Ehlers gets earful from protesters

Analysis:

This article from the Grand Rapids Press covers a protest held outside of Republican Representative Vern Ehlers’ office as part of a kick-off for a ten week sustained campaign targeting Ehlers for his support of the Iraq War. The article gives more space to Representative Ehlers’ dismissals of the protestors than it does to either the protestors or Ehlers’ voting record.

The Press failed to verify Ehlers’ claims, letting his comments stand despite the fact that Ehlers offers no support for his assertions. Representative Ehlers claims that pulling troops out of Iraq would be “a total disaster” and that the United States is “going to need a presence there at this time,” but Ehlers gives no evidence to support his claim. Moreover, the Press fails to challenge Ehlers on these assertions. There is no reference to other sources on the war, nor is there any discussion of what other politicians have said recently about Iraq, including former war supporters such as Republican Senator Pete Domenici who recently called for a new strategy involving a significant reduction in troop levels. The Press also failed to tell readers anything about Ehlers’ support for the war, allowing Ehlers to state “I’m no supporter of war,” despite the fact that he has consistently supported the war in Congress and in public statements.

Story:

GRAND RAPIDS — Carrying signs and anti-war literature, 10 protesters lined the street in front of U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers’ local office Thursday, hoping to sway his view on the war in Iraq.

Members of Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, a national group calling for an end to the war, and Institute for Global Education, a Grand Rapids-based group that preaches nonviolence, waved signs reading “Keep ‘Em Safe, Bring ‘Em Home” at passing traffic on Michigan Street NW. Some drivers honked and flashed peace signs.

“We’re targeting the more-moderate representatives we believe will switch their opinions,” said Matthew Arnold, deputy field director for AAEI in Michigan. The group also is targeting Reps. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph; Tim Walberg, R-Tipton; Mike Rogers, R-Howell; and Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia.

Ehlers, who had left the office for a meeting when protesters arrived, dismissed the idea of changing his views.

“I’ve learned not to let protesters sway my views on the issue,” the Grand Rapids Republican said. “But, what they are trying to address is real and should be addressed.”

While protesters favor pulling troops out of Iraq, Ehlers said the matter is “too complicated for a solution that simple.” Removing troops would spell “a total disaster” abroad when they are trying to stabilize the country, he added.

“I’m no supporter of war, but that’s over the hill now,” he said. “The question is what can we do from here … and we’re going to need a presence there at this time.”