Last night, Senate Republicans blocked an up-or-down vote on a resolution condemning the President's escalation of the War in Iraq and his refusal to offer a new direction that the American people demanded in November. While 70 percent of Americans disapprove of President Bush's misguided strategy in Iraq, both Democrats and Republicans have voiced opposition to the escalation. Yet, Senators Elizabeth Dole and Richard Burr are still clinging to the same "stay the course" strategy that continues to be advocated by President Bush.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jerry Meek issued the following statement:

"Every day, North Carolina's brave men and women are serving our country in the war in Iraq. This is the most important issue facing our nation. As Bush 'Rubber Stamps,' Dole and Burr joined Republicans in giving a green light to the Bush's plan by blocking an up-or-down vote on a resolution condemning the President's plan to escalate the Iraq war."

"By sending more troops into the middle of the Iraqi civil war, the President is not just ignoring the will of the American people, he is ignoring the lessons of history, the advice of military experts and the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group. I call on Senators Dole and Burr to join Democrats in calling for a forward looking plan in Iraq that turns over the country to Iraqis and gets our brave men and women out of the crossfire of their civil war."

Dole: "[T]he bottom line is I am supporting the president's plan...Sen. Richard Burr, R, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, shares Dole's sentiments." [Winston-Salem Journal, 2/3/2007]

"As I've said before, this is about more than partisan politics. It's about the safety of our brave men and women. But if Dole and Burr continue to put partisan politics ahead of the will of the people, we will not hesitate to remind voters about it when they are on the ballot," Meek concluded.