[Peace-discuss] notes on UFPJ legislative call

[Robert Naiman]

I thought folks might find this of interest. These are notes on the
UFPJ legislative strategy conference call last night taken by my
colleague Patrick McElwee.

According to Sue Udry's note announcing the call, you may listen to a
recording of the call by calling: playback number: 641-985-5006 code:
381726#

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Notes on Conference Call, UFPJ Legislative Strategy, March 6, 2007;

Agenda

   1. Focus on House of Representatives – where the action is; Sue has
been working on this; then questions
   2. Share experiences around the country
   3. General discussion about the House
   4. Situation in the Senate – very unclear at the moment

   1. House – a lot of flux
         1. 2 ½ weeks ago – Murtha readiness standards; but then got
trashed on the left and right; looks like it wants to stick with the
strategy of readiness, but
         2. conservative Dems insisting that he add a waiver if
President justifies why he has to do that (worse from our point of
view)
         3. Berman proposal to "make everyone happy" (Sue not very
keen on it) – tying benchmarks for Iraqi government to troops staying
there; Berman thinks the peace movement knows the Iraqis will not meet
benchmarks; pro-war people think they will meet them; this was
mentioned in the Post today
         4. Out of Iraq caucus trying to come up with language on
fully-funded withdrawal – strict timeline and force supplemental to be
spent only on safe and speedy withdrawal; think it might play well
         5. Dem caucus meeting tomorrow at noon to figure out their strategy
         6. Murtha obviously not going to fulfill his pledge to markup
the bill by tomorrow; other date is March 14 when he says it will be
on floor – not sure if that's possible.
         7. Our allies (those who typically vote against
supplementals) saying they will vote against unless they get
"immediate" withdrawal timeline; not sure what "immediate" means
         8. Everything unacceptable to UFPJ unless there is a strict
timeline for withdrawal

   2. Many upset with Win without War and MoveOn.org for seeming to
get behind Murtha; BUT, WinWithoutWar had a meeting today and decided
against the wimpy things Dems are talking about except a strict
timeline for withdrawal – so it looks like the peace movement, from
Dems across the spectrum, are standing strong against the supplemental
unless there is a timeline for withdrawal

   3. it is not out of play to get a timeline into the bill when
Murtha puts it forward or to put forward an amendment in committee

   4. UFPJ pushing for Murtha to include Iran language as part of the
supplemental
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