Curt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You are choosing your facts. Address the Mercer
> cuts in their entirity, not just the Broadway.
>
> Neither party has a good record with Amtrak. Both
> parties have Amtrak supporters. You just can't
> address the issue in partisan terms alone.

I don't know who or what Mercer was, but my singling out the Broadway Limited does not constitute choosing my facts any more than those who criticize Carter for the train discontinuances who failing to acknowledge that a number of trains were added during his administration and his administration's budget request was the highest in Amtrak's history up through 2008. But since you want me to address the Mercer whatever in its entirety here it goes:

Desert Wind: Eliminated in 1997 during the Clinton Administration. Various schemes to revive the Los Angeles - Las Vegas portion have been hatched, but when or if they will ever come to fruition is unclear.

Pioneer: Eliminated in 1997 during the Clinton Administration. A study assessing reinstating this route is currently underway. If any Western train route has a chance of being resurected within the current Administation, this would be it.

Broadway Limited: Pittsburgh - Chicago segment eliminated in 1995 during the Clinton Administration, but the New York (or Philadelphia) - Pittsburgh segment retained and renamed the Three Rivers. Subsquently extended to Chicago (but minus the Broadway Limited's dining car) during the Clinton Administration (don't remember which year this was). Three Rivers was discontinued during the Bush 2.0 Administration,

My point is still valid.

Its true that both parties have Amtrak supporters. One of these was Pennsylvania's Rick Santorum, one of the most powerful men in the US Senate. Why he couldn't prevent the Three Rivers from being discontinued is a mystery.