In a conference call with anti-war activists, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, criticized the lack of movement on the part of the Democratic leadership in pushing hard enough for an end to the war in Iraq and went so far as to suggest maybe those members of the House ought to be ousted in next November’s election.
Woolsey made the remarks during a conversation that was posted on the Web by Rabbi Michael Lerner of Berkeley, who participated in the telephone call late last week.
Tim Carpenter of the Progressive Democrats of America suggested during the conversation that upcoming votes on measures to withdraw American troops and cut-off funding for the war is a “line in the sand vote.
“We in PDA should make it clear that if there are Democrats who are on the wrong side of this one, that there will be primary opposition when they seek their own renomination as the Democratic candidate for Congress.
“This movement has now drawn the line. If they’re not with us at this point in time, then we need to keep upping the ante from our end, to communicate to… moderate Democrats the political consequence of this vote.”
Responding, Woolsey said: “I think that’s a good idea, Tim. I’d hate to lose the majority, but I’m telling you, if we don’t stand
up to our responsibility, maybe that’s the lesson to be learned. I don’t know .”
Woolsey was among the first in Congress to call for an end to the war.
