Written by N.Z.I will add Rep. John Duncan, R-Tennessee
Wednesday, 14 February 2007.
The most depressing --- and disturbing -- spectacle of this morning's House debates on the Democrats proposed resolution opposing the surge was the sight of a handful of Republican Representatives rising to speak in favor of the resolution.
We've made a point here at The Victory Caucus to highlight those leaders who are standing firm on the war and who are committed victory: men like Senator Jim DeMint and Representative John Carter.
Now, however, it is time to focus on those of our leaders who are chosing what they perceive (wrongly) to be the politically expedient course instead of what they must know is the right course. The reality of the mathematics in the House is grim: it is highly likely, if not certain, that the Democrats have sufficient votes to ensure that their resolution passes.
Our goal, then, is to minimze its margin of passage: and in particular, to convince those who should know better --- our Republican members of Congress -- to do the right thing.
I would therefore ask each of you to contact your own Representative, and ask their staff to go on-the-record stating that they will oppose the Democrats' resolution. If they refuse, ask why not, and express your disappointment in their decision. (You can find your Representative's web page and contact information here .)
Once you have an answer --- and only a definitive, on-the-record "yes we will vote against the resolution" will do -- post the results of your conversation on this forum thread . We'll be collecting all the answers, and building up an organized list of those Republicans who are standing firm --- and those who need further encouragment to do what is right.
Beyond your own Representative, I woudl also encourage you to contact all of the Representatives below. These are some of the Republican Representatives who rose today to speak against the troop surge, and in favor of the Democrats' resolution. Call them; fax them; email them, and make clear that to oppose the President's plan to win this war is simply unacceptable.Representative Walter Jones ☼
Phone: 202-225-3415
Fax: 202-225-3286
Web Email
Representative Wayne Gilchrest ☼
Phone: 202-225-5311
Fax: 202-225-0254
Web Email
Representative Michael Castle ☼
Phone: 202-225-4165
Fax: 202-225-2291
Web Email
Representative Richard (Ric) Keller ☼Phone: 202-225-2176
Fax: 202-225-0999
Web Email
Representative Philip Sheridan English ☼Phone: 202-225-5406
Fax: 202-225-3103
Web EmailRepresentative Ronald Ernest Paul ☼
Phone: 202-225-2831
Web EmailRepresentative Frederick Stephen Upton ☼
Phone: 202-225-3761
Fax: 202-225-4986
Web Email
Phone: (202) 225-5435
Fax: (202) 225-6440
Main District Office:
Phone: (865) 523-3772
Fax: (865) 544-0728
E-mail: Contact Via 'Web Form.'
Updated: More info is coming in on additional Representatives who may be going wobbly. Please also contact those below:
Representative Thomas M. Davis ☼
Phone: 202-225-1492
Fax: 202-225-3071
Web Email
Representative Mark Kirk ☼
Phone: 202-225-4835
Fax: 202-225-0837
Web Email
Representative Howard Coble ☼
Phone: 202-225-3065
Fax: 202-225-8611
Email: howard.coble AT mail.house.gov
Web Email
Representative John J. Duncan ☼ Jr.
Phone: 202-225-5435
Fax: 202-225-6440
Web Email
Representative James Ramstad ☼
Phone: 202-225-2871
Fax: 202-225-6351
Email: mn03 AT mail.house.gov
Web Email
Representative Steven C. LaTOURETTE
Phone: 202-225-5731
Fax: 202-325-3307
Web Email
Also from The Victory Caucus pages we have a letter from an Iraq war veteran to congress:
Dear Members of Congress,
As a veteran of the war in Iraq and a currently serving military officer, I am writing to respectfully express my strong opposition to House Concurrent Resolution 63. We appreciate your expressions of support. But this resolution does not help us.
Operation Iraqi Freedom was authorized by the United States Congress. You cannot wash your hands of this responsibility. It is not my place, nor my intention, to instruct you how to do your job. I may only give you my perspective as a loyal American citizen, who is proud to serve his nation during these tumultuous times.
In my view, there are only two honorable courses of action for Congress to take regarding the war in Iraq. The first option is to get behind the war effort. While the security situation in Iraq has deteriorated over the past year, the situation is not beyond hope. The Iraqi Army has gained in strength, competence and confidence. Moqtada al Sadr has fled the country. The terrorist Zarqawi has been killed, and the Sunni Arabs are banding together in an increasingly successful effort to expel the remnants of al Qaeda from their communities.
All of this would not have been possible without the hard work of the U.S. military. But if we were to leave tomorrow, we would abandon the long-suffering Iraqi people to the terrorists and extremists. Such an outcome would not sit well with my conscience, nor should it with yours...
If, on the other hand, you have come to the conclusion that we can do no more to save the people of Iraq from such an horrific fate, the only responsible course of action would be to remove our forces from that country as expeditiously as possible. To be clear, this is not my point-of-view. Nevertheless, just as the Constitution granted Congress the authority to initiate this conflict, it is also within your power to end it. And though I would follow such orders with a heavy heart, I would respect such a decision as the expressed will of the people’s representatives, and faithfully carry out my duty.
I will not pretend to understand the pressures you face from your constituents. But I will remind you that brave Americans are sacrificing, fighting and dying every day in Iraq. To succeed in our mission, we require steadfast leadership from our Commander-in-Chief, moral support from the American people, and material support from the United States Congress.
The responsibility lies with you. I have no use for empty, non-binding resolutions. If you believe that a positive outcome in Iraq is impossible, then you should act on that conviction and withdraw us from that country. But if you are truly serious about supporting the troops, I urge you to give us the money, tools, and manpower that we need to achieve victory.
Once again, I humbly thank you for your support.
Very respectfully,
"Joe Gish"
Please write to these members of congress, be respectful but let them know they will lose support, votes and contributions if they betray our troops in this way.
Keep track of the latest news and ways that you can make a difference and have your voice heard and counted at The Victory Caucus.
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