On Friday, Grand Rapids area congressional Representative Vern Ehlers once again voted to support the ongoing occupation of Iraq. Like his Republican collegues in the House from Michigan, Ehlers opposed a supplemental funding bill passed by the Democrats that sets a September 2008 deadline for withdrawal from Iraq. Representative Ehlers vote came days after a poll of Michigan residents found that 25% support an immediate withdrawal and 33% support a withdrawal within the next three to five years. Ehlers has consistently supported the war and occupation and recently declared in the media that it would be “stupid” to leave Iraq. Those who remember Ehlers’ October 2002 vote in favor of authorizing force against Iraq will no doubt recall that Ehlers’ spokesperson was quoted saying that calls, letters, and emails to the office averaged 50-1 against war, yet Ehlers voted for the war.

Of course, it is worth remembering that the bill was crafted by Democrats to make themselves appear to be acting against the war when in reality it not only continues to fund the war but proposes a timetable that means troops would not even begin to start withdrawing for over a year. Still, President George W. Bush has pledged to veto the bill and despite a lot of backroom deals and special spending packages in exchange for votes, it is not likely that the Democrats will be able to override a veto.