Kucinich challenges Democratic leadership to force showdown with President over war funding

[babylonsister]

Kucinich challenges Democratic leadership to force showdown with President over war funding
Submitted by davidswanson on Wed, 2007-10-10 17:47. Congress

Authorization approved five years ago today

WASHINGTON, DC - On the 5th anniversary of Congressional authorization to go to war in Iraq, Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich today demanded that the Democratic leadership of the Congress honor its commitment to voters and demand that funds already appropriated to continue the war be used, instead, to bring all U.S. troops home beginning immediately.

"If they don't, then they're just as responsible as the President for continuing this illegal and immoral war," said Kucinich, "and open to accusations of fraud upon the American people for promising during last year's elections that Democratic control of the Congress would mean an end to the war. Instead of ending the war, the leadership has knuckled under time and time again and given the President every dollar he's asked for to continue it."

By delaying a vote until early next year on the Defense Department's $190 billion appropriation bill, the Democratic leaders of the House and the Senate have tacitly acknowledged that the war effort is already fully funded for the next several months, Kucinich said. "The leadership needs to force a showdown with the President and demand that those billions of dollars be used to bring our troops home now." He estimated the cost to withdraw all troops and equipment at between $5 billion and $10 billion. "That money is there right now. There is no excuse not to use it to bring our troops home."

Kucinich, the only Democratic Presidential candidate who voted against the original war authorization in 2002 and every supplemental war-funding appropriation since, said Democratic protestations that they don't have the votes to block additional funding "is a hoax. You don't need votes. All we need is the backbone to exercise our Constitutional authority and the integrity to keep our word to the voters to do what we said we would do: end this war. Now."

Concurrent with that action, the Democratic leadership must also demand that the President immediately begin working with the United Nations and with nations in the region to establish an international security and peace-keeping force to replace U.S. forces as they withdraw. On February 28 of this year, he introduced H.R. 1234, which spells out a comprehensive plan to end the occupation and ensure stability.

"Our continued occupation is fueling the violence, and we have a moral responsibility to the Iraqi people to ensure security and stability as we leave. A multi-national force that includes all of the nations in the region is the best hope of ensuring that," Kucinich said.

more...

http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/?q=node/27598

[MaggieSwanson]

1. "All we need is the backbone..."

What we need is President Kucinich. K&R.

[RiverStone]

2. Keep going Dennis!

At least someone is trying to hold the lock-stepping rethugs and complicit Dems accountable!

Too bad the MSM will put this on the back page, or anywhere at all.

kicking!



peace~ :)

[Cleita]

3. Love my Dennis.

I'm so disappointed that so many DUers don't like him. He really tries to do the righteous and just things.

[sicksicksick_N_tired]

4. His persistence must drive the establishment absolutely crazy!!!!

:rofl:

Hey, Congressman Kucinich!!! You are DEFINITELY in my book of American heroes!!!

:applause:

[Individualist]

5. Bravo, DK!

[stimbox]

6. Rec #4

:bounce:

Hold 'em accountable Dennis!!!!

[bluetrain]

7. He's wonderful.

[peace13]

8. Thank you Dennis,

for giving me a reason not to quit on this country. Without you it would be hopeless. Peace, Kim

[John Q. Citizen]

9. I like hearing the truth from elected officials, it's so refreshing and unique these days.

Dennis isn't hiding behind the "Iraq was a terrible mistake, oops, so sorry." jive we hear from about 80% of our Dems in congress.


"If they don't, then they're just as responsible as the President for continuing this illegal and immoral war," said Kucinich, "and open to accusations of fraud upon the American people for promising during last year's elections that Democratic control of the Congress would mean an end to the war. Instead of ending the war, the leadership has knuckled under time and time again and given the President every dollar he's asked for to continue it."

Right on!

[Mandate My Ass]

10. Thanks, Dennis for keeping it real!

Kucinich, the only Democratic Presidential candidate who voted against the original war authorization in 2002 and every supplemental war-funding appropriation since, said Democratic protestations that they don't have the votes to block additional funding "is a hoax. You don't need votes. All we need is the backbone to exercise our Constitutional authority and the integrity to keep our word to the voters to do what we said we would do: end this war. Now."

K & R for DK and the plain truth he speaks. :patriot:

[slipslidingaway]

11. K&R thanks for posting. He spoke of this in Iowa, videos at link.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x61130

[robinlynne]

12. Thank-you DK! Wish there were many more of you in congress.

[cali]

13. *sigh*

sorry to be the cynic here, but I see this as, at least in part, political posturing by Kucinich. He says:

Democratic protestations that they don't have the votes to block additional funding "is a hoax. You don't need votes. All we need is the backbone to exercise our Constitutional authority and the integrity to keep our word to the voters to do what we said we would do: end this war. Now."

But he neglects to say HOW this can be accomplished. Just vague language about exercising constitutional authority. Sounds good, means little unless he provides a specific map.

He also says:


"If they don't, then they're just as responsible as the President for continuing this illegal and immoral war," said Kucinich, "and open to accusations of fraud upon the American people for promising during last year's elections that Democratic control of the Congress would mean an end to the war. Instead of ending the war, the leadership has knuckled under time and time again and given the President every dollar he's asked for to continue it".

No, they're all not just as responsible, and some of them voted against the IWR and have voted against supplementals.

And not that he has the ear of anyone in leadership, but that's partially his fault. He's more willing, it seems, to grandstand than to say things in a less inflammatory way, and try to influence others.
I suspect that he's burning a few bridges even with some of the CPC members. I'm also beginning to have a suspicion that Dennis may not run for the House next year, and doesn't care about burning bridges.

And where does he get the figure that it would cost 5 to 10 billion to get all our troops out? He doesn't say.

[bluedog]

14. is this just a statement or did he speak

on the House floor...........if a statement only...its pure politics.......if on the floor hes making his opinion known to the body of the house.

[superkia]

15. I think people forget that he was the ONLY one to satnd up and...

say that the war was about oil and voted against it in 2002 and after. I don't think he is just speaking because he wants attention, I think he is in the same position he was in 2002. Its a shame that people will tear him down whenever possible but the same people support candidates that looked at the same evidence he did, and voted for this war for money? I don't understand why these other candidates get a free pass on killing innocent people for profit for some. Why is it ok that they sounded like Bush in 2002, spewing out propaganda about Iraq, Saddam and Al Queda and now for some reason some people want them to run our country in such a crucial time? I think many Americans are either brainwashed or just plain stupid and are willing to vote to continue killing innocent people and attacking our constitution. We will continue to get what we deserve if these same Americans live with their eyes and ears shut to reality and vote for politicians that don't represent the people.

Go Dennis Kucinich, keep speaking for the people, we need at least one candidate to do it.

[sellitman]

16. He is "unelectable", move on here folks.

:sarcasm: