Psyche, Science, and Society

Antiwar protesters take on Democrats as escalation looms

January 4th, 2007

In a warning shot that the Democrats will not be given a free pass on the war, Democratic pro-war booster rep. Rahm Emanuel was drowned out by antiwar protesters led by Cindy Sheehan.

Led by Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a slain soldier, the protesters chanted “De-escalate, investigate, troops home now” as Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., began outlining the Democrats’ plans to ban lobbyist-funded travel and institute other ethics reforms. The press conference was held in the Cannon House Office Building in an area open to the public.

Emanuel finally gave up trying to be heard over the chants, and retreated to a caucus room where Democrats were meeting.

Sheehan says she has nothing against lobbying reform, but she and her fellow anti-war activists want Democrats to know they will keep pressuring Congress to end the war in Iraq.

“We wanted the Democrats to know they’re back in power because of the grass roots,” Sheehan says.

Meanwhile, the New York Times reports that key Congressional Democrats are divided on Bush’s plans to escalate the war:

Some key Senate Democrats say they could consider supporting a short-term increase in American troop levels in Iraq, a stance that reflects division within the party and could provide an opening for President Bush as he prepares to announce his revised plan for Iraq as early as next week….

Senator Carl Levin, the Michigan Democrat who will lead the Armed Services Committee, said he would not “prejudge” the president’s proposal. While he would oppose an open-ended commitment, Mr. Levin said, he would not rule out supporting a plan to dispatch more troops if the proposal was tied to a broader strategy to begin reducing American involvement and sending troops home.

Evidently, 3 1/2 years of ever-increasing disaster has taught the Democrats only marginally more than it’s taught the President. They’re still open to being convinced that escalating will lead to anything other than death and destruction. Or is it only their potential destruction at the polls that they care about?

Entry Filed under: Iraq, Politics, Social Change