This week, Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor will cast a critically important vote to either support our troops fighting the war on terror or broadcast an arbitrary deadline for withdrawal to the terrorists, regardless of the situation on the ground.
Nearly two weeks ago
, Sen. Pryor VOTED AGAINST a nearly IDENTICAL provision that would have set a timeline in Iraq.
(S.J.Res.9, Roll Call Vote #75: Failed 48-50: R 1-47; D 46-2; I 1-1, 03/15/07; Pryor Voted Nay)
Afterwards, he stated that it was a “very, very tough decision there.
But my position on that is I'm opposed to a public timetable… I'm opposed to the surge, but I think it should be a classified timetable, and we do that on our own terms. It's just like in World War II. The Germans knew we were coming at D-Day. They didn't know when and where.
I don't want to telegraph what we're doing to the other side.”
(MSNBC’s “Hardball,” 03/16/07)This week, Sen. Pryor’s vote on Sen. Cochran’s amendment, which would strip the Iraq timetable out of this legislation, is going to be “critical” to determining whether the Senate ultimately passes a bill that sets an arbitrary deadline in Iraq:
“Democratic Sens. Mark Pryor and Ben Nelson are expected to deliver the critical votes this week, when members decide whether to uphold legislation that orders some troops home right away, with the goal of ending combat missions by March 31, 2008… Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., has proposed striking the withdrawal provision, which GOP members say would broadcast the nation's war plans to the enemy and tie the hands of military commanders.”
(“Senate's Iraq Vote May Come Down to Wire,” AP, 03/27/07) The Senator has repeatedly made it clear that he is AGAINST setting a public timeline in Iraq:
According to the Washington Post: "My strong preference would be to have a classified plan and a classified timetable that should be shared with Congress," Pryor said yesterday. A public deadline would tip off the enemy, "who might just bide their time and wait for us to leave," he said. "Then you'd have chaos and mayhem and instability."… ‘This is not an opinion poll question.’”(“Democrat Proposes Making Withdrawal Date Secret,” Washington Post, 03/27/07)
Washington Post: “The one Senate Democrat still uncommitted on the spending bill is Pryor, who has objected to setting public timetables for withdrawing troops. Although the March 31, 2008, date is described in the legislation as a goal, an aide said Pryor will spend the weekend weighing his vote.” (“Senate Democrats Float War Bill Similar to That in House,” Washington Post, 03/22/07)
Before the March 15, 2007 vote, Pryor stated: “President Bush should lay out for the American people measurable goals for success in Iraq; however, it is a grave mistake to publicly announce timetables and consequently hand over our game plan to Iraqi insurgents…” (Daniel Connolly, "Lincoln, Pryor Split On Iraq Troop Withdrawal Amendment," AP, 06/22/06)
Pryor also said: “I have talked to countless troops who have pleaded with me not to give the enemy any indication of troop movements, especially those showing we are reducing forces. They know it endangers them and their comrades. I cannot and will not put them at risk." (Daniel Connolly, "Lincoln, Pryor Split On Iraq Troop Withdrawal Amendment," AP, 06/22/06)
Call Senator Pryor and ask him whether he is going to
support America’s Troops and oppose a public timetable in Iraq:
Pryor’s Little Rock Office: (501) 324-6336
Pryor’s Washington, D.C. Office: (202) 224-2353
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has filed for divorce from his wife Amanda in Craighead County Court today. According to court documents, McDaniel is seeking joint custody of his daughter. McDaniel split from his wife on January 16th, only 1 week after his inauguration. They had been married since 1996.
