MyDD :: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq

Call Joe Sestak About Iraq

by Chris Bowers, Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:18:40 PM EST

I don't live in Joe Sestak's district anymore, but I did for a while. Also, my state committee district still extends out into the PA-07 (although I don't technically represent that part of the district). Further, even though the election was not all that close in the end, the MyDD community gave a lot of activism and resources to help Joe Sestak defeat Curt Weldon. I would like to help him again, but there is simply no way I can do so if even a pretty thoroughly watered down compromise bill on Iraq is too stringent for him on redeployment / withdrawal.

Today, I am asking you to call Joe Sestak's offices to ask him if he will support the upcoming Democratic bill on the Iraq supplemental. Considering the work the MyDD community has done for Sestak, I think we have a right to know.

Here are the numbers to call:

Local residents
Media, PA
Phone:(610) 892-8623
Fax:(610) 892-8628

Everyone else
Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 225-2011
Fax: (202) 226-0280

It greatly disappoints me that we have to take this step, but I think he needs to hear from people who helped him out.

Update: Jerome notes in the comments that Gillibrand has come out in favor of the supplemental. I've also heard much the same about Arcuri. That is good news. The thing that is so strange about Sestak is that he himself has a proposed a bill advocating withdrawal--so why isn't he more solid on the supplemental? Who knows--it could even be that he thinks the supplemental does not go far enough. The point is that we need to find out.

Tags: Iraq, activism, Joe Sestak, PA-07, House 2008 (all tags)

Permalink :: 19 Comments :: Post a Comment

somewhat OT (none / 0)

as per matt's post yesterday, i posted about gillibrand's position (or lack thereof) on the supplemental this morning over at the albany project. well, i just got a call a while ago from her CoS who assured me that she was indeed going to vote for the bill and that it was "never in question" that she would do otherwise. i'm inclined to take him at his word. that said, some good, old fashioned feet to fire action on the wishy washy types certainly can't hurt, especially those who received significant netroots support in '06. i have some suspicion that it didn't hurt in this case either.

it's time: the albany project

by lipris on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:34:47 PM EST

Re: somewhat OT (none / 0)

Looks like your update clears it up:

UPDATE: I just got a call from Gillibrand's Chief of Staff and he informs me that Kirsten will indeed be voting FOR the supplemental and that it was "never in question" that she would do otherwise. This is very, very good to hear. Cheers to you Rep Gillibrand.

by Jerome Armstrong on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:47:01 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (none / 0)

Sestak has come out in support of withdrawal. It must be things in this particular bill that he has problems with.

by DemGenii on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:43:09 PM EST

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (none / 0)

Yeah I know. That is what seems to strange. I don't get it. Is he opposing it because it doesn't go far enough? I'd like to know.

by Chris Bowers on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:52:31 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Sestak... (none / 0)

I'd say he has been the strongest voice for withdrawal from Iraq among all the Pennsylvania representatives - except for maybe Murtha. He said on "This Week" a few months ago that he favored swift withdrawal and that only a "political solution" could end this mess.

Jim Oberweis

by cilerder86 on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:57:26 PM EST

Sestak's Bill - Redeploy/Defund By 12/31/07 (none / 0)

Matt Stoller had it wrong yesterday -- Sestak is not a member of the Blue Dogs caucas.

He is working hard to end the war in Iraq and has introduced legislation that goes further than the current bill being proposed by the Democrats.

Sestak's Bill calls for a date-certain to have the troops re-deploy out of Iraq by this December 31,2007 and calls for cutting off most of the funding for the war by that date. The Legislation is called "Enhancing America's Security Through Redeployment from Iraq Act."

See these articles:

(1) "Former Admiral Says All American Troops Should Pull Out by Year's End";
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity /news/nation/16742343.htm

(2)'Congressman Joe Sestak's Bill Would Pull Troops From Iraq";
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsi d=17854136&BRD=1679&PAG=461& dept_id=86218&rfi=6

by sswimtri on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:58:05 PM EST

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (none / 0)

As much as I'd like to see every Democrat support this bill, isn't it in vain? The President has promised that he will veto any Iraq legislation with a timetable in it, and there is NO way we have the votes to override a veto in either chamber.

I'm starting to believe that this war cannot end until a Democrat is in the WH...

Netroots for Gore

by NYPopulist on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 03:58:41 PM EST

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (3.00 / 3)

Make Bush veto it, then.

I mean, c'mon. "Isn't it in vain?" Are you serious??!

The GOP has pee'd on our rug, man.

by lisa on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:19:57 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (none / 0)

I guess I didn't make myself clear. My point is this:

Right now, we have enough votes to pass the bill. Period. With Gillibrand and Arcuri supporting it, even if every Republican votes against it, it will still pass (A handful of Rs like Shays, Jones, and Paul will vote for it though).

My point is, while I understand the outrage at some of the Netroots candidates for possibly not supporting the bill, I don't understand why there is borderline panic...this bill will pass the House and if it gets through the senate, will be vetoed. It will then die because it doesn't have the votes for an override.

Unfortunately, the best case scenario is it passes both chambers and Bush vetoes it - then the war is completely his and no one can say Democrats didn't try. But why there's panic to get every damn Democrat on board is puzzling to me. And like I said, as far as having intent to actually ending the war with this bill is naive - I'm beginning to think this war cannot end until a Democrat wins in '08.

I hope I made myself clearer this time around.

Netroots for Gore

by NYPopulist on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:30:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I don't think it's panic (none / 0)

If the Dems won't bring the troops home now, we need to hold their feet to the fire until they do. This is one vote of many, and every vote is a chance to hold them accountable.

by SteveWFP on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 04:40:37 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Call Joe Sestak About Iraq (none / 0)

I think it's important to show unity over the issue, even if it is vetoed. It proves the presidon't is not paying attention to the voters. They want change, that's why we're here.

Grace Stevens
http://www.TheTexasBlue.com

by Grace Stevens on Wed Mar 14, 2007 at 05:16:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]