LEE: I CAN'T STAND IN THE WAY OF PASSING MEASURE THAT PUTS CONCRETE END DATE ON THIS UNNECESSARY WAR

MSNBC
2 hours, 47 minutes ago

"A Pelosi victory seemed nearly certain Thursday as leading opponents of the spending bill, such as Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., conceded defeat. "I cannot stand in the way of passing a measure that puts a concrete end date on this unnecessary war," said Lee in a written statement."
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17728295/



Mar. 22, 2007

House Democrats to vote on war funding, timetable

{snip}

Democrats' Progressive Caucus agreed Thursday morning to let their members vote their consciences rather than insist that they all oppose the bill. Ten members agreed to support the bill, despite their strong reservations, in order to pass it.

Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Wash., a longtime war opponent and member of the caucus, said in a floor speech that he told House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., that he'd vote for it, and he encouraged others to do the same. McDermott, who's serving his 10th term, said it was one of the most important votes he would cast.

"Speaker Pelosi has given America a plan, a timetable and course of action, demonstrating the leadership we have never seen from the president on Iraq," McDermott said.

Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said Democratic leaders pushing the bill had been "anguished" over how to get it right. McGovern said it was a difficult decision for him as well because he wants a quicker end to the war.

But McGovern said he concluded that defeat of the bill would "result in more of the same - more deceit and empty promises, more ignored benchmarks and missed deadlines, more American casualties, more debt passed on to our children and grandchildren, more harm to our reputation around the world, and more war."

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/news/nation/16955750.htm


http://journals.democraticunderground.com/bigtree

And either: be stopped by Republicans in the Senate; or vetoed by Dubya. I want Dems to be able to point fingers and say that it was the Republicans who stopped funding. But I sure don't want this money thrown away on the war, nor do I want the war fueled by this money. The question: can Dubya really be trusted to veto it, as he has said he would do?

:thumbsup:

I wish it were stronger, as do McDermott and Pelosi, to be sure. But it's a first step and I'm glad to see it.

Bush needs to be directly challenged. Everyone except the critics on our side will see this as a major rebuke.

them to take further steps - pull out IMMEDIATELY - then we will get the job done. We MUST. It must end. The deaths must end now. Further, if it continues into 2008 the Dems will be perceived as having been totally ineffective in doing what they were elected to do...

:(

(AP) WASHINGTON California's most liberal U.S. House members said Thursday they were giving Speaker Nancy Pelosi a bloc of votes to pass an Iraq troop withdrawal bill, even though many consider the legislation too weak.

Members of the Progressive Caucus and the Out of Iraq Caucus among them several of Pelosi's fellow Northern California liberals including Barbara Lee of Oakland and Lynn Woolsey of Petaluma decided they didn't want to risk the bill failing when it comes to a vote Friday.

Such an outcome would be viewed as a major failure of Pelosi's leadership. The vote is expected to be close and Pelosi, D-San Francisco, could not afford to lose all the liberals.

So the progressives announced that they were encouraging 10 previously uncommitted lawmakers in their group to vote "yes" on the bill.

Several would likely have done so on their own anyway, so it was unclear how decisive the move was. However, the deal would allow some of the most visible anti-war members including Lee, Woolsey and Rep. Maxine Waters of Los Angeles to vote "no" without risking sinking the bill.

"I have struggled with this decision, but I finally decided that, while I cannot betray my conscience, I cannot stand in the way of passing a measure that puts a concrete end date on this unnecessary war," said Lee.

http://cbs5.com/local/local_story_081205229.html

most opting to vote for her measure, or else, a no vote on the supplemental.

Now . . .