Sheehan: I will run against Pelosi as an Independent if my demands aren’t met
Her supporters hope she “ends the war on America!!!!” Via the AP:
CRAWFORD, Texas — Bidding farewell to her former peace camp near President Bush’s ranch, Cindy Sheehan began a nearly two-week trek toward Washington D.C. on Tuesday with her sights set on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Officially announcing her run against Pelosi in 2008 if the San Francisco congresswoman doesn’t move to impeach Bush by July 23, Sheehan said she relates to the people in her home state and chided Pelosi for keeping troops in danger.
“I know what Californians care about,” said Sheehan, who plans to run as an independent. “They don’t care about the ruling power elite.”
Sheehan first told The Associated Press on Sunday about her plans to challenge the top-ranking Democrat. She made it official Tuesday at Camp Casey, named after her 24-year-old son who was slain in Iraq and whose death first led Sheehan to Crawford in 2005 to demand a meeting with Bush.
Pelosi spokesman Brendan Daly said Tuesday that Pelosi’s “focus is on ending the war in Iraq.”
“She believes that the best way to support our troops in Iraq is to bring them home safely and soon,” Daly wrote in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “Democrats will continue to hold the Bush Administration accountable by having votes in July to change course in Iraq; to responsibly redeploy our troops; and to refocus our effort on protecting Americans from terrorism.”
But Sheehan said Tuesday that’s not enough.
“You can’t bring the troops home if you give George Bush $100 billion to wage this war,” she said. “You’re not supporting them. You’re keeping them in harm’s way.”
After her announcement, Sheehan and about 20 anti-war protesters began their 1,500-mile, 13-day trip with a symbolic march to the edge of Crawford, where a billboard of Bush and first lady Laura Bush welcome visitors to this rural town.
20 anti-war protestors? My, how things have changed since the summer of 2005 …
Hat tip: Michelle Malkin, who has more details.
Prior this week: