Talk to Sen. Patty Murray

Mon Dec 4, 8:48 PM ET

Our current guest is Sen. Patty Murray (news, bio, voting record). The Washington Democrat will be responding to your questions and comments later this week. Thank you to everyone for your participation and to Sen. Murray for being a part of Talk to Power.

Having once been told she couldn't make a difference because she was just a "mom in tennis shoes," Sen. Murray ran for the Senate in 1992 and has held the position ever since.  She is currently a member of the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations.

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

At the start of the 109th Congress in 2005, Minority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) made her assistant floor leader, responsible for helping him coordinate activity during floor debates. In the 110th Congress, she will serve as secretary of the Senate Democratic Caucus. 

As usual, readers' questions and comments have covered a variety of topics. The war in

Iraq continues to be a primary concern, as does immigration. Readers also weighed in with comments about outgoing U.N. envoy John Bolton and
President Bush's pick to head the
Pentagon, Robert Gates.

On Robert Gates 

Comments on Mr. Gates tended to be negative. One wrote, "Is there any chance that Gates will NOT be confirmed by the Senate?"

Similarly, another wrote, "I'm a little concerned that Robert Gates is going to get a free pass to become the new Secretary of Defense." And a third reader asked, "How can any Democrat justify voting for [Gates's] confirmation?

One reader, noting that Mr. Gates said in Senate testimony that there are "no new ideas" about Iraq, asked: "Would an "ink-blot" strategy of protecting the Kurdish north and then spreading south as the Iraqi population accepts protection be a new idea, or has it been considered?"

On Iraq

One reader wrote, "Is the U.S. at war with any entity presently? If so, how does this country win decisively? What military action should the U.S. take with those who provide material support to such an adversary?"

Another reader, currently serving in Kuwait after serving in Iraq, wrote, "... let us proud few Americans that do this, do this thing and let us finish what we started."

On President Bush 

As has been the case with many other guests, the current boards have featured fierce debate over President Bush. One reader called for impeachment, writing, "Will you forego the political heat from your party and Washington insiders and support this effort to hold Bush responsible for the slaughter of thousands of people?"

But another reader took the opposite position: "Where should you, and the Democratic Party, draw the line between rhetoric that is in disagreement with the President's policies to root out Islamic terrorists and the rogue states that support them, and rhetoric that supports our enemies? It seems your party has gone out of its way to discredit the President, his policies, our war efforts, and in effect hurt our ability to engage the enemies we face. Do you see the benefits of the bold moves made since 9/11? Was it not important to show the U.S. is not a "paper tiger" to the Muslim world? How do you intend to keep up efforts to face down our many enemies?"  

On John Bolton and the U.N.

After Ambassador Bolton handed in his resignation this week, readers wrote in with their questions and concerns about why it happened.

One wrote, "The Democrats obstructionist behavior was no more evident than the terrible way John Bolton was treated. Can you explain... why this man was not given an opportunity for a vote?"

On immigration 

Yahoo! readers' comments on immigration were split.

One reader wrote, "Senator, the immigration issue is extremely important to resolve. I believe we have moral, ethical, practical and economic imperatives to help these 11 million immigrants. With so many people around the world who are not happy with the US, why not permit those who are still willing to risk their lives to come here, stay so that they can continue to work and become productive citizens?"

Another felt differently, asking, "Why is it that the politicians would rather discuss giving these criminals amnesty as opposed to discussing sealing the border and deporting every last one of these foreigners who have disregarded our laws to come to this country?"

And, after a Georgia senator's wife was granted a deportation reprieve, a reader wrote, "Why are they picking on this high profile lady who has tried to play by the rules but is lost somewhere in the paperwork mess? Let's put the handcuffs away and help her to break through all that paperwork that has been messed up by misunderstanding or ignorance by others."

On the budget and national debt 

A reader wrote, "Senator Murray, I believe the two greatest threats against our country at this point are the ever-growing national debt and the inability of this country has shown in developing a highly skilled workforce and encouraging the innovation and risk-taking that is required to maintain our economic security. What happens when foeign investors stop purchasing our debt? What happens when we continually consume more than we produce?"

On the Democrats and Congress    

Many readers wrote in pleading that Democrats and Republicans find common ground for the good of the country.

One wrote, "The Democrats are now in a position where they can't just sit back and criticize. What is their plan?"

Another reader asked, "What is it going to take to put civility back into Congress? There should be my party this and your party that... we are one country. Why can't we act like one? What steps do you plan to take to make government more polite?"

Asking about the disconnect between politicians and the people they serve, a reader wote, "How do you keep yourself grounded and in touch with the real people of this country? What is the main thing in your opinion, that leads to the disconnect between politicians and the people they represent?"

**** 

We encourage you to keep writing in with questions on these and other topics and remind you that civility on the boards is required. Thank you again for taking part in our discussion and be sure to check back on Thursday for Sen. Murray's responses to your questions.

Next: Sen. Patty Murray responds to readers' questions
Previous: Steny Hoyer responds to your questions

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Comments

Join the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.

1
Jimmy Carter in his book Palestine Peace not Apartheid describes a scandalous condition of Israeli imposed apartheid, political oppression, and land confiscation in Palestine, conditions far worse than Blacks suffered in the Jim Crow South. Will the Democrats stand up to the Israeli lobby, change course on Israel and demand an end to the occupation of Palestine and a return of the confiscated lands?
Posted by johnedordan on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 3:27 PM ET
2
Judging by the rhetoric from both parties, it sounds as if the partisan bickering and the in-fighting in our government will continue. In view of this, do you see an opportunity for a third party to arise in American politics since the majority of Americans are getting very sick of the endless and useless partisan bickering?
Posted by j_ertl22 on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 3:28 PM ET
3
Patty just get out of Iraq, it was extremely poor logic that put us their in the first place. They used the oil card and carma won.
Posted by marshatmtn on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 3:30 PM ET
4
The past six years have seen much partisanship and obstruction by your party in the Senate. You have shown very little independence when it comes to putting the peoples' business ahead of your party. As one of your constituents I want to know what you, as a leader in the Senate, are going to do to get the Senate back to business for the good of all those you represent.
Posted by jimb48 on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 3:34 PM ET
5
as if it is going to matter? as far as I personally see it, there is no such thing as an honest politician. they are all crooks, liars and thieves. voting is a joke. no matter whom is in office, we are always going to get screwed.
Posted by varickofml on Mon, Dec 4, 2006 3:37 PM ET