If anyone sees my Senator would you please tell her I'm still waiting to hear from her?
Back in mid-July I wrote Barbara Boxer questioning her support of Joe Lieberman, a few days later I received the following reply.
July 25, 2006
Dear Steven,
Thank you for writing to me about the hotly contested Connecticut primary for Senate.
...
So why did I go to Connecticut? When Joe asked me to tell his constituents about our work together on the environment and choice, I told him I would.
I realize this decision has deeply disappointed you. I completely understand your position and only hope that you will come to understand mine....
continued below the break
Here's her reply, it's long but I feel her reply, in it's entirety, should be presented.
July 25, 2006
Dear Steven,
Thank you for writing to me about the hotly contested Connecticut primary for Senate.
I am traveling to many states throughout the summer and fall to help Democrats take back the Senate and House. I started yesterday morning at a campaign stop for Senator Menendez and then made appearances for Joe Lieberman in Connecticut before he left for a Bill Clinton rally.
So why did I go to Connecticut? When Joe asked me to tell his constituents about our work together on the environment and choice, I told him I would.
I realize this decision has deeply disappointed you. I completely understand your position and only hope that you will come to understand mine.
For 14 years, Joe Lieberman and I have shared an alliance on a range of progressive issues, especially two that are central to my public service -- the environment and choice.
We have worked side by side on the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee. When Bill Clinton was President, the stakes weren't nearly as high. But within hours of President Bush taking office, the environment was under attack.
Believe me, it has not been easy to fight the Bush Administration and the Republicans on this committee who try to undermine the environment, and its supporters, at every turn.
I know that's not news to you. But what you might not know about is the critical role that Joe has played in this battle.
The fact is, on every single fight I have waged on that committee -- from arsenic in the water, to air pollution, to pesticide testing on infants and children, to global warming, to Superfund and much more -- Joe has been a stalwart partner and leader.
Joe was the first author of legislation to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He was one of the first Senators to try to tackle the global warming challenge. The Republicans laughed at his efforts and refused to admit that we were right on this issue. But Joe was undeterred.
And it's the same with women's rights, especially choice. Each and every time a woman's right to choose has come to the Senate floor -- including late term emergency abortions -- I've had a reliable partner in Joe.
He is one of a small handful of Senators who has joined with me both times I have introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, the most strongly pro-choice piece of legislation in the U.S. Senate.
Because of his long record on choice and other important progressive issues, Joe has won the endorsement of organizations such as Planned Parenthood, NARAL, AFL-CIO, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Human Rights Campaign.
Of course, as you rightly point out, Joe and I don't agree on everything. And nothing has deeply disappointed me more than our complete disagreement on the Iraq War.
The fact is, I disagree with many of my usual allies on the war since my bill to redeploy troops out of Iraq by the end of THIS year is the toughest redeployment bill out there. As far as I'm concerned, I will stand alone to end this war.
Joe and I have virtually no common ground on Iraq except for one thing -- we have teamed up to provide comprehensive mental health care for our troops. Our amendment will ensure that our soldiers will not be sent into combat if they have mental health problems, including post traumatic stress, and that they will be able to get mental health help within 72 hours if they need it.
Again, this may sound easy, but the truth is, we had to work very hard to get our mental health amendment to pass the Senate, which it did.
I do not minimize the differences I have on the war with Joe -- or any of my colleagues -- but as I said, I also have a 14-year alliance on other progressive issues that are important to us, to California, and our country.
I understand that you disagree vehemently with my decision, as is your right. But, on August 8, the Democrats of Connecticut will make their voices heard on Joe's candidacy, and I will have deep respect for their decision.
Until then, I only hope that you will weigh our differences about this primary campaign against everything that ties us together, and please know that I will continue to work as hard as I can to earn your trust and support.
Best,
Barbara Boxer
I didn't, and don't agree with her on this but appreciated and respected the fact that she stood her ground and had the courtesy to reply to my concerns.
On August 8th, after Ned Lamont won the Connecticut primary, I wrote her again...
Dear Barbara Boxer,
Thank you for he reply when I contacted you disagreeing with your position on Joe Lieberman.
I do appreciate your efforts on our behalf, even when we don't always see eye-to-eye, but I would like your assurance that you will throw your support behind Ned Lamont now.
Joes "concession speech" showed exactly with whom, and where, his loyalty lies...
CSPAN failed to remove the "D-Connecticut" from under his name but there are a lot of us that did that months ago.
Regards,
Steve K
Waited a week... NO REPLY, so I decided to call her SF Office to find out what her post-election position... Lieberman or Lamont... Yes or No?
The woman who answered the phone (Boxers SF Office) said that she could not and would not tell me my Senators position because it was a Political Question and 'by law' they were not allowed to answer this type of question!
SAY WHAT?
I asked to speak to her superior and was informed by him (sorry, I didn't write down their names) that they weren't allowed to discuss the issue and he recommended I 'Google' "Boxer Lieberman".
So...
August 14th
Ms. Boxer,
I just got off the phone with two of your aides in the SF Office. I called to ask about your views and position regarding Joe Lieberman.
Your office informed me that they were not able to tell me your views... I thought that odd.
There are many of us Californians that are aware of your prior support for Mr. Lieberman that would really like to hear where you are now... your silence is deafening.
Regards,
Steve K
PS - Suggesting that your constituents "Google" Boxer + Lieberman is not the answer we want.
August 17th
Dear Mr. K:
I have forwarded your email to the appropriate campaign committee for response.
Sincerely,
Dan Hammer
Correspondence Director
U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer
I still have not received an answer
So... Sunday I sent this...
This is my third request in attempt to get you to state your position on Joe Liebermans and his bid for Senate running as a Independent.
I am working up a diary to post at DailyKos tomorrow... your silence is very telling and I guess I'll have to get some fellow Kossacks on this in order to hear back from you.
Steve K
Well, I held off an extra twenty-four hours but I still haven't heard a thing.
NOTHING about it on her official Senate website:
http://boxer.senate.gov
NOTHING about it on her PAC website:
http://www.barbaraboxer.com
If anyone sees my Senator would you please tell her I'd like to hear from her?