Randi Scheurer Attacks Melissa Bean on Iraq

Democratic Party primary challenger Randi Scheurer has release the following press release attacking Congressman Melissa Bean on Iraq:

Bean Cannot Be Trusted On Iraq

In a desperate ploy to prop up its flagging petition drive that had less than 500 signatures at the end of last week, the Melissa Bean campaign has resorted to outright distortions of her voting record to try to fool the party faithful into volunteering to work for her again.

A recent email from Field Director Ray Suelzer said, “Melissa has also voted twice for setting a troop withdrawal date for our combat forces in Iraq. She vote for a resolution OPPOSING the troop surge [sic].” Later in the email he attempts to contrast her with the Republican candidates, adding, “Needless to say, we know where Melissa stands: for a safe and responsible redeployment of our combat forces.”

Oh, really? So now, they are peddling this incumbent as an antiwar stalwart? Please!

When Melissa Bean first ran for office in 2002, before the invasion, she came out in support of the war. Public opinion was about 80% in favor of the war at that time.

When she ran again in 2004, she continued to support the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

Since taking office in 2005, she has voted every time to keep giving Bush a blank check for the occupation, and has voted against every bill to end the war.

After logging an empty symbolic gesture to oppose the escalation, Bean joined a small minority of Democrats, and all but two Republicans, in voting to give the Bush administration another blank check for the war — which included, and fully funded, the surge that she had just voted against.

Bean also voted against another Democratic measure earlier that month that called for a binding timetable to end the war and bring our troops home. This earned her a place on Democrats.com “hit list” of party incumbents for Democratic activists to replace in the 2008 primaries.

Suelzer’s email tells readers, “It obvious that the Republicans are not willing to withdrawal our troops safely and responsibly [sic].”

If someone reading this email did not know better, they might think Melissa Bean was another — well, another Randi Scheurer, her opponent in the Democratic Party primary this year.

Scheurer, whose own children served in the military, including a year in one of the most dangerous areas of Iraq, has been steadfastly opposed to this war from the beginning. Unlike Bean, Scheurer’s position on the war is truly clear. “Not one more day! Not one more death! Not one more dollar! Bring our troops home now, and take care of them when they get here.”

Bean has never really stated a clear position on the war, other that that she “supports the troops.” And, according to Randi Scheurer’s husband and former candidate, she never will.

“The incumbent lacks the moral integrity and political spine to make a clear statement on the war,” he says. “It appears that she is not against the war, but only against the way the other party is managing it. What does she (Bean) want — to ‘redeploy’ the troops, or to bring them home?”

In drawing out the false positioning of Bean as now being like another Randi Scheurer, her husband replies, “I know Randi Scheurer. Randi Scheurer is a friend of mine (in fact, we have been married 37 years). Democrats, don’t be fooled again: Melissa Bean is no Randi Scheurer.”


Comments

Randi Scheurer Attacks Melissa Bean on Iraq — 2 Comments

  1. One thing that Congresswoman Bean has going for her is her ability to perform well in parades. Her wave alone is incredible.

    Are any of her announced opponents as equally talented?

    I think that well coordinated marching is an essential skill that every member of Congress should possess.

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