Only 16 Votes

Sixteen votes. That's all the Democrats need from the Republican senators to override Bush's veto of the bill that includes a timetable for withdrawl of U.S. troops from Iraq. The main banner of Obama's homepage depicts a hand signing a bill and encourages the public to contact their Republican representative to encourage him or her to support the bill and cross the aisle to do what's right.

Here's part of the e-mail I received Obama's campaign on the topic:

Barack has been traveling across the country asking people to speak out and let their Senators know that it's time to end the Iraq war. One Republican colleague has already called this "not Senatorial". But this isn't about Washington etiquette, it's about bringing our troops home.

This isn't a game. We need just 16 additional votes to override the president's veto and bring to a close this sad chapter in American history. It's going to take some convincing, but Senators need to hear from people in their states that they can join us to bring a responsible end to the war.

That's where you come in. There are 20 incumbent Republican Senators facing re-election battles in 2008. They will have to make clear very soon whether they will continue to block efforts to bring the troops home.

Now is the time to hold them accountable for their choices on the war. Their constituents are making their voice heard, but they need to hear from all of us. Will you speak out now and add your voice to the growing public pressure to end the war?

Make your voice heard.