THIS is a great appointment. As someone who neighbors New Jersey, we saw alot of Menendez's TV campaign ads and Menendez took on Iraq straight forward about needed to change policy and get our troops out. Sure, I know there will be some comments about the torture bill, which I think the dems knew this one will go to the courts. But Menendez is a great additional to Foreign Relations. I hope the chairman, my senator Joe Biden, listens long & hard to Sen Menendez!
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1163571567150640.xml&coll=1Menendez, outspoken war critic, gets seat on Foreign Relations
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
BY ROBERT COHEN
STAR-LEDGER WASHINGTON BUREAU
WASHINGTON --
Sen. Robert Menendez was appointed yesterday to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for the new Congress, a perch that the New Jersey Democrat hopes will give him a voice in advocating a major policy shift regarding the war in Iraq. <<<<snip>>>>
Menendez, appointed at the start of 2006 to serve out the final year of Gov. Jon Corzine's Senate term, was elected last week to a full six-year term. Throughout his campaign against Republican Tom Kean Jr., Menendez stressed his opposition to the Iraq war and called for a shift in U.S. policy.
"The American people spoke in a loud, unequivocal voice on America's foreign policy and specifically on the war in Iraq," said Menendez.
"We urgently need a course correction," he said. "After billions in national treasure spent, thousands of American troops wounded, and over 2,800 who have made the ultimate sacrifice, it is now clear that we must transition our troops out of Iraq."