GOP Members Pressured to Back War

[babylonsister]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2573.html

GOP Members Pressured to Back War

By: John Bresnahan
January 31, 2007 07:57 PM EST


House and Senate Republicans with reservations about President Bush's plan to boost U.S. troop strength in Iraq by 21,500 are complaining of harsh criticism from their GOP colleagues. This intra-party squabbling, in some cases, has seen Republicans accusing fellow Republicans of undercutting the American effort in Iraq, a charge previously reserved for Democrats.

These lawmakers, several of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from party leaders or the White House, are stunned by the hostility expressed by fellow Republicans. They are particularly concerned that anyone who raises questions or challenges the Bush plan will be branded a defeatist who wants to see America lose the war.

They are also worried, especially on the House side, that party leaders haven't prepared their members for the Iraq floor debate that will take place there after the Senate votes on Bush's plan next week.

"We need a full-fledged debate on Iraq within the (House Republican) Conference and we haven't had that so far," said Rep. Ray LaHood, R-Ill. "This is the issue of our times, and so far, we haven't talked about it."

One GOP lawmaker, who declined to be named, said it is "starting to get really ugly" among Republicans when they try to talk about Iraq and the wisdom of the new Bush policy. This lawmaker said when a Republican stands up who has doubts on Iraq, he's immediately "beaten down" by other Republicans who believe that any deviation from the White House position is intolerable.

Said another Republican with concerns about Bush's new strategy: "It's as if we are stabbing the party in the back, and we are only trying to do what we think is right."

more...

[muntrv]

1. "It's as if we are stabbing the party in the back, and we are only

trying to do what we think is right."

Chimpy is stabbing the US in the back, front, and sides.

[beachmom]

2. Thank you for reminding me why it was so important that the Congress

flipped to the Democrats.

[Rageneau]

3. Buncha Orcs, these Repukes, fighting over bones.

[salin]

4. what a dilemna...

be branded as essentially a traitor by your party leaders/spokesmen and their rw media echo-chamber and KNOW you are also likely writing a ticket out of DC in 2008 and helping walk your party down to irrelevancy.

As per the "ugliness" referred to by the GOP lawmaker... welcome to what your party has been dishing out to dems and to citizens who have not agreed with the war or with your party. This ugliness isn't new - your rwmedia represenatives have called liberals a bigger threat to the country than al qaeda terrorists - and you complicitly endorsed such ugliness either by repeating such vapid and venal talking points, or by staying silent.

Makes me think of the old childhood saying - can dish it out, but can't take it.

[windy252]

5. Why do I still read this as

GOP members blackmailed to support war?

[tanyev]

6. Karl pays a visit to the GOP lawmakers.

[lyonn]

7. Isn't this how we got into the Iraq war? Calling those traitors

that disagree. That was after 9-11 so one could make excuses for not doubting bush when he was beating the war drums. Hopefully this time it will turn out different.