Fla. senator defies Bush, visits Syria [Sen. Bill Nelson..............]

Yahoo ^

[Sub-Driver]

Fla. senator defies Bush, visits Syria

By ANNE PLUMMER FLAHERTY, Associated Press Writer 14 minutes ago

In a direct affront to the Bush administration, a Democratic senator spent an hour Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, asking him to do more to stabilize Iraq.

Sen. Bill Nelson (news, bio, voting record) of Florida, a member of the Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, met with Assad after the State Department said that it disapproved of his trip. The United States has limited diplomatic ties with Syria because of its support of Hezbollah and Hamas, which the U.S. deems terrorist organizations, and President Bush has expressed reluctance to seek help from Damascus on Iraq until the Syrians curb that support and reduce their influence in Lebanon.

Assad "clearly indicated a willingness to cooperate" in controlling its border with Iraq, Nelson told reporters in a conference call following the meeting. The U.S. says foreign fighters often enter Iraq across that boundary.

Nelson said he reported the information to embassy officials and will brief his congressional committees on the trip. He said he expects Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to also visit Syria.

The diplomatic push from Congress comes on the heels of a recommendation by a bipartisan panel that the U.S. engage Iran and Syria on the war in Iraq. Bush has remained cool to the proposal by the Iraq Study Group, which was led by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind.

Nelson said he ultimately received logistical support from the State Department in what he called a "fact-finding trip" across the Middle East, being transported by embassy officials from Jordan's capital city of Amman to Damascus.

[NautiNurse]

This photo reminds me how hard I scoured the internet for a photo of the 2004 Nelson visit with Hugo Chavez. Unfortunately, there was a media blackout of that visit. This one will reside in my Bill Nelson file for the next election cycle.

[Redleg Duke]

Way to go Floriduh! You just re-elected a traitor!

[firewalk]

Nelson said he reported the information to embassy officials and will brief his congressional committees on the trip. He said he expects Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Arlen Specter, R-Pa., to also visit Syria

good man...

[Jeff Chandler]

--there is a law forbidding this, IIRC

Laws only apply to conservative Republicans.

[Suzy Quzy]

Benedicy Nelson....hope Assad KEEPS him!

[Suzy Quzy]

Benedict Nelson....hope Assad KEEPS him!

[kenth]

I agree. His office doesn't hold the power to negotiate with foreign countries. He's not president. He needs to be reminded of his place.

The 17th amendment was one of the worst things to happen to our Constitution. Senators really believe themselves to be lords. They are supposed to merely represent their states, but with popular elections and such power in low numbers, they effectively are a house of lords.

[sgtbono2002]

If I were Bush my reaction would be: Who the hell does he think he is? Does he think he is President?. Does he have the affrontary to take foreign policy in his own hands.?

I would have him arrested as soon as his feet touched back on United States soil and then we would have a fight between President and Senate on who is running this country.

Just who the hell do these people think they are taking over the Presidency in a Senatorial Coup'de Tat.? If president Bush stands for this it will destroy the office of the Presidency. The Federal judgs have encroached on Congress and now congress is encroaching on the Executive.

[muawiyah]

The law is generally not enforced particularly against Senators. On the other hand Nelson should have picked up a chunk of change in this visit and will be able to afford the finest legal talent in the land.

This guy is not any different from Congressman Jefferson in Louisiana, and as long as the Democrats run the Congress you can expect nothing but graft, corruption and intrigue with foreign powers.

[Ole Okie]

His office doesn't hold the power to negotiate with foreign countries.

Absolutely. I think he's in violation of the Logan Act, but then so were Jim Wright and his cohorts with Ortega. And it looks like more and more Sinators and Congersmen are planning similar violations.

[Zack Nguyen]

Assad "clearly indicated a willingness to cooperate" in controlling its border with Iraq, Nelson told reporters in a conference call following the meeting.

I'm sure! All it took for Syria to stop sending insurgents into Iraq was a liberal Democrat to dash over there and ask! I'm certain his persuasive, charismatic manner bowled over his Syrian hosts. Of course we'll get what we want now.

[WackySam]

In a direct affront to the Bush administration, a Democratic senator spent an hour Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus...

Thanks Florida GOP, Thanks Katherine Harris!

[BnBlFlag]

Is he Anti American or just incredibly naive?

[pleikumud]

Bill Nelson thinks he's Jesse Jackson, another air-head. Next these clowns will be visiting Saddam Hussein to see if he's being treated well.

[MortMan]

In a direct affront to the Bush administration, a Democratic senator spent an hour Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, asking him to do more to stabilize Iraq.

Well, there's one witness to his treason. Anyone else? ...

[Gideon Reader]

Nelson is as dumb as a brick. I now apologize to bricks everywhere for relegating you to a status that you may find insulting. i.e. being compared with Senator Blank Look Nelson, Moron-Fl.

[SuziQ]

In a direct affront to the Bush administration, a Democratic senator spent an hour Wednesday with Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, asking him to do more to stabilize Iraq.

A direct affront by a Democrat? I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you! /sarc

[panuke]

I can show you pics if you'd like (my bf is from Cuba). It's falling apart and there are holes in the streets and the buildings have no roofs. And you only get sanctioned one small glass of water on the flight over. LOL! I thought that was a funny story.

[bikerman]

Dont blame me I didnt vote for the bastard.

[panuke]

"A direct affront by a Democrat? I'm shocked, shocked, I tell you! /sarc"

You could knock me over with a feather.