If there is one Democrat who should be showered in praise for his ongoing opposition to military action against Syria, it's Senator Tom Udall (D. NM):
http://www.kob.com/...
Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico is becoming one of the most outspoken critics of the president’s plan to intervene in Syria.
Heading into another vote this week, it is clear that Udall is sticking to his position.
Sunday’s appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press caps off a week in the spotlight for Senator Tom Udall on the subject of Syria.
“We all know first of all what he did, Bashar Assad, was a heinous act, it's despicable, it breaks my heart when you see that video,” said Udall.
Udall and his fellow senators watched graphic videos of chemical weapons being used against civilians, including children.
Most, including Senator Udall, are not arguing that Syrian President Assad was involved.
“But the big question for the congress right now is what is the most effective way to move forward,” said Udall.
Udall appeared on Meet the Press just days after he grilled Secretary of State John Kerry on Capitol Hill. - KOB 4, 9/8/13
More below the fold.
Here's a little more info on what Udall said on Meet The Press:
http://www.ibtimes.com/...
Senator Tom Udall, D-N.M., a member of the Foreign Relations Committee, voted no against intervention in Syria. On "Meet The Press," Sen. Udall voiced his continued opposition against military intervention, “I think the most important thing is we -- we all know first of all, what he did, Bashar Al Assad, was a heinous act. It’s despicable. My heart is broken when I see the video and you see woman and children dying as a result of chemical weapons.”
Sen. Udall continued, “I think it’s pretty clear that he did this, but the big question for the Congress right now is what is the most effective way to move forward? I think the American people don’t want to be embroiled in a Middle Eastern civil war.”
Sen. Udall emphasized that the United States hasn’t exhausted all diplomatic, political and economic alternatives to military action. - IBI Times, 9/8/13
Udall also hasn't been afraid to express his disappointment with the Obama Administration:
http://www.politico.com/...
“I’m very disappointed that the administration has given up – they have given up – on the United Nations and rallying the world,” Udall said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”
“The American people don’t want to be embroiled in a Middle Eastern civil war,” Udall said. “We haven’t exhausted all of our political, economic and diplomatic alternatives. That’s where I want to be focusing on.”
Udall said that diplomacy has given way to a rush to war without the support of the world.
“We ought to be rallying the world. Because all the world agrees, David, you shouldn’t use chemical weapons,” Udall told host David Gregory.
Udall added that Russia, who has opposed a United Nations Security Council resolution on the issue, should know “that they’re complicit in this.” - Politico, 9/8/13
Udall and his colleague, Senator Chris Murphy (D. CT), who both sit on the Senate Foreign Intelligence Committee, have been the two leading Senators voicing their opposition to military action regarding Syira. Both these men deserve praise for their bravery. Of course Udall also has other great colleague that deserve praise:
http://www.theatlanticwire.com/...
Two prominent Democrats urged the President to consider alternative options to a military strike in Syria during their appearances Sunday. Massachusetts Rep. Jim McGovern told State of the Union he doesn't see the President's vote in the House passing. "I don't think the support is there," McGovern said, explaining that Congress "has to deal with" other things. McGovern said that he won't support the President's request for a strike. "Look, I'm a big supporter of Barack Obama," he said. "But sometimes friends can disagree." McGovern blamed an "inability to think outside the box," from the White House when looking for alternatives to a military strike. This echoes comments made by Democratic New Mexico Sen. Tom Udall on NBC's Meet the Press. "I’m very disappointed that the administration has given up – they have given up – on the United Nations and rallying the world," Udall said. "The American people don’t want to be embroiled in a Middle Eastern civil war. We haven’t exhausted all of our political, economic and diplomatic alternatives. That’s where I want to be focusing on." Udall said that there should be a larger effort to gather a global consensus before any action is taken. "We ought to be rallying the world. Because all the world agrees, David, you shouldn’t use chemical weapons," he said. Udall also said it must be made clear to Russia Russia "that they’re complicit in this," for their unwavering support of the Assad regime. "It was a heinous act, it was despicable. My heart is broken when I see that video," Udall said. "But the big question for the Congress right now is what is the most effective way to move forward." - The Atlantic Wire, 9/8/13
Lets make sure Udall easily wins re-election next year and please do donate to his 2014 re-election campaign:
https://secure.tomudall.com/...