I Have A Question: Iraq Spending Voting Record

[Popol Vuh]

With respect to the Democrat Presidential candidates, I was wondering what the voting record was on funding the Iraq operations 'after' Democrats took majority of congress last election?

It is a major point with me.


Thanks guys/gals....

[youthere]

1. It is a major point with me as well, and ultimately helped make my decision for me...

but not in the way you might think.
Sen. Biden voted for the Iraq War supplemental bill that provided funding for the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles, which will dramatically reduce casualties in Iraq.

Regardless of how you feel about the situation in Iraq, we have a responsibility to our sons and daughters on the ground to give them the best chance of returning home safely. I have many friends with children deployed to Iraq, and two nephews that are there. I will not support any candidate that votes to defund the war.

[Dhalgren]

2. Jees, that's too bad...

[youthere]

3. In what way?

[Dhalgren]

9. That you have so many loved-ones in Iraq.

And that because of that you feel compelled to support a war that you otherwise wouldn't.

[youthere]

10. I will not support a canididate that will not do what's necessary

to give my loved ones the equipment they need while they are in harm's way. I feel sad that you you would.
My nephews didn't choose to be deployed to Iraq. They are there nonetheless, and I want them to have whatever they need to stay alive until we can get them back home safely. That funding bill helped provide the extra armor that has saved lives.

[Popol Vuh]

16. I hope your loved ones stay safe youthere..

I do have to say that I think your position is a bit interesting because I have a nephew who serving as a Marine Infantryman in Iraq and I hate and worry about him being there. But my position about funding is that if funding continues it'll keep him there in harms way. On the other hand if the plug is pulled on the funding there'll be no money to keep him there in harms way.

Again, I hope your loved ones stay safe youthere...

[youthere]

12. I'm going to refer you to another post on the subject:

one of our own DU'ers, medicswife, who's husband is in Iraq just found out his unit is receiving MRAP thanks to Joe Biden.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3928203&mesg_id=3928690
I am saddened that you would endorse a candidate that would deny the armor her husband depends on for his very life. These are not nameless faceless troops. They are our sons and daughters, our husbands and wives, our brothers and sisters.

[Dhalgren]

13. I hope that all of your loved ones return home safely; I hope all of

our soldiers return home safely; I hope no additional soldiers will be forced to go to an unjust war. This is a very complex issue and I wish the best for you and yours...

[youthere]

14. Thank you Dhalgren....

I hope the same. Clearly this issue is not as easy as saying yes or no to funding. I respect your stand against the war. There is not one candidate on the Dem side that doesn't want an end to this nightmare.

[MethuenProgressive]

8. Very thoughtful response, you

Good luck to your candidate.

[youthere]

11. Thank you...

and to yours as well!

[maximusveritas]

4. All the Senators voted the same way, except for Biden as noted above

That was the only vote I know of where there was some division.

Kucinich, of course, has voted against funding from the start.

[youthere]

5. Kucinich has been consistent in his opposition on Iraq.

[maximusveritas]

15. It's actually 2 different issues

One is the issue of whether we needed to go into Iraq.
The other is the question of how and when to withdraw.
So I think Obama has also been consistent in his oposition to the war, but has just had a different view on withdrawal. He took the same position Dean did in 2004 and every other anti-war Senator did.

[Popol Vuh]

6. Thanks

For your responses, I have to leave but will come back later to check on any further responses..

Thanks again...

[MethuenProgressive]

7. Off hand, I know Obama and Clinton share the same Iraq voting record

Edwards and Richardson of course don't vote, and I think Dodd and Biden haven't strayed from the farm.