Comments on: Frank Rich: Hammer, meet nail head http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/01/frank-rich-hammer-meet-nail-head/ Reality-based commentary on politics and policy in Massachusetts and around the nation Thu, 23 May 2013 10:56:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: 25-cats http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/01/frank-rich-hammer-meet-nail-head/#comment-49022 25-cats Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6033/#comment-49022 <p>One correction though:  the "vast majority" of Democrats did not vote for the war.  In the House of Representatives, a majority of Democrats (about 60%, if I recall) voted against the Iraq War Resolution.  As did 20 Democratic senators.</p> One correction though:  the “vast majority” of Democrats did not vote for the war.  In the House of Representatives, a majority of Democrats (about 60%, if I recall) voted against the Iraq War Resolution.  As did 20 Democratic senators.

]]> By: bob-neer http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/01/frank-rich-hammer-meet-nail-head/#comment-49023 bob-neer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6033/#comment-49023 <p>I have updated the piece and also written another one that explains exactly how the Democrats voted in 2002.</p> I have updated the piece and also written another one that explains exactly how the Democrats voted in 2002.

]]> By: cos http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/01/frank-rich-hammer-meet-nail-head/#comment-49024 cos Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6033/#comment-49024 <p>As you've corrected, most Congressional Democrats opposed the war.  It was the party's <em>leadership</em> that supported the war, and it was the leadership that Democrats were angry at.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> Senate Majority Leader Daschle was a sponsor of the Iraq war resolution, and in the house, Minority Leader Gephardt not only sponsored the war resolution but actively undermined attempts by Democrats to introduce amendments that would've weakened it, including one that had enough Republican support to pass, and that would've required Bush to come back to Congress for new authorization if he failed to get UN security council authorization - that amendment was our best hope for stopping the war and had a credible chance of passing if it weren't for the Democratic leaders in the House.  Gephardt actively championed the war resolution and joined Bush at the podium for the signing ceremony.</p> <p><</p> <p>p> That's partly how Howard Dean's campaign took off: rather than direct his criticism primarily at Bush or Bush's policies, he directed it at the Democratic party's leadership for not opposing Bush's policies - especially the war.  Rank & file rebellion is also what led to Gephardt being replaced by Nancy Pelosi, who was one of the Representatives who organized the very successful move to buck the leadership in the House and vote against the war.  Daschle lost his re-election bid.</p> As you’ve corrected, most Congressional Democrats opposed the war.  It was the party’s leadership that supported the war, and it was the leadership that Democrats were angry at.

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Senate Majority Leader Daschle was a sponsor of the Iraq war resolution, and in the house, Minority Leader Gephardt not only sponsored the war resolution but actively undermined attempts by Democrats to introduce amendments that would’ve weakened it, including one that had enough Republican support to pass, and that would’ve required Bush to come back to Congress for new authorization if he failed to get UN security council authorization – that amendment was our best hope for stopping the war and had a credible chance of passing if it weren’t for the Democratic leaders in the House.  Gephardt actively championed the war resolution and joined Bush at the podium for the signing ceremony.

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That’s partly how Howard Dean’s campaign took off: rather than direct his criticism primarily at Bush or Bush’s policies, he directed it at the Democratic party’s leadership for not opposing Bush’s policies – especially the war.  Rank & file rebellion is also what led to Gephardt being replaced by Nancy Pelosi, who was one of the Representatives who organized the very successful move to buck the leadership in the House and vote against the war.  Daschle lost his re-election bid.

]]> By: bob-neer http://bluemassgroup.com/2007/01/frank-rich-hammer-meet-nail-head/#comment-49025 bob-neer Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.bluemassgroup.com/diary/6033/#comment-49025 <p>Thanks for the excellent comment.</p> Thanks for the excellent comment.

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