Missouri lawmakers stick to party lines on Iraq resolution

[Doondoo]

The decision has been wrenching for some, easy for others. But after a week of debates, speeches and news conferences, Missouri's nine members of Congress are following party lines, with Democrats planning to vote for a House resolution opposing a troop increase in Iraq and Republicans coming out against it.

Perhaps no lawmaker from the state agonized more than Republican Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, of Cape Girardeau, who came close to backing the measure before deciding Thursday that she could not.

"Wrenched would be a very good description of how I felt about it," Emerson said in an interview, minutes before heading to the House floor to deliver a brief speech. "I'm not going to support it, with real great reluctance."

Emerson said she was concerned that the vote was taking place after additional troops already began heading to Iraq. She also was frustrated Republicans were not allowed to offer their own version.

"That being said, I truly, truly believe the surge is a mistake," Emerson said. "I think that we really have missed a great opportunity in trying to use diplomatic options."


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MO_IRAQ_RESOLUTION_MISSOURI_LAWMAKERS_MOOL-?SITE=VARIT&SECTION=US&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-02-15-18-49-19

[AllegroRondo]

1. Emerson is a flake

if she believes the surge is a mistake, why did she vote against the bill that says "the surge is a mistake"??