GOP Senator (Smith) calls Kennedy's Iraq vote requirement a 'good idea'

[sabra]

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/index.html

GOP Senator calls Kennedy's Iraq vote requirement a 'good idea'

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Gordon Smith, the Oregon Republican who came out against the Iraq war last month during an impassioned speech on the Senate floor, told CNN on Tuesday he thinks Sen. Edward Kennedy's bill requiring congressional approval for an increase in Iraq troops is "a good idea."

"The more the Congress can be involved in the decision making, the better -- and that is what the American people are asking for; they are going to hold us accountable then let's have the tools of accountability so we can be held responsible," Smith said.

...

Smith also said he thinks the Iraq mission has changed from its original intent in 2002 to such a degree that a new broad congressional mandate is required.

"I personally do believe Iraq has mutated in a way that really does warrant the Congress trying to reassert itself in this," he said.

But Smith does not support withholding funds for troops already in Iraq, saying, "They are in harm's way, they are ordered to stay there, and I think it's really difficult to start shortchanging their ability to do their duty and follow the orders they are given by the executive branch."

[wryter2000]

1. Now, THAT'S bipartisanship n/t

:evilgrin:

[Greeby]

2. What, that's it? No mindless Chappaquiddick reference?

He must have forgotten the RNC talking points for the day :eyes:

[Deep13]

4. Oh yeah and he killed fewer people with his gun...

...than Ted Kennedy-- aw, you know the rest.

[Deep13]

3. Attention all rats, this is your captain speaking!

All rats, abandon ship! All rats, abandon ship!

on edit: The ship being the stay-the-course Iraq plan and the rats being the R senators.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

5. I think this is genuine.

I think he may be one of the few politicians out there that really gets what it's like to lose a child. (His son killed himself)... and to have to put other parents in that kind of grief is something that he just can't do..

[liberalnurse]

7. So do I.

This War needs to stop..............that's the goal. Throwing around blame and sarcasm diminishes the the voice of stopping this War.

[gratuitous]

12. As genuine as anything Smith says, I suppose

Which is to say, "not very." Gordon's a magna cum laude graduate of the Arlen Specter School of Political Grandstanding, and will say things designed to appease or lull the Democratic majority in Oregon so as to ensure his re-election (would YOU want to go back to Pendleton?), and then promptly side with the most partisan Republican legislative chicanery once he's back in office.

Watch his votes, not his rhetoric, is all I'm saying.

[0rganism]

13. as genuine as holding a finger in the wind

Sen. Smith rubberstamped the neo-con agenda for years AFTER his son died. He saw how things lined up in the 2006 elections, in Oregon as well as nationally, so now he's positioning himself to run as a "moderate" in 2008. And he's convincing, too -- hell, he's got you fooled. Don't believe it.

In the end, it doesn't matter if his belated anti-war sentiments are genuine or not. The only real question we have to ask about Sen. Smith is who will run against him.

[depakid]

15. It's NOT genuine

Smith voted for the Enzi bill, which would have preempted (taken away) everyone's state rights to mental health parity (along with insurance mandates for breast cancer screening, maternal care and diabetes management, etc.) and replaced it with high deductible "junk insurance."

This AFTER his son commits suicide (likely due to depression and/or bipolar disorder).

This guy uses his son's death to his tearful advantage every chance he gets, but would have taken away the rights of MILLIONS to have mental health coverage.

This is no "moderate." This is an opportunistic hypocrite who walks lock step in barrel with the far right any time push comes to shove (as always, Republicans allow their members a "conscience vote" to appease their constituents- so long as it doesn't affect the outcome).

I hope Oregonians see through this man- and send him back to his pea packing plant where he belongs.

ps: he STILL hasn't signed on as a co-sponsor for the federal mental health parity legislation.

[denverbill]

6. Any increase in troops strength needs to be paid for in increased taxes, NOW.

If this war is so god-damned necessary, why do our children and grandchildren have to foot the bill?

[0rganism]

14. that's something you won't be hearing from Sen. Smith (n/t)

[cascadiance]

8. Runinng for reelection in 2008 can be a b*ch, huh Gordon?

[Pastiche423]

11. For the 1st time in 16 years

Oregon has a Dem majority in the House and Senate. Our state is turning bluer w/every election.

You are correct. He is up for re-election in '08. Yet, he'll vote for more money for Iraq.

Equivocate much, Gordo?

[antonialee839]

9. Gee Gordon, I don't recall any Dem saying they would

be withholding funds for troops ALREADY in Iraq, so why the special comment? It's as if you are implying that is part of the plan.
From what I've heard the only funds that would be denied would be for any further escalation, so can it ass-hat.

[Vidar]

10. Good for Smith.

[Pastiche423]

16. No, not good for smith

He is not saying this for the right reasons. He thinks only of himself and his seat in the senate.

He cares not one whit for his constituents, unless they are RW.

I know. He is my senator.

[Tellurian]

17. Read the whole text...

Wolf asks Kennedy, even if you get the majority of votes, you still need enough to over-ride Bush's veto..
Kennedy responded..."Thats when we need the support of the people."

Pretty important quote, Kennedy putting the People on notice to bury your congresspeople (RorD) in letters/phone calls/e-mails demanding support for the Democratic vote.

[CountAllVotes]

18. message to Senator Kennedy

U.S. OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST! NO MORE FUNDING FOR WARS WITHOUT END! BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW AND CARE FOR THEM NOW AND FOREVER! MAKE AMERICA WHAT AMERICA ONCE WAS KNOWN TO BE! THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE!

IF BUSH DOESN'T WANT TO DO THE JOB THAT WE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE WANT HIM TO DO HE SHOULD RESIGN OR FACE IMPEACHMENT AND BE TRIED FOR WAR CRIMES ALONG WITH THE REST OF HIS PACK OF THUGS!

Tell Senator Kennedy your opinion!

Sign here: http://www.tedkennedy.com/page/s/ourdecision

:dem: :kick: :kick: :kick:

[Doctor_J]

19. Gordo as done everything but change his affilliation

as soon as he does that we can show Joementum the door