Groups calling for an end to the war in Iraq are planning to protest Sen. Claire McCaskill when she thanks campaign supporters at an event in Springfield on Thursday.A source who has been in contact with the Peace Network of the Ozarks and Military Families Speak Out tells the KY3 Political Notebook that both groups are demanding a meeting with Sen. McCaskill in order to call off the protest.
The source says dozens of anti-war protestors from around the state are planning to show up at McCaskill's "thank-you" party to send a message.
"They'd like her to put her name on something that cuts off the funding. While she's not going to do that, they hope this pushes her in the direction of taking a hardline stance, not wishy-washy," the source says.
The groups involved do not believe McCaskill has done enough to end the war in Iraq.
"They are upset because Claire won't agree to meet with them," says the source. "They supposedly had a scheduled meeting and Claire did not show up. All of it blew up from there. They are upset because she's not pushing hard enough to end the war."
A member of the Greene County Democratic party says that party officials are worried that the protest will "just show divisions in the party, make Claire look bad, and be a useful tool for Republicans."
The Southwest Missouri chapter of Democracy For America has been involved in speaking with both sides in order to "open up lines of communication" and come to an agreement.
Right now, the source says the groups have not yet heard back from McCaskill's office about a possible meeting.
"If the protest goes on, the message will be, 'We were happy to work for McCaskill's election. She was much better than one of President Bush's yes-men. But now we must show her we need to work aggressively for peace, and for an end to the war,'" explains the source.
2 comments:
These anti war zealots remind me of the Nader supporters in 2000 who didn't think Al Gore was strong enough on enviornmental issues. They protested by supporting Nader instead of Gore. The result, of course, was an electoral majority for President Bush and years of neglect of enviornmental issues. Had those voters supported Gore he would have easily prevailed. He may not have done all they wanted for the enviornment but would have done much of it.
I respect the dedication these protestors have to their cause but sometimes their methods do more harm then good. Perhaps a protest of a Kit Bond event would be more appropriate. He who has demonstrated blind loyalty to the President on Iraq issues. At least McCaskill has asked tough questions and voted to challenging the Bush "surge" strategy. Not bad for only two months in office.
Looks like News-Leader endorsed Wright knowing they were going to run a dog story. Easy way to interfere with an election get Reed out of the way by running editorials either not telling his name or saying he was a weak candidate.
So now Cindy Rushefsky the News-Leader pick gets Zone 2.
My advice---do not buy the News-Leader---the sales of the paper have been dropping fast in the last couple years---order the Free Press!
Post a Comment