Edwards' campaign manager Bonior: 'Total bull' that Congress can't stop Bush Iraq escalation plan

[JohnLocke]

In a harshly worded fund raising letter sent to members of John Edwards's 2008 presidential campaign e-mail list late this afternoon, his new Campaign Manager, former Congressman David Bonior (D-MI), holds little back in his sharp criticism of both George W. Bush and Democratic members of Congress for their Iraq War policies and politics.

The email--with the eye-popping, if impolitic, subject line "Total Bull"--first takes aim at Bush's recent pronouncements, as reported by U.S. News and World Report and elsewhere after Bush's appearance on CBS' 60 Minutes last Sunday, "that Congress does not have the power to stop his proposed escalation of the war in Iraq."

"That's bull," Bonior writes before going on in the email to criticize his former Democratic colleagues in Congress, taking them to task for their failure to "step up to the plate and use their power to stop the president from escalating the war."

"I can assure you that Congress does have the power to stop this escalation," says the 26-year former Congressman.

"Some are calling for symbolic statements that do nothing to stop the escalation," he writes. "If you hear a member of Congress say 'non-binding resolution,' then you're really hearing them say 'pass the buck.'"

"And some members of Congress are waiting for --- well, we don't know what they're waiting for."

Citing Edwards's position "calling on Congress to stand up and take responsibility by using its power to prevent this war from getting any worse," Bonior goes on to announce the campaign's plan to run a full page ad in Roll Call, with a petition against the escalation and the "tens of thousands" of signatures from supporters who've signed it. The e-mail asks supporters to contribute money as well towards purchase of the ad.

Edwards's short petition, which can be signed here, calls on Congress to block funding for Bush's escalation plan. It reads in full:
I am opposed to President Bush's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Congress must act now to block funding of Bush's escalation of the war — and demand that the President provide a plan to leave Iraq.



http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4041

[OHdem10]

1. C_Span had the Soliciter General from Clinton Adm.

and a Constitutional Specialist from Hoover Institute
on to discuss this issue.

the fact is "Congress can bring the President to knees if
they decided." Of course, this is not recommended in
a Democracy . The power is there they just have to be wise.

[BayCityProgressive]

2. Sorry

I just find this funny. Bonior is an extremely progressive former congressman telling other members of congress what to do on Iraq when Edwards co-sponsored the war resolution in the senate. I am glad Edwards has apologized for his vote but I don't really buy it. I think he is trying to gain traction in the primaries. His comments on gay rights and Iran also seem very tailored and poll tested. I just don't think he is authentic and I don't see how he would make it in the general election. they lambasted Kerry with the "I voted for it before I voted against it". What will they do to Edwards? "I co-sponsored it before I ran for president and demanded to end it?"

[DaveinMD]

22. Edwards knows how to talk in sound bite language

Kerry doesn't. He would never say something like Kerry did.

[citizen snips]

24. Edwards is provocative

which is the kind of candidate we need right now when the GOP is weak.

[DaveinMD]

25. I love his populism

that's what I like so far.

[Clarkie1]

31. It's fake. nt

[DaveinMD]

32. no its not

he stood up for average people his entire life. Take your constant negativity elsewhere.

[Clarkie1]

35. The guy wants to be president really, really badly.

He cares more about his own ego than anything.

Obama, however, is a candidate I can respect. There are other good choices too, such as Richardson or Clark if he runs.

[Clarkie1]

3. That is lame of the Edwards campaign, and Edwards. Total political bullcrap.

Listen to this quote...

"Some are calling for symbolic statements that do nothing to stop the escalation," he writes. "If you hear a member of Congress say 'non-binding resolution,' then you're really hearing them say 'pass the buck.'"


Uh, did it ever occur to Edwards that only a non-binding resoulution might even have a chance of passing in an evenly split Senate (including Lieberman)?

What total bullshit from the Edwards campaign! This really turns me off!

[JohnLocke]

5. Bwhahah.

Nice try.

[Clarkie1]

6. It's bullshit.

It completely ignores the poltical reality.

It's a real low mark for Edwards. I don't think he will be a first tier candidate; he's definitely not showing much maturity by allowing his campaign to put out crap like this.

[DaveinMD]

23. and you are such an unbiased observer

really

[Clarkie1]

28. Well, you look at the facts of the situation and tell me.

Whether or not I'm biased isn't relevant.

I don't hate any of the candidates, but this joker gives me more reason to vote for any other Democrat running just about every day.

[DaveinMD]

29. Edwards is doing

what good campaigns do. You'd criticize him for the manner he put on his tie.

[Clarkie1]

30. No...good campaigns do not spew this kind of bullshit.

I COMPLETELY disagree.

Clark would never issue this kind of crap.

He'll be called on it in the debates, too. Every little stunt he's trying to pull is going to be thrown right back in his face and people will see him for the fraud that he truly is.

[DaveinMD]

33. I supported Clark last time

but he pulled similar stuff. Even to the point of pulling rank on Kerry. You bias is clouding your judgement.

[citizen snips]

9. Its bullshit to not do anything.

[Clarkie1]

10. You're changing the subject. nt

[citizen snips]

12. how was I changing the subject?

[BayCityProgressive]

13. I want something done

I think the Dems should push a binding resolution first or at least allow a vote on one before doing the non-binding resolution. The criticism from Edwards is very opportunistic though.

[Clarkie1]

14. Of course it's bullshit not to do anything...that's not the point.

Senate Dems are doing what they can, and damn if Edwards wants to whine and be a crybaby about it, then why the hell didn't he run for Senate again?

"Some are calling for symbolic statements that do nothing to stop the escalation," he writes. "If you hear a member of Congress say 'non-binding resolution,' then you're really hearing them say 'pass the buck.'"


Did Edwards and his cronies not see the news Monday....they couldn't even bring a non-binding resolution to a vote! How dare he put down good Senate Democrats who are really fighting for us in the Senate!

An opportunistic, ****ing one-term (lousy, do nothing) senator is all he is! He should go back to trial lawyering, at least he was good at that and apparently did some good there!

[citizen snips]

15. and what democrat did Edwards put down?

[Clarkie1]

17. All of them trying to pass an non-binding resolution! nt

[citizen snips]

19. and congress cannot be criticized?

C'mon we must do everything to stop this war.

[Clarkie1]

20. Don't play games with me.

Edwards is criticizing Democratic members of the Senate trying to do all they can in the face of a very divided Senate.

It's opportunistic, and it stinks.

This is the first day I can honestly say I would prefer Hillary Clinton over Edwards...and that's saying a lot if you know my opinion of Hillary Clinton.

Edit: I will of course be voting for Clark, Gore, Obama, or Richardson....depending.

[citizen snips]

21. I am not trying to play games

I am only trying to defend my candidate. This is the first time we have had a majority in a long time and if we don't do anything constructive with it then it will have all gone to nothing. We won a majority in congress for reason now is not a time to back down.

[Clarkie1]

27. Edwards is either stupid, or he is disingenuous.

I don't think he is stupid.

He knows there is no way, even with a 51-49 majority (really 50/50 with Lieberman) that the Congress can "stop the escalation" with a binding resolution...Dems are having trouble bringing a non-binding resolutioin to vote!

He's playing games, and it stinks.

I'm sorry you've chosen such a lousy, disingenuous, manipulative, game-playing candidate.

He is the last person I would want to be our nominee, and I know many others feel likewise.

[BayCityProgressive]

16. because

he never would have won a second senate term.

[babylonsister]

11. Ditto that. I'm not impressed at all. nt

[soswolf]

34. Pass or not...it forces an up-or-down vote.

Something the now-in-power Democrats should excercise more of.

[SaveElmer]

4. Very easy for Edwards to say now that he is not there anymore...

I mean, he has no responsibility for coming up with some kind of plan to convince 19 Republican Senators to suddenly vote for a binding resolution...when they can't even get a non-binding one passed!

[BayCityProgressive]

7. nope

but he sure ran to their side to help start the war! He is also anti-Palestinian and I am sure would keep our horrendous Cuba embargo as well.

[Clarkie1]

8. Exactly. It's ****ing unbelieveable! nt

[Superman Returns]

18. you know,

its easy to talk tough when your not in the Senate. Atleast Obama put out a plan that can be effective.

[Mass]

26. How does he propose that the Senate does when they cannot get any Reps

to go with them for a cloture vote to debate a NON-BINDING resolution.

No need to go after Democrats on that, particularly when you are not in position to do anything.