CALIFORNIA: Senate Democrats, Republicans spar over buildup of Iraq troops

Sacramento Bee ^ | 2/14/7 | Judy Lin

[SmithL]

Republican state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth believes a resolution urging President Bush not to send more troops or equipment to Iraq without approval from Congress is evidence of a nation's crumbling resolve.

"Just kill a few hundred more, a few thousand more, and the Americans will cut and run," Hollingsworth said of how al-Qaida and other terrorist groups would view the United States. "All we have to do is hold out for a little while longer. They're crumbling."

"Balderdash," retorted Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. "If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it's this war. ... Our enemies are bolder than they've ever been, not because we're faltering, but because this war was a mistake and the rest of the world knows it."

During an hourlong debate filled with similarly sharp exchanges Tuesday, California Democrats quickly pushed through the Senate a resolution opposing a military escalation in Iraq despite Republicans' accusations that it could embolden terrorists.

The vote was along party lines, 22-14, barely the necessary 21 votes to send the resolution to the Assembly. The lower house could take up the nonbinding statement to Congress as early as Friday. A joint resolution does not require the governor's signature.

Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, urged fellow members to send a timely message to Congress, which on Tuesday also began debating the war in Iraq for the first time since Democrats took control. She said 23 other states are considering adopting similar language.

"Let's put California on record in opposition to further troop escalation in Iraq," Migden said.

But Republicans like Sen. Dave Cogdill of Modesto said the resolution sends the wrong message to troops fighting overseas.

"Ibelieve the most important thing you can have when you are at war is morale," Cogdill said. "Resolutions like this do just the opposite."

[SmithL]

Sen. Carole Migden, D-San Francisco, talks with Sen. Tom McClintock, R-Thousands Oaks, after the Senate passed Migden's resolution protesting a surge in troops in Iraq. The debate was an often testy exchange between Democrats and Republicans. The 22-14 vote was along party lines.

[wastedyears]

The Dems just don't get it.

[avacado]

"Balderdash," retorted Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. "If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it's this war. ... Our enemies are bolder than they've ever been, not because we're faltering, but because this war was a mistake and the rest of the world knows it."

Hey lady! No attacks on US soil nor any US embassies being blown to smithereens. Those were the Clinton days of do-nothing! Now please sit down and STFU!

[Eastbound]

I watched a portion of the debate yesterday. All the Bill backers used the usual disclaimer, 'We support our brave troops, but . . . "

They spoke out of fear, wanting to believe that terrorism here will end if we left Iraq.

Personally, I think we need to have a permanent base somewhere in Iraq for a quick-strike force ready to retaliate against any government in that area designated as a terrorist state. Like Iran, for instance.

[wastedyears]

I'm sure we will, it just won't be on the books.

[Alia]

"Balderdash," retorted Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. "If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it's this war. ... Our enemies are bolder than they've ever been, not because we're faltering, but because this war was a mistake and the rest of the world knows it."

Weren't you actually thinking about the radical gay war upon the American culture when you said this, Sheila?

[oldenuff2no]

Kalifornia is lost to anything and everything sensible, moral, and ethical. The perverts are running the grammar schools in this state.
The American military have done an outstanding job in Iraq. If the miserable and cowardly politicians would only find the balls to stand behind them they could complete the job. We all need to start searching for the hung box where the politicians have been hiding their moral, ethics, common since and balls for the last years. They hid them so well they have no idea where they are. Hillary still has Bills balls locked up but he will never see them again. She says she is setting the example for the rest of the democratic party.

[Alia]

I understand your sentiments. But I disagree with you on your points about "lack of cajones" and the state of CA being "lost". It's not.

[Mr. Jeeves]

"Balderdash," retorted Sen. Sheila Kuehl, D-Santa Monica. "If anything is supporting and emboldening our enemies, it's this war."

The war ended in 2003, Zelda. ;)