A House Divided Among California's Democrats

The Los Angeles Times ^ | 9/27/02 | Janet Hook

[GeneD]

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey (D-Petaluma) is a strong "no" vote on going to war with Iraq. Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Mission Hills) is a solid "yes."

Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher of Alamo, like many other Democrats on Capitol Hill, wishes the whole issue could be decided after November's elections. The state's Republican lawmakers, meanwhile, have raised no qualms about President Bush's Iraq policy.

California's congressional delegation is, in short, a microcosm of Congress as a whole as it grapples with Bush's request for a resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq. "The snapshot is: Republicans are supportive of the president and Democrats are split," said Rep. Christopher Cox (R-Newport Beach).

Some of the divisions among the Democrats are predictable: Most Bay Area liberals are taking a dovish stand; Jewish lawmakers and defenders of Israel tend to be more hawkish.

But there are some surprises. Sen. Dianne Feinstein--who is Jewish, a strong supporter of Israel and often a more moderate voice within her party--has emerged as one of the loudest voices against rushing to war with Iraq.

[norton]

I won't register to read the LA Times' painfully slanted position on anything.

On the other hand, I did catch California dimocrat Robert Filner on Fox yesterday.

Having him represent my state makes early retirement and escape a real option.

[GeneD]

For what it's worth, here's the printer version, which shouldn't require registration. (When you register to Web sites and post stories you tend to forget other people may not be registered. Sorry.)

[kellynla]

The Dimits are so transparent it would be laughable if they weren't so pitiful. All summer long they wanted a debate and a vote on whether to go to war. Now that we have the debate and the vote the Dimwits say "hey what's the rush?" why can't we wait until after the election? The reason is Dimwits that the people want to know where you stand. Of course Feinstein is not up for reelection so she can say "hey what's the hurry?" The hurry, sister, is every day we delay eliminating Saddam we give him more time to get the BOMB! Hellooooooooooooo