Like Rats Off Of A Sinking Ship

RepSenatorShipJumpers
Originally uploaded by Randuwa

I just saw “Ratatouille,” so I guess “references to rats” is understandable, no offense intended. But it’s been a very interesting week in our government’s resolve to fight the “War on Terrorism” in Iraq. Three GOP senators came out against “staying the course.”

Now while Democrats control the agenda, the margin is so narrow that without bi-partisan support, nothing moves very far beyond the “agenda” status. 50 Democrats constitute the right to hold the majority, because the one Independent, Barry Sanders of Vermont, has chosen to caucus with the Democrats giving them a 51 to 49 majority. In voting, this majority is hindered by the absence of Senator Tim Johnson of South Dakota as he recovers from his brain surgery and Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, who has never recovered from his kiss from George Bush – what a schill! But I digress. My point is that no matter how frustrated we progressives are with our recently elected Democratic majority; their ability to pay-off on our mandate still depends on the epiphany of a dozen or so Republicans.

So we must remember this, Republicans are not the brightest bunch. They really only need to memorize a few talking points and act in a consistent and rote manner in order to gain approval from their leaders, cash from their corporate backers, and media expertise from the GOP Machine Politic. Therefore, it’s really no surprise that after the fall election in 2006, only one member really stuck his neck out. Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska stood up and said, “Enough!” No doubt his own experience in Viet Nam helped to inform his personal outrage. Unfortunately, he had a sudden change of heart and backed off after consultations with the GOP “powers that be.” I like Chuck Hagel; it’s a shame that he predicated his political career on leading a company that created the first generation of computerized voting machines--machines without paper trails, machines which could be tampered with by the average 8th grade computer geek, and machines which were used for the first time in Nebraska when he won his Senate seat against a popular incumbent in the unexpected upset of the century….. Coincidence? Is anything left to chance in politics?

So back to the point: How many rats does it take to sink this rancid ship of war-profiteering, -mongering, and -mania? 12 plays it safe.

And where do we stand today regarding this goal?

Let’s consult the collage. Last week 3 senior senators took sides with us: Peter Diminici of New Mexico (who’s up for re-election in 2008), George Voinovich of Ohio, and Richard Lugar of Indiana. Beside them, I place in their camp the afore discussed Chuck Hagel (who’s up for re-election in 2008), and Gordon Smith of Oregon (who’s up for re-election in 2008). That’s 5. Those who have also expressed their concerns about the Presidents’ present policies in Iraq and I feel our clearly leaning our way are: Susan Collins of Maine (who’s up for re-election in 2008), Norm Coleman of Minnesota (who’s up for re-election in 2008), and Olympia Snowe, also of Maine. Now we’re up to 8. I can get us to 11 with three more opportunistic and/or principled GOP Senators. They are John Sununu of New Hampshire (who’s up for re-election in 2008), John Warner of Virginia (who’s up for re-election in 2008), and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who’s really pissed-off by the way the White House has used him in passing aspects of the “Patriot Act” that are clearly un-Constitutional.

But who will be #12? John Cornyn of Texas? Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina? Larry Craig of Idaho? All of whom are up for reelection and vulnerable.

Patience people. Not only do past elections have consequences, but future ones do, too! You can’t turn an oil tanker on a dime. But given enough incentive, you can turn it.