Iraq War vote didn’t derail career in Congress
Rep. John J. Duncan Jr. thought he was probably ending his political career when he pressed the “no” button and voted against war with Iraq.
Sixteen years later, the Tennessee Republican will leave Congress on his own terms.
Duncan, one of only seven Republicans to vote against the Iraq War and the only one of those seven still in office, announced last week that he will not seek reelection next year.
The soft-spoken congressman’s decision to defy his party and oppose what he considered an unnecessary conflict was the defining moment of his nearly 30year career. Duncan is convinced he made the right call.
“What I’ve noticed over the years is so many people who haven’t served in the military, they seem to have this real strong desire to prove how tough they are and prove their patriotism,” he said.
The Senate approved the war resolution on a 77-23 vote. Only seven Republicans voted against the war. Six of those seven would go on to lose their races for reelection or would eventually retire from Congress. Duncan, though, remained in office.
He did face repercussions. “For three or four years, it was clearly the most unpopular vote I had ever cast,” Duncan said.
Public opinion on the war — and Duncan’s vote — shifted.
“It slowly became the most popular vote I have ever cast,” Duncan said. “I think to this day, it still is.”