Speaking of the Armenian genocide--notice how Pelosi's cosponsors evaproated away?

[jpgray]

Is this skittish behavior from moderate Dems a major reason our leadership appears so weak in its vacillations? Now obviously the blame lies with the leadership in part if they can't wrangle the party, but is it fair to level nearly all criticism at Pelosi when it is at times a few cowardly folks behind the scenes that undermine what should be a tough-minded, solidly critical majority? Or is it essentially at Pelosi's feet anyway as she is the major symbol of our House delegation?

[Demeter]

1. It Was a Very Stupid Idea With Extraordinarily Bad Timing

And it proves that Pelosi is in over her head and going down for the third time.

As if another meaningless resolution was going to do anything for the US or the Armenians!

[jpgray]

2. The merits of this bill aside--has behind-the-scenes support evaporation caused other surrenders?

In other words do skittish members of the delegation run away and undermine the party's resolve by denying the needed votes, or does the leadership itself decide to do the running away without this sort of cowardly exodus from less visible Democrats?

[still_one]

4. Probably, because they realize how irrational it is to bring it up now

Americans are not particularly smart as it is, but they aren't that dumb to realize this is a foolish move

[jpgray]

5. This thread doesn't intend to discuss the merits of this particular bill

I'm trying to get a handle on the reason for Democratic weakness and vacillation in general--is it primarily a skittish leadership, a skittish portion of the delegation, or some mixture?

[still_one]

7. It is the reason I gave, because they realize they will get blow back on this

They believe most people will believe this is not a sound resolution at this time

No, I am not arguing the merits of it, I am just giving you the reason why I believe they are backing down

[still_one]

3. This resolution should never have been brought up at this time

It frankly shows the stupidity of the leadership

They won't stop the funding of the war, they won't impeach, but they have no problem bringing up a non-binding resolution that potentially will even make it more dangerous for our troops

Why didn't you bring up this resolution before we invaded Iraq, or when the Democrats had the majority. Why do it when we are up to our ass in aligators?

No common sense

[alofarabia]

6. I think this resolution was a maneuver to stop the war...

by ticking off the Turks enough to stop allowing the US military to ship gas and other items to Iraq. I believe that 70% of all supplies into Iraq arrive via Turkey. Had it worked it could have effectively forced us out of Iraq or at the very least made it extremely difficult logistically. I agree that without this explanation the timing makes no sense. It may have been a novel approach to put pressure to end the war but I'm afraid that it is now coming across as bad political leadership.

[Demeter]

8. Giving the Turks License to Do What They Wanted to Do In the Beginning

when everyone worked so hard to keep them out of meddling in Iraq, more like.

It probably doesn't matter at this point. The Iraq situation is irredeemable. What's one more nation roaming about killing people at will?

[ShortnFiery]

9. We all had such high hopes for this 2006 Democratic Majority :(

I'll still perservere in voting democratic, but it's almost comical (if it was not for the tragic consequences) how we seemingly have "The Keystone Kops" operating the decision making arm of our Congressional democratic "leadership." :(



OMG, we must not be privy to a multitude of behind the scenes political a**-grabbing ...
well, that is all this "little person" (in more ways than one :silly:) can surmise. :shrug:

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. i think people blame pelosi because she is a figurehead

i dont believe any body votes w.out knowing what the likely outcome is. i think when she decides to vote, now that she has a leadership position, she has to consider the likely outcome.

how long will she have this position, if she tries to get bills passed that never see the light of day?

while an individual politician can be a maverick, i dont think pelosi quite has that chance any more.