U.S. Rep Jim Leach says U.S. must leave Iraq as soon as possible

[Dancing_Dave]

Leach says U.S. needs to leave Iraq as soon as possible
By Kristin Hoelscher

.
DES MOINES — Instead of focusing on his campaign like other stump speakers at the Iowa State Fair this week, U.S. Rep. Jim Leach emphasized the need for the United States to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible.

read the rest at http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1033460&l=1&t=Iowa%2B%2F%2BIllinois&c=24,1033460

What a relief to hear a Democratic Congressmen brave enough to say the right thing about this! I'd be happy to go to Iowa and work for his campaign!:)

[_NorCal_D_]

1. Leach is actually a republican,

if I'm not mistaken.

[King of New Orleans]

2. Yep he's a Repub

though pretty moderate

[KC21304]

3. He certainly is.

[Dancing_Dave]

5. Damn!

I was hoping to find a Democrat in the Midwest whose campaign I could really feel good about helping! I have friends in Iowa, it would work.

Hell, I'll go anywhere. Know any Democrats running for Congress who are saying we need to get out of Iraq now?

[mitchtv]

9. this is the best we can do in Palm Springs=Richard meyer

Our best candidate last time was ANTI-WAR, and was deserted by the DNC.Kinda like Kerry's position on Iraq
THE IRAQI WAR

As the war was being proposed, a friend asked me if I was for or against it. I immediately remembered President Eisenhower’s response to a similar question. I read a biography describing how Eisenhower was approached with the idea of the U.S. initiating an offensive FIRST STRIKE. I was sure he would say that the U.S. should never take this initiative. To my great surprise, he said that there’s nothing wrong or immoral with the concept, but if you choose to do so, you better make “damn sure you win”.

So my comment to my friend, “We better make damn sure we win.” was viewed with humor. “Of course we are going to win!” I said, “I’m not so sure. We can win the battle of Iraq; but we’ll probably create 800 million Muslims enemies. How are we going to win that war?”

Even without a State Department briefing, a commoner like me could see what has unfolded. We have simply won the battle of Iraq and have stirred up a hornet’s nest within a community of 800 million people. We all can learn. We can use power tactics and manipulation tactics to try to control this hornets’ nest; however, I don’t think anything will change until we develop a new way of thinking. “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.”

Instead of pointing fingers, we need to look at our past foreign policies. We have to admit that the U.S. significantly contributed to the rise of Sadam, Bin Laden, Noriega, and Castro. When they ultimately turned on us, our solution was war. What we have done in the past has not worked, why we would think it would work in the future. We need to change the way we think and we need to change our foreign policy.

Each of us in America has to accept responsibility for our failed policies. It is essential that we have a responsible Congress and President. If current foreign policy prevails, we’ll have more than one community of 800 million people that does not have our best interests at heart.

Our Exit Strategy!

First, we as a nation must stay unified, by supporting our troops and our veterans. I have opposed the war; but, I support an effort that was voted upon by Congress.

Next we need to replace the president and the administration with the expectation that the new president can re-capture the good relationships that we once had with most nations of the world. Then, we can ask (not threaten) the United Nations to take over the peacekeeping role as we withdraw our troops.
http://www.meyerforcongress2004.com/index.html

the weather will be very nice here in a month, and he's a lot better than Mary Bono

[dweller]

10. yeah, Kucinich

while he was running for Pres.

sorry you missed it.
dp

[Dancing_Dave]

17. I didn't miss it.

I'm talking about Congress now. Kucinich looks like a shoo-in for re-election in his Congressional seat from Ohio. Otherwise, I would certainly consider going there.

U.S. public opinion is actually turning against the Iraq occupation rather faster than it turned against the Vietnam Occupation. These things take time. I am interested in what Congressional canidates may be ahead of the curve here.

[gumby]

4. Ruh-Roh

Are the Repubs imploding?

[goforit]

6. I can't believe my eyes.......A repug trying to get us out!!!!

Quick grab a camera and tape recorder!!!!

About time!!!!

[Geo55]

7. Leach

is not on program.....did he check with * and the boys at Exxon-Mobil?

[movonne]

8. Maybe he knows something we don't.....

[Prodemsouth]

11. Anyone know if he voted to go to war with Iraq? or has had a change

of heart.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

14. He voted No.

[catbert836]

12. Yay

Finally a Republican has the courage to speak out against his controllers... too bad he's retiring .

[Gregorian]

13. Good to have you here.

Right on.

[Wabbajack]

19. He's not retiring

You're thinking of the guy from Nebraska.

[Sugarbleus]

15. Isn't there a retiring Repub Senator from Kansas saying the

same thing? Just heard it the other day. Can't remember the name. He says in retrospect he believes it was a huge mistake to go to Iraq. He even implied that going there was not just because of faulty intelligence...hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

The guy is moving to California. Apparently he has been invited to guest speak on KGO at some point. Weird huh?

[reprobate]

16. Now is only a democrat would say the same thing.

Oh, someone like.....John Kerry?

[TahitiNut]

18. Another one realizes DimSon will have no coattails.

The rats are leaving the ship.

[Moderator]

20. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=764250