Mayor Alan Autry may have gotten himself back on the good side of conservatives today after resigning from the United States Conference of Mayors because the group voted for an immediate pullout of troops from Iraq.
Here's the story that just broke.
Remember that Autry, who bills himself as a conservative Republican, has gotten criticism lately from conservatives for opposing mass roundups of illegal immigrants in Fresno County. Autry says it's hypocritical for the government to coax illegal immigrants to come to the United States to work in the fields or in hotels, and then arrest them for doing what government policies encouraged in the first place.
On Monday, though, he was back to his conservative side at the mayors meeting in Los Angeles. Autry said he opposed the Iraq resolution because it was proposed at the last minute and the mayors were not given time to debate it before they had to vote. It passed 51-47.
This is what Autry told Bee reporter Matt Leedy about the vote: "I have a lot of issues with the way this war has been run, but that's not the issue," Autry said in a phone interview. "The issue is: Do we send an arbitrary, ill-thought-out message? I believe we shouldn't."
He was within his rights to oppose the motion, but why withdraw from the group over a meaningless, symbolic resolution? Unless there are other, more valid reasons for quitting, that doesn't make sense.
Sounds like the group is meaningless and symbolic. Right on Bubba!
I don't know about you all, but I think any reason for quittin' a bunch of - for the most part - Demo Reds, is a good reason!
This is another example of Autry's reckless behavior. Our Tax dollars hard at work for nothing.
Grandstanding to make some sort of political point, allegence to his political party above his supposedly non-partisan Mayoral representation.
He may have better served us by just voicing his opinion, and voting No, or propose another vote to keep the troops in Iraq, (unfortunately) keeping them in harms way.
What's the the address to send our appologies to the United States Conference of Mayors?
Mayor this was a wrong-headed approach.
would someone please provide a list of conservative values, so that we can judge our politicians accordingly?