At today's telephone conference with the media, Randy Kuhl said that he's decided how he will vote on tomorrow's non-binding resolution on Iraq, but he's not going to reveal his vote in advance. He also called the debate a "charade" and said that he hasn't decided whether he'll make a floor statement.
I'm not buying what Kuhl's selling. If the vote was really just "political posturing", as Kuhl claims, then why is he keeping his vote under wraps? Why is he robo-calling constituents to ask them about Iraq?
I think Kuhl is under tremendous pressure from his constituents and from his party. This vote is the first in a string of votes about Iraq. Unless some miracle occurs and Iraq is stabilized in the next 18 months, each of his Iraq votes will become an issue in the campaign. Kuhl's vote tomorrow will have a major impact on his political career. Despite his protestations to the contrary, he and his staff are sweating it.
Update: Here's a sound bite from today's conference, thanks to reader Rich.
Comments
When you contact Kuhl's office the response is 'pass the message on'. Kuhl comes across as very indecisive and calculating - characters unbecoming of an elected leader.
Why is he playing it close to the vest? He's going to have to defend his position at some point.
Optimus, I think all politicians are calculating. Good politicians calculate in private and appear decisive and forthright in public. Kuhl's not doing that. But this will all be forgotten after the vote on Friday.
I also think he owes his constituents a speech to explain his vote.
I'll be pissed at him no matter how he votes. Pissed if he votes in favor of the resolution because of the complete hyprocrisy, considering his snotty 'Stay the Course' rhetoric during the campaign. Pissed if he votes against the resolution because he will be burying his head in the sand in denial of the reality on the ground. He can't whimp out by saying the vote doesn't matter, either. Iraq is the #1 concern with the public. We want a Congress that provides oversite to this president, not sits back in silence and lets him run roughshod over them.
Let's wait and see how he votes before we judge him. I'm not a fan, but I don't see the point in calling him a tool before we see how he voted and why he chose to vote that way.