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What Would the Democrats Do? (Rangel calls again for the draft)
ABC News ^ | Nov. 2, 2006 | SUNLEN MILLER

Posted on 11/05/2006 7:48:49 PM PST by Jet Jaguar

Nov. 2, 2006

What would the Democrats do if they take control of Congress? Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., offered his predictions to Sam Donaldson and Mark Halperin on ABC News Now's "Politics Live."

Rangel is currently the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee. If Democrats pick up six seats in next week's crucial midterm elections and gain the majority, Rangel would become chairman of the committee.

Donaldson suggested that Democrats seem to be all over the lot on how to handle the war in Iraq. Rangel countered, "The Democrats believe we should withdraw. … This election is a referendum on the president, a referendum on the war. Once the pubic says that there is no place for a military victory, we have to find some way to take our young men and women out of harm's way."

If Democrats regain control, Rangel said the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, and the president will have to work with the Congress and the American people to "make certain that we get the heck on out of Iraq."

Rangel was careful when pressed on what the Democrats would do about taxes if they regain the leadership.

Some Republicans believe Rangel and the committee would undo the Bush administration's tax cuts that are set to expire in 2010. "It doesn't make sense to be increasing people's taxes unless it's part of a bigger package," Rangel said, while refusing to pledge he would not raise taxes.

Instead, the possible future chairman of House Ways and Means diplomatically emphasized, "I will not be the powerful chairman. For us to succeed, it's going to take Democrats, Republicans and the administration has to be cooperative."

Rangel reiterated his feeling that the military draft should be reinstated. "I truly believe that if we had a draft system, we would never have our men and women in Iraq. Everyone wants to fight with someone else's children."

Rangel insisted that a new draft should be fair, with people from every part of society coming to a national public service.


TOPICS: Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: 2006; democrats; election2006; elections; emphasema; gravellyvoicedoldman; oxygentank; rangel; vote
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To: Jet Jaguar

"Once the pubic says that there is no place for a military victory, we have to find some way to take our young men and women out of harm's way."

Once the "pubic" says??? Okay, who's sending this to Leno for "Headlines"? And how idiotic and defeatist is this clown? Since when does the public decide whether or not a military victory is possible???

"I truly believe that if we had a draft system, we would never have our men and women in Iraq. Everyone wants to fight with someone else's children."

I am so sick of Dems calling our servicemen and women "children". Last time I checked, they were all adults. Adults who CHOSE to serve this nation through the armed forces. I realize that most democrats can't grasp that concept; they assume our military personnel must be poor and ignorant with no other options. And Rangel's suggestion to reinstate the draft speaks volumes about his desire for the U.S. to fail. Send over people who are already demoralized and see how quickly they are defeated. I guess if you're Charlie Rangel, that's fine with you. And the idea that we'll not enter into other conflicts if we're using the draft just shows that he has no desire for us ever to step up again. I guess he wants us to be the new France. We look out for ourselves and ourselves only. Nice. I don't know if Rangel has any sort of security detail, but if so maybe it will be the first crew of government employees to take the neutral approach.


61 posted on 11/05/2006 8:43:58 PM PST by TXBlair (Fort Hood Loves the 4th ID!)
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To: Jet Jaguar

"It doesn't make sense to be increasing people's taxes unless it's part of a bigger package," Rangel said, while refusing to pledge he would not raise taxes."

Wow! How many ways can a Dem say they won't raise taxes while meaning that they will raise taxes? He must be taking lessons from ol Flip Flop Kerry...'I was for the taxes until I was against the taxes." HAHAHA


62 posted on 11/05/2006 8:46:55 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Protect the country...Vote straight Republican!)
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To: Petronski

It's called the "negative margin of victory manifesto." If Republicans get 55% while Democrats get just 45%, then the Democrats win the election by a margin of negative ten percentage-points.

Sorry, Rangel, but that only applies in the Senate--at least until your ugly partisans ratchet up the post-election legal campaign to impose your definition of victory upon us all. Heck, even I support a Democratic victory defined hence: Nancy Pelosi comes within twelve percentage-points of retaining her House seat, and no Democrat does better than she. That Republican blowout unfortunately still won't happen; we certainly need some reservation for the insane, and San Francisco clearly illustrates the culture of death, enslavement, and pursuit of misery at its finest.


63 posted on 11/05/2006 8:46:57 PM PST by dufekin (The New York Times: an enemy espionage agency with a newsletter of enemy propaganda)
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To: Jet Jaguar

That's how I see my Army and Navy!


64 posted on 11/05/2006 8:47:51 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Protect the country...Vote straight Republican!)
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To: Jet Jaguar

I know that this is probably not a popular sentiment here, but I agree with Charlie on this one. I have felt for years that while we have a great military we have military that is alien to much of America. I realize I don't know everyone, but I honestly do not know or do I know anyone who personally knows someone serving in the military, and my guess is I am not unusual. That is not a good situation.


65 posted on 11/05/2006 9:02:43 PM PST by redangus
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To: redangus

We can handle it.


66 posted on 11/05/2006 9:05:09 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: oneamericanvoice
"If your country needs someone, then they serve...that's if they have honor and respect."

The concept of honor is fading in much of the populace, sadly, and respect has been warped and Bowdlerized into some weird combination of unearned esteem and fear. There will come a day, when reinstituting the draft will be necessary, and I'm concerned that any sense of duty has been so thoroughly undermined, that we will have a problem on our hands. I'd love to be proved wrong, when that day comes.
67 posted on 11/05/2006 9:07:29 PM PST by RegulatorCountry
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To: Jet Jaguar
Pardon the rant. I am so sick and tired of "journalists" that couldn't report their way out of a wet paper bag.

My email to ABC news:

Please pass this on to SUNLEN MILLER. Thank you.

Dear Sir/Madam:

Some factual errors in your article, "What Would the Democrats Do?"
http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/print?id=2624565

- You wrote, "Rangel is currently the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee."

Last I knew, Mr. Rangel was a Democrat. Therefore he is the ranking MINORITY member. Although I'm sure he appreciates your dropping the word minority.

- You wrote, "If Democrats pick up six seats in next week's crucial midterm elections and gain the majority, Rangel would become chairman of the committee."

Mr. Rangel serves in the House of Representatives which is currently lead by the Republicans. If the Democrats pick up six seats in the House on Tues, Nov 7, Mr. Rangel's position will not change as the Republicans will still lead the House. Perhaps you are confusing the House of Representatives with the Senate where a six seat pickup will make a difference.

Thanks for your attention.


68 posted on 11/05/2006 9:11:22 PM PST by upchuck (Eventually the Islamofascists must be destroyed. The longer we wait, the bloodier it is going to be.)
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To: Jet Jaguar

BS&W. The upper classes will never allow their children to be drafted. The contempt that John Kerry showed for the common soldier is typcial of them. What he is saying is the military option is now off the table.


69 posted on 11/05/2006 9:14:03 PM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: ErieGeno

Charlies was in the service. What he won't admit is that Warren Buffet's kin will never put on a uniform. I doubt that a baker's dozen Ivy League graduates were killed in Vietnam.


70 posted on 11/05/2006 9:18:27 PM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: Jet Jaguar

Well, hells bells. If Rangle wants to reinstate the draft, that ought to get a whole bunch of liberals riled up. I have one relative who is a far-left liberal who would come unglued if she thought her son could be drafted. She's one of those who says she supports the military, but not their missions, and has said that she would NEVER ALLOW her children to join our military.


71 posted on 11/05/2006 9:24:55 PM PST by Chena ("I'm not young enough to know everything." (Oscar Wilde))
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To: ARealMothersSonForever

I don't think he's calling for it because of "50 USC"


72 posted on 11/05/2006 9:28:44 PM PST by goodnesswins (I think the real problem is islamo-bombia! (Rummyfan))
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To: JCEccles

This is the first prolonged war we've ever fought with three years of tax cuts without full mobilization of American industry and without a draft.

And the college campuses always ask me about a draft. "Are you for a draft?" I say, "Yes, there's only two of us who voted for it, so you don't have to worry too much about it."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/17/AR2005111700982.html

The above is from a news conference on 11/17/05 where he referred to a draft but he's whistling in the wind. He's never officially called for a draft that I know of.


Murtha


73 posted on 11/05/2006 9:38:07 PM PST by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
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To: RegulatorCountry

Then the weak will flee to Canada or some other haven, and it will be like separating the wheat from the chaff. Good riddence!

I know it seems like it is fading, but I'm not so pessimistic. If you have any time to mentor, or be involved with young people, here's an opportunity to turn that around. There is a saying, "If not me, who? If not now, when?"


74 posted on 11/05/2006 9:44:26 PM PST by oneamericanvoice (Peace with Freedom is Tyranny. Vote Republican!)
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To: ErieGeno
And I would suggest that the top of the pick for Rangel's draft would be the United States Congress! Now wouldn't that be interesting? Charlie in uniform and answering to a drill sargeant!

The current uniform doesn't come with a hat size sufficiently large to enclose the massive egos of congressmen.

75 posted on 11/05/2006 9:45:20 PM PST by highlander_UW (I don't know what my future holds, but I know Who holds my future)
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To: Jet Jaguar
You know, I turned 18 in 1970. At that time there was a draft. I NEVER registered with my local selection board, and I never went to Canada to avoid the draft. I also never got any nasty letters from Uncle Sugar for not registering.

I wonder if the fact that 2 monnths after I turned 17, I enlisted in the Navy, and in 1970, BEFORE I turned 18, I was in Vietnam, might have had someting to do with it? Hmmmmmmmm?!?!?!?!?

76 posted on 11/05/2006 10:14:03 PM PST by Neil E. Wright (An oath is FOREVER)
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To: RegulatorCountry

My sentiments exactly. Very well put.


77 posted on 11/05/2006 10:28:26 PM PST by redangus
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To: sgtbono2002

And IIRC, the casualties in Iraq are disproportionately white males.


78 posted on 11/06/2006 4:51:24 AM PST by Gondring (I'll give up my right to die when hell freezes over my dead body!)
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To: Chena

If the draft ever comes back it wont be only her son tht is drafted. Women get equality now. Think about that. Would you want Charlie Rangel drafting your daughter?


79 posted on 11/06/2006 5:07:03 AM PST by sgtbono2002 (The fourth estate is a fifth column.)
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To: Jet Jaguar
Of all the dumba$$ things Rangel says....reinstating the draft makes the most sense.....let everyone in on the fun of killing rag-heads islam idiots. Why should it be reserved for just the poor and downtrodden. In addition it serves lots of good social purposes..
80 posted on 11/06/2006 5:14:52 AM PST by RVN Airplane Driver ("To be born into freedom is an accident; to die in freedom is an obligation..POW input)
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