"They think it's hot in Washington. Wait until they get home. It's going to be like laying asphalt in August. They're going to feel it,"
BY KENNETH R. BAZINETDAILY NEWS WASHINGTON BUREAU
Wednesday, July 18th 2007, 9:35 PM
WASHINGTON - After a Senate all-nighter, Republicans blocked a bill yesterday that would have begun to withdraw troops from Iraq, but they now face a media barrage aimed at booting GOP lawmakers who voted against the measure.
"There are a good number of Republicans, many ... up for reelection in 2008, who back home say they want a change of course in Iraq, but in Washington do nothing to change it," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) "This puts the spotlight on those senators."
Senate Democrats were eight short of the 60 votes needed for the bill to get a final vote. As the more than 20-hour session wound down, the final vote was 52-to-47 in favor of withdrawal. Four Republicans voted with the Democrats.
Some Republicans who opposed the bill were immediately targeted in personalized press releases, which national and state Democratic committees had ready to go in select states.
"We're mainly going after the Republicans in Minnesota, Kentucky, New Hampshire and New Mexico," said a party operative, who noted GOP senators were still smarting from recent Democratic TV ads attacking them over the war.
The Democratic-allied group Americans United for Change plans to air more ads in several states next month, when lawmakers are home. "They think it's hot in Washington. Wait until they get home. It's going to be like laying asphalt in August. They're going to feel it," said spokesman Brad Woodhouse.
The marathon session also offered a fresh chance for Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden to hammer Republicans over the vote. Moreover, John McCain's limping campaign will have to explain why the Arizona senator once again backed President Bush's unpopular war strategy.
kbazinet@nydailynews.com
LinkHere
Wednesday, July 18th 2007, 9:35 PM
WASHINGTON - After a Senate all-nighter, Republicans blocked a bill yesterday that would have begun to withdraw troops from Iraq, but they now face a media barrage aimed at booting GOP lawmakers who voted against the measure.
"There are a good number of Republicans, many ... up for reelection in 2008, who back home say they want a change of course in Iraq, but in Washington do nothing to change it," said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) "This puts the spotlight on those senators."
Senate Democrats were eight short of the 60 votes needed for the bill to get a final vote. As the more than 20-hour session wound down, the final vote was 52-to-47 in favor of withdrawal. Four Republicans voted with the Democrats.
Some Republicans who opposed the bill were immediately targeted in personalized press releases, which national and state Democratic committees had ready to go in select states.
"We're mainly going after the Republicans in Minnesota, Kentucky, New Hampshire and New Mexico," said a party operative, who noted GOP senators were still smarting from recent Democratic TV ads attacking them over the war.
The Democratic-allied group Americans United for Change plans to air more ads in several states next month, when lawmakers are home. "They think it's hot in Washington. Wait until they get home. It's going to be like laying asphalt in August. They're going to feel it," said spokesman Brad Woodhouse.
The marathon session also offered a fresh chance for Democratic presidential contenders Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Joe Biden to hammer Republicans over the vote. Moreover, John McCain's limping campaign will have to explain why the Arizona senator once again backed President Bush's unpopular war strategy.
kbazinet@nydailynews.com
LinkHere
posted by Kangaroo Brisbane Australia at 12:32 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home