This past Friday Alan Grayson visited a gathering of his Southern California supporters at a private residence in Santa Monica. All day prior to evening event, emails trumpeting Robert Naiman's question - "Does Alan Grayson Want War With Iran?" had been flying around the internet. The lively discussion in the following video ensued - but the discussion continued with follow up emails - and yesterday morning Alan responded to continued calls for him to "stand behind the deal" and clarify his position - Dorothy Reik, President of Progressive Democrats of the Santa Monica Mountains asked for a definitive statement - You can read Grayson's reply below the jump.
Dear Dorothy:
From my perspective, letters like the one below from Joe are concocting a conflict that doesn’t exist. I have always been in favor of the nuclear weapons negotiations with Iran. I have never said, publicly or privately, that I’m against them. I have supported the President’s authority in conducting those negotiations, and I have disagreed, publicly, with those in Congress who said that the President’s authority should be curbed. I also have said that, depending on the specific circumstances, it is highly unlikely that I would vote to override a Presidential veto, on this or on other issues. In that sense, it’s ridiculous for anyone to say that I should “get behind” the President, the Democratic Leadership, the Progressive Caucus, or anyone else. I don’t have to “get behind” anyone. On the contrary, as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, I have been an active participant in this process that has led to this point. All that being said, I do not worship every word of the so-called “framework,” and the fact that it is called a framework should convey to everyone that it is very much a work in progress. As such, it is part of my job to explain how I think that the final agreement might be improved, which I have done. As I said, I think that the final agreement should include a complete end to Iran’s nuclear program and its ICBM program, and an end to Iran supplying missiles to terrorist groups. Believe me – I’m not the only one who feels that way, even among people within the Administration. So that’s where we all are, and I hope that these disturbing and dishonest misrepresentations that I am somehow in favor of war with Iran will end.
Sincerely,
Alan
Dear readers. I can't stick around to respond to this diary this morning - I will be back in several hours to check in. So be nice. I hope this diary is helpful.
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8:23 AM PT: I intended to include Howie Klein's advise in the original diary... here it is now:
If we want good governance, we need to recruit and support superior elected officials. Blue America would like to persuade Congressman Alan Grayson to run for the Florida Senate seat currently held by Marco Rubio.
~ Howie Klein
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peace