Elizabeth Dole's absence from North Carolina has long been fodder for discussion among Democrats. We're prone to refer to her as a carpetbagger and talk about her 40+ year absence from the state, her voting history in Kansas, her run for president as a Kansan and her residence at the Watergate where she and husband Bob have lived since they were married in 1975. What we don't talk about is her long history of service in North Carolina because there is no history to speak of.
You would think that after a rushed residency period and her election to the U.S. Senate as a "North Carolinian" in 2002 that Dole would start spending a little more time in this state. Time she could use to get to know the people and our goals, dreams and hopes for the wonderful state we live in. Time she could use to gain understanding of the challenges and obstacles we face in North Carolina. If you honestly thought Dole was going to spend any substantive time here, you're wrong. Dead wrong.
Is Elizabeth Hanford Dole a qualified registered voter with a permanent residence in North Carolina or is Elizabeth Dole's permanent primary residence at the Watergate in our nation's capital?
The Watergate is much more than the name of a famous hotel where an even more famous burglary took place in the early 70's.
"Watergate is a cooperative apartment complex located in North West Washington, D.C.. The complex includes three apartment buildings (East, West & South), two office buildings, a hotel, and a shopping mall.?"
The Watergate has been described as a "city within a city." Most apartments are extravagant and have a price tag to match with many two-bedroom units going for well over $2 million. Winston and Winston Real Estate have several listings at 700 New Hampshire Avenue NW offering virtual tours. There are even a few listed that are down the hall from some of the Watergate's most famous residents, Bob and Elizabeth Hanford Dole.
This legislation gives reasonable deployment breaks to soldiers so the military doesn't break, and it has bipartisan support. Last time we got 56 votes for this, and with Tim Johnson it's 57. We only need three more to break with the Republicans to get this to pass. Senator Webb explains his amendment to the internets and why it's important to take action.
Here's the target list. Please call and ask these senators to support Jim Webb's pro-troop amendment:
Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska)
DC: 202-224-6665
Anchorage: 907-271-3735
George Voinovich (R-Ohio)
DC: (202) 224-3353
Cleveland: (216) 522-7095
Elizabeth Dole (R-North Carolina)
DC: 202-224-6342
Raleigh: 866-420-6083
John Warner (R-Virginia)
DC: (202) 224-2023
Roanoke: (540) 857-2676
Bonus - Ask Harry Reid to "don't let Republicans obstruct - make them stand and filibuster":
Harry Reid
DC: 202-224-3542
Las Vegas: 702-388-5020
UPDATE: Sure enough, Saint John Warner the Bipartisan Dreamboat is considering changing his vote because Bush promised him that a few thousand troops are coming home next year.
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