Iraq soldier criticises Bush in Salon

[roguevalley]

May 1, 2004 | WASHINGTON (AP) -- An Iraq war veteran expressed disappointment with President Bush on Saturday, saying the nation's leaders refuse to acknowledge the seriousness of continuing violence in Iraq.

"I don't expect our leaders to be free of mistakes. I expect our leaders to own up to them," said Army National Guard 1st Lt. Paul Rieckhoff, who was a platoon leader in Iraq.

Rieckhoff's comments, distributed by Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign, were the Democratic response to the president's weekly radio address. Usually, a public official gives the response.

"Our troops are still waiting for more body armor. They are still waiting for better equipment. They are still waiting for a policy that brings in the rest of the world and relieves their burden," said Rieckhoff.

Rieckhoff called his comrades in Iraq "men and women of extraordinary courage and incredible capability. But it's time we had leadership in Washington to match that courage and match that capability."

SNIP!


http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/05/01/iraq_veteran/index.html

[cjbuchanan]

1. Interesting use of the Democratic response

It seems to have been received well.

[NMDemDist2]

2. here is a link to his actual remarks

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=103-05012004