

:dem:Click here to demand accountability for the past and future in Iraq!

Accountability is not just about clarifying the past; it is about success in the future, and getting the right people in the right positions to make the decisions that will make or break the mission. If we do not have benchmarks for progress, we will not make progress. If we do not hold those people making decisions accountable, we will never get the right people making the right decisions.

Our mission in Iraq has been hurt by the lack of oversight and accountability over President Bush's blundering strategy, and nothing is more crucial to turning the tide than Congress living up to that critical responsibility.

Tell Republicans in Congress that the mistakes of the past must be examined and rectified, and that a course for the future must be concrete and accountable:

:dem:Click here to demand accountability for the past and future in Iraq!

It is clear that we can no longer trust the Bush Administration to be honest with us about our progress in Iraq. With oversight, accountability, and transparency from the Congress, though, we will not need to. And perhaps Iraq will yet have a chance.

Sincerely,

Wes Clark


Please Visit www.SecuringAmerica.com :kick:

I had another call from them today to donate. I support Cegelis, and I can not figure why in the world Rahn is going out of his way and out of the district to find a female veteran to run. She is not well yet, lost both her legs, undergoing surgery still I think.

I said that they were going for the "national security democrats" theme....and I think they are going overboard. Nothing wrong if one just happens along and does well, but actively seeking them to run against others who are quite viable is wrong.

Christine Cegelis has a base, and she will have enough money to run. She got 44% of the vote last time. I think Rahm is doing this because of reasons I won't mention.

Here are two blogs from MyDD which express similar feelings, and one refers to a columnist with concerns as well.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/11/29/131727/63

"As Sun-Times columnist Lynn Sweet reported, Emanuel courted Army Major "Tammy" Duckworth to run as the Democratic candidate. He cynically believes that people will vote for her just because she is a wounded veteran of the Iraq War. She has no political platform and no indigenous campaign organization. She is still undergoing physical therapy for her war injuries and she had to get permission from the military to run. She will leave active duty on Dec. 1 to do so.

Apparently the campaign staff and cash would be helicoptered in from Washington because there has been no base built in the district even though nominating petitions are to be filed beginning Dec. 12. David Alexrod has been picked by Emanuel to run her public relations campaign locally.

As a candidate produced a couple of weeks before petitions are to be filed in an election for which she has yet to campaign, running is neither in Duckworth's best interest nor the party's. Emanuel just wants her to run because he can control her and use her in photo opportunities for the party."

And another.
http://www.mydd.com/story/2005/11/28/185352/14

This ain't about DCCC as much as it is about Republicans being held accountable and putting pressure on them to agree to investigate how we got into Iraq....and letting them know that they are not doing their job when they support the Chimp with this war.

I agree that the DCCC, DNC, NDC, and the DLC are not perfect.....but it ain't about the small details here....it's about what we all should want--Accountability for the billions spent, the deaths, and the lies.

Signing the petition doesn't make you have to do anything with the DCCC.

K?

They need to stop undercutting viable candidates. Now. A whole lot of us will again donate to Christine, and she has good support on the ground.

Someone else has every right to run, but Rahm needs to quit doing this.

But if Howard Dean had a petition on the site that made sense, I would sign it....and I certainly DO DONATE to the DNC....regardless that they have done some things that I don't like.

Divided we fall.

But I donate monthly to them, and support in many other ways. I think this is a serious issue for those of us who think the military aspect is being used in an overboard fashion.

I did not say I wouldn't sign it, but I might not.

Then be one of the ones that doesn't demand accountability on this administration. I mean....that is the status quo anyhow!

Hopefully there will be enough of us who see the forest for the trees.

On the phone, in letters, in meetings..

But I understand......

You have a problem with the DCCC as you have clearly explained....and unlike the problems you have with the DNC.....your problems with the DCCC stops you from being able to participate in a petition DEMANDING REPUBLICANS ACCOUNTABILITY.

To each is own.

But it was Nice talking with you! See Ya! :hi:

Here is my new post on the Illinois situation. An article about it from the Sun Times. It is a serious one.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2282033

I will probably sign, just wanted to have my say.

The GOP'ers and neocons on the Hill are dodging for cover in fear; and scurrying away from their incompetent blundering leader, just to save their own arses. For survival, they'll hunt for sick birds and day laborers. But unless they account for their own failures in the Iraq war, the Katrina debacle and the tragic costs their leadership wrought onto our country, the GOP'ers will be in chaotic retreat in '06. In other words, it's time, now, for Dems to take the Hill.

When I heard about this I too had my reservations, but this is about a petition...one that it long overdue. The republicans are in control and there is no time to waste. I consider badgering them my civic duty.

Please consider signing and if you can, pass it on. We need to make them understand that as long as they are in the majority, they, must hold their monster accountable.

But they are starting to be laughed at about all the veterans. People in our area which is very conservative are starting to mention it now, and sort of chuckle that it is so obvious. They are going overboard with the military stuff.

See my post about Illinois. It is way out of line.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2282033

Perhaps this part should also be posted on the earlier thread, where most of the discussion has already been taking place:

"It is no coincidence that for every month that the White House has refused accountability, for every month that the Republican Congress has abdicated its oversight responsibilities, Iraq has sunken deeper into turmoil. With Members of Congress home in their districts this week, they will find that America is demanding answers, and that they can no longer simply sit on their hands.

Republicans refused accountability for the lack of equipment for our troops, and to this day soldiers are still buying their own body armor. Republicans refused accountability for the White House's role in Abu Ghraib, and our reputation in the world has been tarnished even further. Republicans have still not taken a serious look at the Bush Administration's use and manipulation of pre-war intelligence, and our national credibility is heading for an all-time low.

All of these issues, and so many more, put our troops in danger and undermine our remaining chances to get Iraq right. We will not complete the mission that almost 2,000 Americans have given their lives for unless we address these questions, demand benchmarks for success, and hold the White House and the Pentagon accountable for meeting those benchmarks".

against DU rule....so I picked what I thought was most relevant....and shortened the message significantly.

Of course, it is true....that it is all relevant!

....must've missed it on me blind-side, whence I tacked ta'starboard...

Hope all is well. Joe from Clark 04.

Joe

:hi:

It is so good to hear from other Clarkies, Frenchie.

Joe

Hence this Op.

At this point, it's all about accountability and the 2006 elections!

Please tell the guys and ladies I said Hi.

I admire your drive, Frenchie. You are OK with me, anytime.

I do think 2006 is going to be a great year - and I think Clark woke many people up.

Keep it up Frenchie!!!! You do him proud.

Joe

It is just too late for Iraq, General.

Maybe a year ago, fourteen months ago, maybe.

We got sold down the river for 3.00 gasoline.

They are in civil war - and we have no place there.

God, I know your heart is in the right place - I know, you should have been president now - I know. But it is just too late.

You know, too.

It is such a sad state we find ourselves in now.

Joe

Cindy is right. The way John Kerry was right in 1970. I am so sad Kerry lost his way - what a great man he was back then.

But the bottomline is that we still must demand accountability....and as the loyal opposition, throwing our hands in the air ain't gonna make this administration back down...only public pressure will do that.

Wes sais that after election 2006 is too late for Iraq. That's why we Democrat have to insist something be done NOW....cause we can't go back to yesterday.

It must be a wierd psychic connection us Clarkies have.

The guy is in a box (B*sh). And now is the time.

I know what you meant. Just a matter of time now.

You are Ok Frenchie and the Nelsons and everyone else. I think there are many people that refused to relinquish their God given rights here.

Reality is about to set in with those that did not.

Joe

Must be the Black in me! :hi:

:hi:

Thanks for posting! :kick: