Fri
Feb 16 2007
06:27 pm
Kudos To Duncan
By: Justin

Congressman John "Jimmy" Duncan of Knoxville broke from his party today in the vote opposing President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq.
Duncan, a Republican, voted for the measure. The rest of the Tennessee delegation voted along party lines --- Democrats for it and Republicans against.

Duncan said he considers the war a waste of American lives and resources.

He was one of a handful of Republicans that voted against going to war in Iraq the first time around...

Topics:
bill young's picture

Can not serve

Submitted by bill young on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 7:00pm.

I am a Democrat but I will vote for Jimmy Duncan because of his opposition to this war & is why I can not serve on the Democratic Executive Committee.The by-laws say one may be impeached for not supporting the Democratic nominees.In this case my opposition to the war is more important than Party politics.

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Duncan's tops

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 7:58pm.

I share your admiration for Duncan, Bill, on this basis and on several others, and I am a Democrat, also.

Duncan runs his office on a lean budget, relative to many other congressmen, yet he's always been the go-to guy for a great many citizens with a great many questions and concerns. His accessibility. and his dependability, in terms of follow-up, can't be beat. Voters have a strong sense that he knows who he works for!

I'll never forget his quote on the vote to invade Iraq in '03: "They haven't attacked us, they haven't threatened to attack us, they don't have the ability to attack us." Those were the relevant questions, that weren't asked, but he knew the questions and answered them anyway.

Maybe, as the Democrats are increasingly recognized as the party of fiscal restraint (and hey, my B.S. was in business), he'll join our ranks! I *would* like the opportunity to talk him out of his focus on a national sales tax, though, maybe at some Dem cocktail gathering ;-)

Rachel's picture

Can't share all this Duncan love

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:36pm.

Yeah, he was right on Iraq, and it took some guts for him to vote against the war.

But on a lot of issues he's just way, way, way too rightwing for me.

And I admit I've not been a fan since I sent him a letter about something I really cared about, and his response invited me to write him again when I had something "important" to talk about.

JaHu's picture

And I admit I've not been a

Submitted by JaHu on Sat, 2007/02/17 - 8:45am.

And I admit I've not been a fan since I sent him a letter about something I really cared about, and his response invited me to write him again when I had something "important" to talk about.

I have written him thrice in email form. First time was the day before the vote on the Iraq invasion which I was against. I received a nice letter from him a few days later saying that he was also in opposition of the war and that he voted against it.

The second time I wrote him, it was about how I thought it was wrong how credit card companies preyed on young adults, and thought something should be done about it. Never heard from him on this issue.

The third was about the draft being re-instated. I think I was just suckered into that one, I heard later that it was just a political ploy. I don't expect to be hearing from him on this issue.

*******************

Updated statement to the upper portion of this comment that I wrote last night:

I left my point hanging, I'm bad about that!

I assume Duncan receives hundreds of letters from his constituents monthly. So taking this into consideration, I felt the fact that I received one response out three, wasn't too bad. He addressed the issue which was obviously the most important issue of concern, the war, and he didn't on issues that were basically my pet peeve concerns. So I can't fault the man there. As far as the response that you received from him, although he could have been a little more receptive to the problem of your concern, and definitely a little more diplomatic. The fact that you did receive a response, says something for his character. I'm willing to bet that not many Congressmen even respond to letters.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Moderate Matt's picture

You should check out

Submitted by Moderate Matt on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 9:11pm.

You should check out Duncan's speach on Feb 14th. Duncan was the only Republican I voted for back in November. If I remember correctly he was also the lone Republican I voted for back in 2004.

Anyway, I just got done posting about Duncan being the only Republican from TN's congressional delegation to vote for the resolution.

JaHu's picture

Duncan's last Legislative

Submitted by JaHu on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:04pm.

Duncan's last Legislative report just about floored me, but in a good way! He covered everything from the abuse of the Constitution, to the North American Union. It was a very informative letter that was written by a very rational human being. If you haven't read it, try to get a copy, it is the December 31, 2006 Washington Report.

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Duncan's Washington Report

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:23pm.

I read every issue--quarterly, I think it is. My husband is a Republican and is on the mailing list. The poor guy doesn't know Duncan sends a questionnaire with every issue, though, because I always snatch it out and return it before I pass on the Report to him.

My guess is that a lot of wives are doing this, and Duncan is listening to us ;-)

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Bigger fun...

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:32pm.

Oh, and what was even bigger fun was filling out Bill Dunn's questionnaire! He was so perplexed, he phoned me!

JaHu's picture

I always snatch it out and

Submitted by JaHu on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:46pm.

I always snatch it out and return it before I pass on the Report to him.

Sneaky but smart. I hope you haven't jeopardized your tactical political strategy by releasing this important information publicly?

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Tamara Shepherd's picture

Not to worry...

Submitted by Tamara Shepherd on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:47pm.

...I don't think my husband can read.

JaHu's picture

I don't think my husband can

Submitted by JaHu on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:51pm.

I don't think my husband can read.

Republicans!

Adrift in the Sea of Humility

Scott Emge's picture

Thank you Congressman Duncan!

Submitted by Scott Emge on Fri, 2007/02/16 - 11:28pm.

I have always voted for Congressman Duncan and his most recent call for an end to the war in Iraq is just one more reason I am proud of my votes. He is a true conservative and, unlike most in Washington, speaks from his heart and does what he thinks is right for his constituents and his country, regardless of partisan politics. Thank you Mr. Duncan.

Scott Emge's picture

I write to our delegation in

Submitted by Scott Emge on Sat, 2007/02/17 - 12:05pm.

I write to our delegation in Washington fairly regularly, and Duncan is the only one that responds with real letters addressing my concerns. He gets props from me because he has responded to every letter and email I've sent him. Our Senators (when they do respond, which is not very often) send out a generic form letter basically stating that they hear what I'm saying but they will continue to rubber stamp everything the president does.

Justin's picture

I have written to him

Submitted by Justin on Sat, 2007/02/17 - 12:27pm.

I have written to him several times (in particular re: the Patriot Act...he didn't like it either) and have always received a "real" letter in return.

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