Posted on 01/28/2006 4:53:41 PM PST by new yorker 77
Cindy Sheehan, the peace activist who set up camp near President Bush's Texas ranch last summer, said Saturday she is considering running against Sen. Dianne Feinstein (news, bio, voting record) to protest what she called the California lawmaker's support for the war in Iraq.
"She voted for the war. She continues to vote for the funding. She won't call for an immediate withdrawal of the troops," Sheehan told The Associated Press in an interview while attending the World Social Forum in Venezuela along with thousands of other anti-war and anti-globalization activists.
"I think our senator needs to be held accountable for her support of George Bush and his war policies," said Sheehan, whose 24-year-old soldier son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004.
Feinstein's campaign manager, Kam Kuwata, said the senator "doesn't support George Bush and his war policies."
"She has stated publicly on numerous occasions that she felt she was misled by the administration at the time of the vote," Kuwata said by phone from California.
But with troops committed, Feinstein believes immediate withdrawal is not a responsible option, Kuwata said.
"Senator Feinstein's position is, let's work toward quickly turning over the defense of Iraq to Iraqis so that we can bring the troops home as soon as possible," he said.
Sheehan accused Feinstein of being out of touch with Californians on the issue.
She said she would decide whether to run after talking with her three other adult children. The Democratic primary will be held in June, and candidates must submit their statements for the voter guide by Feb. 14.
Kuwata said Feinstein and Sheehan appear to have a fundamental disagreement over whether troops should be pulled out right now. "That's why they have elections, and if she decides to file (paperwork to run), so be it," he said.
Sheehan said running in the Democratic primary would help make a broader point.
"If I decided to run, I would have no illusions of winning, but it would bring attention to all the peace candidates in the country," she said.
Sheehan, 48, who lives in Berkeley, Calif., said she would head to Washington on Sunday for protests against Bush's State of the Union address on Monday, and then return to California to discuss her idea of running against Feinstein with her son and two daughters.
"I can't see — if they think it's going to help peace — that they would be opposed to me doing it," she said.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.
Copyright © 2006 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved.
*Yawn*
Is there any way they can both lose?
The 19th amendment is the gift that keeps on giving.
Old Sparky will not shut up.
if they split the Dem vote, and the Repubs put up someone decent (no chance), it's possible for Dems to lose here in California.
She has no illusions about winning. Point taken. Apparently the illusions are elsewhere.
Ohhhh, Cindy, Cindy, Cindy.....
Feinstein had better watch out. She doesn't have a chance against a crazy woman in California.
If she decides to run, she's going to have to divulge where all her income is coming from!
I can't wait!
That would be cool. I can imagine the moonbats ripping into Feinstein for not stepping aside and letting Sheehan have it, thereby allowing a damn dirty Republican to represent the PRC.
LOL! Thats too good!
Can we be this lucky?
This is good news! Let Cindy Run. Let her rip into Feinstein or whom ever the Democrap candidate is. Split the vote. Get the wacko left wing fringe out there to completely fracture the democratic base. Hopefully, the republican party in California can actually put up a decent candidate who will be able to shine. Wishful thinking, I know, but stranger things have happened.
This is a good thing for Conservatives. Cindy Sheehan represents the attitude of the dems in power. Let the people see it in action. They will not like it.
"I can't see ....
See Cindy can tell the truth once in a while.
I don't know. I read on another post that the GOP may have a former State Senator with a military background who may decide to take a run at it. I can't recall his name but the post indicated he had a good reputation and was well liked.
It just gets better and better!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.