Anti-War Democrats Say Baird Was Hoodwinked Into Reversing Iraq Stand

[Barrett808]

Source: CQ Politics

Anti-War Democrats Say Baird Was Hoodwinked Into Reversing Iraq Stand
By Edward Epstein, CQ Staff

Rep. Brian Baird is known in the House for his sense of humor, but his Democratic colleagues are far from amused about his new position — favoring more time to let the Iraq troop “surge” work.

“I’ll give Brian a gun and let him go to Iraq and shoot whoever he wants,” said Rep. Pete Stark, D-Calif.

Baird, a five-term lawmaker from Washington, is a member of the centrist New Democrat Coalition, chaired by Ellen O. Tauscher, D-Calif. She wouldn’t criticize Baird by name, but left little doubt that she disagrees with his position. “If you fall into the trap of getting sold what they want to sell you, you’ll come back justifying it,” said Tauscher, who, like Baird, was among the more than three dozen House and Senate members who traveled to Iraq in August.

“I don’t see how the surge, which is a tactic, answers the questions about the security needs of the American people,” she added.

Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., who also went to Baghdad in August, said she thinks Baird is alone among Democrats. “I have not heard anyone else say what Brian Baird said. I did not hear anything that would convince me there has been progress,” she said. “I don’t think there is any justification for saying progress has been made.’’

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/cq/20070906/pl_cq_politics/antiwardemocratssaybairdwashoodwinkedintoreversingiraqstand

[TwilightGardener]

1. Time to cull the Democratic herd. He's Post Toasties in '08.

[saigon68]

2. This is the Clinton stand too

Get some more profit for the corporations

[leftchick]

5. yes indeed

the warmonger candidate.

http://www.brightcove.com/title.jsp?title=32376128&channel=27638673&lineup=212351916

[regnaD kciN]

6. If so...

...he'll probably be replaced by a Publican who's even more gung-ho for perpetual Iraq occupation. Like it or not, that's a historically conservative district, and I doubt any Democrat to the left of Baird would have a chance to get elected there. I'm personally surprised a Democrat has been able to hold that seat for as long as he has -- of course, back then, he was sane.

[Toots]

8. At least then you know your enemy

Not someone that will stab you in the back at a crucial time..I prefer a Republican to a Democrat that votes with Republicans..

[Zodiak]

3. Good...one of these assholes has been named

But there are more.

Hillary thinks the "surg" is working, too.

The New Democrats can kiss my ass, as well as the DLC and the Blue Dogs. They do not work for the Democrats or the American people, but they do a bang-up job working for Bush and HIS goals.

[saigon68]

7. They support corporate thugs and criminals = Their Base

[AndyTiedye]

4. Baird May be Getting Blackmailed

Why do you think they insist on the right to wiretap without even FISA warrants?

[Le Taz Hot]

9. In which case he is severely compromised

and needs to be removed from office.