| In a pavillion where every post had a Citizen Action poster stating "U.S. Out Of Iraq," I expected Gillibrand would have a hot time on a hot night. But it did not happen.
Gillibrand explained that, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, she was concerned that, should a supplemental be vetoed again, the troops in the field would indeed suffer.
She added that the supplemental did have 18 benchmarks that improved accountability, and a short leash, funding just until September.
"I know the American public are losing patience with the war, but we need some Republicans to move to be able to make a difference on the war," she said.
And Gillibrand noted that she had voted for three anti-war bills, the McGovern amendment for withdrawal beginning in 90 days, and two amendments to prevent Bush/Cheney from launching another war with Iran. All three amendments failed, and, of course, would have been vetoed had they passed.
After her talk, none of the questions dealt directly with the supplemental vote, though a vast majority of attendees must have been disappointed.
Gillibrand responded to questions on the federal budget, health care (Medicare for all), campaign finance reform, immigration (does not support the Senate bill, favors allowing illegals here to apply for "a proper visa, with an employer sponsor"), the Iraq oil bill ("disgraceful and dangerous"), and agricultural issues (she's on that committee, a MyDD diarist commends her work there).
I asked one prominent anti-war activist, Joe Seeman, a regional coordinator for MoveOn.org, why Gillibrand did not have a tougher time with this progressive audience over her supplemental vote.
"People like a lot of things she does, and appreciate her honesty," Seeman replied.
Her support of the supplemental was, Seeman said, "a terrible error. The only effective way to protect the troops is to bring them home."
But Seeman decided to tell Gillibrand that in private, "out of respect for her and for Citizen Action -- this was not a 'beat up your Congressmember' event."
On the way to the car, Gillibrand said she was "very grateful" for the reception she received.
"I knew people would be disappointed, and I appreciate the opportunity to explain why I voted how I did," she said.
In voting for the supplemental, Gillibrand was in at least one Democratic majority -- 20 of 33 Democratic Armed Services members voted yes.
As anti-war, pro-troops hero John Murtha, who also voted for the supplemental, puts it in the Huffington Post:
While we don't have the votes right now to change the president's policy, I believe that come September we will have the votes from both Democrats and Republicans to change policy and direction.
I too am disapointed by Gillibrand's vote, but after hearing her, I've decided that maybe she and Murtha know more than I about how Bush would have used a second veto not just for partisan advantage, but also to make life even more difficult for our troops in Iraq. |
