Key Votes: Iraq War Authorization Edition

Posted by Freddie on February 21, 2007 under Uncategorized |

Ah, remember the heady days of 2002, back when war was so fantastic? I mean, it was so great, right?! Being pro-war was the conceptual American flag lapel pin! We were not going to let any WMDs catch us lying down, especially over a late night game of Iraq Hold ‘Em being played by Saddam Hussein and al-Qaeda! Waging pre-emptive war in Iraq was like Bush’s moon mission — he would accomplish it before the end of his term — and we were all giddy at the prospects! Imagine the freedom! Imagine the oil! Imagine being able to sleep soundly again, which we hadn’t been able to do since 9/11!

But then… the shine somehow came off. That $1 billion suddenly became $1 trillion. There were no WMDs. There was no connection between al-Qaeda and Iraq.

But at least we could look to the courageous Democrats for leadership to get us out of the mess! Their unified chorus of voices heralded one of the most vigorous anti-war resonances heard from around the world! Oh, wait. No. That’s now. Back then, only 23 Democrats in the U.S. Senate found enough courage to muster a principled stand against the president and the war drums being beat by his entire administration. Well, at least all the Democrats in the Senate at the time who opposed the war are now running for president! Crap! Wrong again. It turns out that all four Democrats now running for president who were in the Senate at the time of the vote of the Iraq war resolution VOTED FOR THE RESOLUTION! Yes, even Joe Biden and Chris Dodd.

Here’s the rundown for presidential candidates:

Democrats

• Joe Biden: Y
• Chris Dodd: Y
• John Edwards: Y
• Hillary Clinton: Y

Republicans

• John McCain: Y
• Sam Brownback: Y

Project Vote Smart has the complete list. And here’s the text of the bill.

No surprises from the Republicans. And no surprise that Dennis Kucinich voted ‘nay’ in the House. But, yes, John Edwards you were wrong. Frankly, I think you should’ve had some better actuaries on hand at the time who could’ve told you that $1.2 trillion would’ve made a big impact in combating poverty. And Sen. Clinton? If you only knew then, right? How is that a bunch of people on the outside looking in had a feeling that the Bush administration might have been selling a lemon? Isn’t part of your institutional responsibility skeptical oversight? You’re right: there are other choices for those who don’t like your vote. And I’ll be seriously considering them.