How did a blogger, with the help of the NH Legislature, help put pressure on an endangered Republican Senator and end the Iraq War with a single comment on a local blog?
The New Hampshire house, moments ago, voted 214-151 on HR 10, opposing President Bush’s Iraq Policy. New Hampshire is one of more than twenty states with similar measures pending, but I doubt any of the other resolutions has a back story quite as interesting as this one.
It all started with this comment posted in a diary of Representitive Jim Splaine’s:
Agreed, Rep. Splaine (4.00 / 3) Many State Legislatures are taking a stand against escallation. I wrote about this here.
Will you take the lead by introducing a resolution in the General Court against escallation in Iraq?
I'm currently Google-Bombing John McCain.
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by: nhcollegedem @ Sat Feb 17, 2007 at 20:31:30 PM EST
Well, he agreed with me. Rep. Splaine went to the House Rules Committee, and was allowed to introduce his resolution past the December 6th Filing Deadline. Then, he came back to the Blue Hampshire community to ask us for help in writing the legislation, and in gaining support for it in Committee. The Committee unfortunately voted to amend the Resolution, essentially reversing its intention.
Not to worry. The Amendment failed in the NH House, and the Resolution was passed with its original language.
Here is the text of the Resolution.
House Resolution #10
Referred to the House State-Federal Relations & Veterans Affairs Committee
07-1333.0 - 09/01
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Seven
A RESOLUTION opposing President George W. Bush's Iraq policy and urging the President and Congress to take actions relative to veterans' benefits and the war in Iraq.
Whereas, in the history of military campaigns for over 2 centuries beginning with the Revolutionary War, the people of the United States of America have engaged in military and diplomatic initiatives to gain and preserve freedom for all people; and
Whereas, the citizens of the state of New Hampshire strongly support the men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and arenas known and not yet known; and
Whereas, over 3,000 American military personnel, including 17 from New Hampshire, have died since March of 2003 in the hostilities in Iraq, and tens of thousands have returned home with significant unmet physical and other health care needs; and
Whereas, the citizens of the state of New Hampshire recognize, appreciate, and are forever thankful for the sacrifices that all of our American and New Hampshire soldiers have made, especially those who have given their lives or been wounded in previous and current battles to protect our freedoms; and
Whereas, the unknown timeline of the war in Iraq has stretched thin our National Guard and Reserves, including the New Hampshire national guard, and created a severe equipment shortage, thereby reducing the readiness level of our National Guard to fully meet its missions of responding to natural disasters, terrorism, and protecting us at home; and
Whereas, the New Hampshire house of representatives has an obligation to speak out on matters which affect the people of our state, and the ability of our government to protect us at home; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the New Hampshire house of representatives and the American people will continue to support and protect the members of the United States Armed Forces and the New Hampshire national guard who are serving or who have served bravely and honorably in Iraq and elsewhere; and
That the New Hampshire house of representatives disapproves of the decision of President George W. Bush, announced on January 10, 2007, to deploy more than 20,000 additional United States combat troops to Iraq; and
That the New Hampshire house of representatives calls on the Bush Administration and Congress to fund fully all benefits for veterans to appropriately care for our brave men and women when they return from this war and other combat; and
That the New Hampshire house of representatives urges the President and Congress to commence talks with the neighbors in the Middle East and begin the orderly withdrawal of American military forces from Iraq; and
That the clerk of the New Hampshire house of representatives send copies of this resolution to governor John Lynch, the president and minority leader of the New Hampshire state senate, the President of the United States, the United States Secretary of Defense, the United States Secretary of State, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the New Hampshire congressional delegation.
What is the political impact of this resolution? John Sununu, our incumbent Republican Senator who is facing an election in 2008, is already under a great deal of pressure for his continued support of Bush’s failed Iraq War policy. Now, he faces a barrage of stories highlighting his unwavering support in comparison to the protests of the NH State House.
I can tell you right now, its no good for Sprintin' Sununu.