Anti-Iraq-war Republicans exist in Congress

[Kevin Spidel]

They are being attacked by their own party. House Roll Call 220 was For the first time since the war in Iraq began twenty-six months ago, the House of Representatives debated the need for US troops to exit Iraq. The Woolsey amendment called on President Bush to develop a plan for the withdrawal of US forces. With virtually no prior notice or lobbying, this was a vote of conscience by for 123 Democrats and 5 Republicans who voted for Woolsey's amendment. But with no support from either the Democratic or Republican leadership, members who made this vote of conscience are beginning to feel heat from their leadership. We must let the 5 Republicans who stood against Bush on the war know there are voters out there that support their courage in making this stand. Please take action, and thank those who voted for this amendment. They need to hear that there is support for this dialogue in Congress.

Republicans are pulling their $$$ support from these candidates via promising to not support their campaign via PAC's, etc.

These Republicans need to hear from you! They need to hear it from their campaign offices that folks WANT to hear this dialogue! I know it is hard.. but if you care about brining the troops home, these 5 members of the GOP need to hear some love from us on this issue. These Republicans may support the Kucinich/Abercrombie bill.

Let's face it folks... in order to get out of Iraq, we will need some support across the aisle.

The GOP leadership in the house wanted to embarass Woosley. Gave her very little lead time to lobby members. This was a pure vote of the heart. A "gut-check" if you will.

We now know there are at least 5 members of the Republican Caucus who do NOT agree with the President and support Woolsey's desire to bring the troops home.

Just imagine the pain they are feeling from their leadership. The GOPs in the House did not expect 5 to break ranks.

Lets show them some support.

Email/Call their Campaigns for Relect. Tell them you agree with them on THIS issue. Please. They need the cover. American troops are dying. For what?

[Kevin Spidel]

1. A sample email to these Republicans

I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your vote on the Woolsey amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill (House Roll Call 220). It was a courageous step you took that day, and though the amendment failed, you played a central role in making concerns about our situation in Iraq a bi-partisan matter. This was a gut-check vote, because almost no groups had the time to lobby you one way or the other. It was a vote of conscience, and you did the right thing.

I am writing to ask that you continue to stand with Rep. Woolsey and your other Congressional colleagues who will continue to bring this issue to the fore. The vote on the Woolsey amendment was the first debate on the question of Iraq withdrawal to take place on the floor of the House; it must not be the last.

I know you are receiving pressure from your party because of your vote, and that holding the line on this will make things more difficult for you. But I am asking you to do so. We must come to a solution to this Iraq problem, and we must do it soon, and we must do it together. Thank you for standing with Rep. Woolsey. Please continue to stand with her, and with your colleagues in the House, so that debate on the Iraq situation can continue and grow as a bi-partisan matter of the utmost priority.

[Bleacher Creature]

2. Cool. BTW, the five were:

Jim Leach (Iowa) -- He is actually a decent guy
Ron Paul (TX)
Walter Jones (NC)
Howard Coble (NC) -- still a douchebag Jesse Helms wannabe
John Duncan (TN)