Survey of 2006 House campaign websites: on War & Peace
Betty Sutton:
Demand a timetable so we can bring our brave troops home
I believe Congress must take the lead and demand that a timetable be set for the Iraqi people to take control of their own country, so we can bring our brave troops home quickly and safely. Until we set a clear timetable for returning America’s military
men and women home, the Iraqis will never take control of their own security.I oppose President Bush’s misguided war. Bush misled the country into this tragic war. I oppose this war out of devotion to this country I love.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, bettysuttonforcongress.com
Nov 7, 2006
Bruce Braley:
Investigate fraud and no-bid contracts in Iraq
Investigate Fraud and Abuse in Iraq. We need a Congress that will use its investigative powers to look at the no-bid contracts for Halliburton, how $9 billion in US government cash went missing in
Iraq while our troops went without the body armor they need to do their jobs safely, and what role oil companies are playing in Iraq.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.brucebraley.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Bruce Braley:
Develop an exit strategy & a new direction for Iraq
Our foreign policy in Iraq is headed in the wrong direction and is in need of a change. It is time that Congress exercise oversight in the Iraq mess and push for a new direction, not more of the same. - Investigate Fraud and Abuse in Iraq.
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Turn the Fighting Over to the Iraqis. The President needs to develop an exit strategy that includes some sort of timetable for bringing our brave troops home.
- Ensure Our Troops Have the Body Armor They Need.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.brucebraley.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
David Loebsack:
Iraq war did not need to happen; disengage immediately
The situtation in Iraq: Nowhere has the failure of the Bush approach been more evident than in Iraq. This is a war that did not need to happen and one from which we should begin to disengage immediately. Our troops have successfully laid the groundwork
for the Iraqis to construct a political system of their choosing. The costs of a continued U.S. presence will far outweigh any conceivable gains. Nor should the removal of American combat forces from Iraq be followed by any kind of permanent base.
Source: 2006 House campaign website loebsackforcongress.org “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Dennis Kucinich:
International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in
International Cooperation: US out of Iraq, UN in: America must return to its role as the most admired--not hated--nation. The doctrine of “pre-emption” must be retired, as well as the current aggressive, unilateralist foreign policy that makes our
homeland less secure, not more. Our security will be enhanced by working with other nations and the UN instead of acting like an Empire. I continue to work to implement two measures I sponsored in Congress: the Space Preservation
Treaty, which bans space-based weapons, and a cabinet-level Department of Peace, to establish nonviolence as an organizing principle in both domestic and international affairs.
We must cut bloated and unneeded weaponry from a military budget that now
almost equals the military spending of all other countries combined. The resulting peace dividend can then be invested in other pressing domestic needs.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.kucinich.us
Nov 7, 2006
Ed Perlmutter:
We rushed into Iraq war
I opposed the decision by George W. Bush to invade Iraq because I felt at the time that the Bush Administration was rushing into a war without proper planning, without necessary international support and without finishing the job against Al Qeada in
Afghanistan. I felt so strongly about the failure and blunders of the Bush Administration that I co-chaired the Kerry Campaign Colorado in 2004. If John Kerry were president our policies would be vastly different than they are today.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, perlmutter2006.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Hank Johnson:
Leave Iraq as soon as possible, sensible, and ethical
The War in Iraq is and always has been a mistake, and I have stood by this position since before Day One. The alleged weapons programs and stockpiles simply did not exist, and it is unacceptable that we are now engaged in such unnecessary and destructive
conflict. When should we leave? As soon as is possible, sensible, and ethical. To set a hard date for a pullout would be imprudent and risk further endangering our troops. To leave a devastated country in civil war would be immoral.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, hankforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Harry Mitchell:
We need an exit plan; “stay the course” is just a slogan
The President and Congress have mismanaged the post-Saddam era in Iraq. And to this day, the Administration has not developed a plan for victory. Instead, we are operating an occupation in Iraq without a clearly defined mission, without vision
and without an exit strategy. The current strategy of “stay the course” is not a plan--it’s a slogan, and it offers a dangerous open-ended commitment of more of the same failed policies. It’s time to develop a plan in Iraq, and to establish benchmarks
Source: 2006 House campaign website, harry2006.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Heath Shuler:
Change course in Iraq but do not leave a political vacuum
We must change the course in Iraq because the status quo is unacceptable. We must begin setting clear benchmarks to measure success in the rebuilding of Iraq. We cannot leave a political vacuum in Iraq and threaten to further
destabilize the entire region. We need new leadership to offer clear alternatives to the current approach of staying the course. We must win this war and get our troops home.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.heathshuler.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Jason Altmire:
Congress must ask for realistic goals in Iraq
Pres. Bush led this country into war based upon facts that were simply untrue. There were no weapons of mass destruction; and we were not greeted as liberators. The President went to war without a clear strategy for victory and has ignored the experts on
the ground in Iraq. We need a Congress that will ask the Administration to produce a clear and realistic set of goals that will measure progress on the ground and the ability of the Iraqis to take control of their country as soon as possible.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.jasonaltmire.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Joe Courtney:
Iraq war is biggest foreign policy disaster in a generation
Bush’s headlong rush into war in March 2003 has been the biggest foreign policy disaster in a generation. The war in Iraq was justified with inaccurate and misleading intelligence, was conducted with inadequate troop strength and no exit plan, and has
left our country isolated in the world with our military stretched to the breaking point. We are spending $10 billion of borrowed money per month with no end in sight and get nothing but mindless slogans such as “Stay the Course” as a policy.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.joecourtney.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Joe Donnelly:
Conclude the Iraq mission and bring our soldiers home
Nothing can change the series of mistakes this administration has made in Iraq, but we can and must make tough decisions about the future so that we can successfully conclude the mission and bring our soldiers home.
Congress must insist on a clearly defined plan to complete the Iraq mission.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, donnellyforuscongress.com
Nov 7, 2006
Joe Sestak:
We’ve achieved our goals; withdraw from Iraq by end of 2007
Withdraw from Iraq by end of next year: We must use our prompt military disengagement from Iraq to force the three major parties to understand that America has achieved its ends: (1) no weapons of mass destruction threaten us; (2)
we have provided a framework for democracy; (3) we have provided resources to begin to revive their economy; and (4) a torturous dictatorship has been removed.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, sestakforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
John Hall:
Extricate from Iraq by transferring to multinational force
I believe America has, and should always have, a first-rate military. I did not support the invasion of Iraq. I believe in following the Constitution by letting Congress decide when to declare war, but in this instance Congress and the
American people were deceived. Now that we’re in this mess, we should extricate our troops as quickly as possible by transferring control to a true multinational force.
Source: 2006 House campaign website johnhallforcongress.com “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
John Sarbanes:
Start planning Iraq disengagement immediately
It is long overdue for the Bush Administration to provide Congress and the American people with a concrete plan for bringing our troops home. The Democratic leadership in Congress must take action immediately - that means today - by petitioning the
President to deliver two proposed disengagement plans for Iraq: one that would bring our troops home within six months; the other that would bring them home within twelve months. As long as the Defense Department resists providing concrete
scenarios for disengaging our troops, it is impossible to evaluate the risks and benefits of any particular course of action. The Bush Administration must get its head out of the Iraqi sand and offer the American people a meaningful plan for bringing
our troops home. An effective plan must embrace the following components:- Set a timetable for disengagement
- Adopt an effective counter insurgency strategy
- Bring reconstruction to the UN.
Source: 2006 House campaign website sarbanesforcongress.com “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
John Yarmuth:
Immediately begin to remove its military footprints in Iraq
The United States should immediately begin to remove its military footprints in Iraq. This means restricting all military personnel to defensive and training roles, and insuring that no American troops are in harm’s way.
The balance of troops should be withdrawn from Iraq, but some forces should remain in the region for deployment as needed.
Source: 2006 House campaign website yarmuthforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Keith Ellison:
Immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
I am calling for an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. I opposed the war before it began; I was against this war once it started and I am the only candidate calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.keithellison.org, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Mary Fallin:
Timeline for withdrawal sends wrong signal to insurgents
I believe democracy will prevail in Iraq and that America’s role in the process is just and right. Ultimately the Iraqi people themselves will win democracy. But as Americans, I believe we must continue our role in this War on Terror and be united as
we support our troops and our President. Some have suggested we set a timeline for withdrawing American forces from Iraq. This would be a mistake. It sends a signal to the insurgents that we are less than fully committed to the cause.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.maryfallin.org, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Michael Arcuri:
We need a strategy for bringing the troops home from Iraq
We need a strategy for bringing the troops home. More remains to be done, but that is the job of the Iraqi people, not the US military. It’s time for us to recognize that our forces have accomplished all that they can reasonably accomplish and begin to
work with the Iraqi government to draw down and redeploy our forces. We can’t cut and run, but keeping our troops in Iraq indefinitely will only breed resentment. 2006 should be a year for sovereignty in Iraq, 2007 a year for redeployment
Source: 2006 House campaign website, arcuriforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Nancy Boyda:
Establish a realistic plan and a timeline for Iraq
This chaos in Iraq is a direct result of the current administration’s poor planning for the occupation of Iraq. Due to their failures, Iraq has become a training ground for terrorists, who may pose a greater threat to our security than Saddam Hussein
ever did. “Stay the course” is a political slogan, not a military strategy. The administration must establish a responsible, realistic plan for dealing with the insurgency and a timeline during which the Iraqi citizens must establish a viable government.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, nancyforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Nick Lampson:
WMD info was incorrect; Iraq vote based on faulty intel
I supported the President’s request to authorize force in Iraq, and that was the right vote considering the information I was given. I have since found that the information I was given, that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, was incorrect.
We have learned since Congress voted to authorize force that our decision was based on faulty, outdated intelligence. When Congress is forced to make the difficult decision of whether to send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way,
it is critical that we have the most accurate intelligence available to make our decision. Whatever the reason Congress was given substandard intelligence, someone must be held accountable and we must look for ways to make sure it never happens again.
Clear and honest intelligence is imperative for the defense of our nation and the men and women serving our country in uniform deserve that much.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, lampson.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Patrick Joseph Murphy:
Responsible exit strategy, with benchmarks and a timeline
Our troops toppled the Saddam Regime and made sure that there were no WMDs. It is time to change the direction in Iraq, and we need to start bringing our men and women home now. Patrick believes in a responsible exit strategy, with benchmarks and
a timeline, which encourages the Iraqis to stand up on their own, brings our men and women home, and most importantly, closes this chapter of our history and refocuses our efforts to win the War on Terror.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.murphy06.net, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Peter Welch:
Withdraw US troops from Iraq in 2007
Congress must do what the Bush Administration has failed to do - advocate a plan for the peace in Iraq that includes the withdrawal of US troops in 2007. Welch believes that it is the duty of the President to provide Americans with a plan for returning
responsibility of Iraq to the Iraqis and to bring our troops home and that plan must include a timetable. It is Congress’s duty to hold the President accountable to do so, and to stop being a rubber stamp for his policy of drift and indecision.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, welchforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Steve Cohen:
Bush lied toget us into Iraq; focus on Afghanistan instead
The administration lied to get the US into this war. Following a high-tech, high-cost invasion they had no plan for the occupation, leading to high costs in lives and money. Now we have created the hot bed of terrorism we were supposed to have
been defeating. How should it end? The administration must admit that many of the objectives given to support the “pre-emptive” invasion of Iraq can no longer be achieved. It’s time to agree honestly on what objectives can still possibly be attained.
All efforts should be made to achieve those objectives. These objectives will determine the timing for departure. Iraqis need to defend and police their country. Americans need to come home.
Our efforts should be continued in Afghanistan where the Taliban harbored Osama bin Laden and facilitated the horrific events of 9/11. Afghanistan is where we need to complete the job.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, cohenforcongress.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Tim Mahoney:
Win the peace in Iraq
Win the War for Freedom- Refocus our efforts on winning the War on Terror
- Win the peace in Iraq
- Implement the 9/11 Commission Recommendations
- Make America Independent of foreign oil and food
Source: 2006 House campaign website, timmahoneyforflorida.com
Nov 7, 2006
Tim Walberg:
Finish mission in Iraq to assure the victory of freedom
Tim wholeheartedly supports President Bush in the War on Terror. He supports Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld and our troops as they finish the mission in Iraq to assure the victory of freedom over tyranny.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, walbergforcongress.com “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Tim Walz:
Change the currnet course of action; need Iraq exit plan
The first priority of Congress must be stabilizing Iraq so we can bring our soldiers home safely. Stabilization requires that we start listening to our experts and our military leaders on the ground, and that we replace the rubberstamp Congress with
people like Tim Walz who will facilitate open, honest debate in Congress. There is no simple solution, but we can be assured that the answer is not to continue the current course of action without an exit plan.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.timwalz.org, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Yvette Clarke:
Invading Iraq was one of greatest foreign policy mistakes
There is no question that the invasion of Iraq was and continues to be one of our greatest foreign policy mistakes, based on false and misleading intelligence. I believe we must begin to disengage our military from Iraq immediately. In general, we must
get out of the business of nation-building and get back into the business of rebuilding alliances. Congress must also begin to fill its constitutional duty by conducting meaningful and effective oversight of the administration’s policies in Iraq.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.voteyvette.com, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Zack Space:
Transition Iraq to Special Forces to give faith in democracy
We have deposed an oppressive regime; we have confirmed that there are no WMDs; and we have planted the seeds of democratic reform in Iraq. It is now time to finish the job by tamping down the insurgency, & bring our troops home. As much as I would like
to see all of the troops withdrawn immediately, we simply cannot abandon our efforts in Iraq. We owe it to the law abiding people of Iraq who want freedom and democracy, and we owe it to the thousands of US troops that have sacrificed so much. But this
war cannot and will not be finished under the current policies. Several changes in our current approach to the war are in order:- We need to transition our presence from an occupying force to one consisting primarily of special operations
forces, whose primary mission is to give the Iraqi people faith in the virtues of freedom and democracy.
- I also support building a coalition of nations committed to securing the goals of independence, freedom, and democracy in Iraq.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, www.zackspace.org, “Issues”
Nov 7, 2006
Gabby Giffords:
Strategic redeployment to bring our troops home
On Iraq, Giffords advocates a new strategy that balances two goals - first, a targeted plan of strategic redeployment to bring our troops home and pressure Iraq’s government to take responsibility for governance, and second, ensuring that
Iraq is secure. She opposes building permanent bases in Iraq, and advocates the replacement of Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, giffordsForCongress.com, “News”
Nov 2, 2006
Scott Kleeb:
Iraq was a mistake, but don’t destabilize further by leaving
If a nation poses a threat to the safety of the American people, then we must act immediately, and decisively, to neutralize that threat.As we now know, however, the threat posed to Americans and the world by Saddam Hussein was not as dire & immediate
as it was portrayed. The decision to go to war was made on faulty intelligence. Even more serious, our civilian leadership exercised poor judgment in making the decision to invade. They failed to anticipate and plan for a prolonged guerilla war.
It is disgraceful to see Washington politicians trying to score political points by calling Iraq an abject failure (which it is not) or by suggesting that it will be a beacon of Western Democracy in the Middle East the day after tomorrow (which it will
not).
Let’s not have civilian politicians standing up saying we ought to withdraw 20,000 troops by the end of the year. Such a move runs the risk of destabilizing Iraq further just when we are seeing real signs of progress.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, scottkleeb.com, “Issues”
Nov 1, 2006
Charlie Wilson:
Ask tough questions to end serious mistakes in Iraq
The administration has made serious mistakes in Iraq, but keeps heading down the same wrong path. Congress needs to ask tough questions to hold the administration accountable and ensure the mistakes stop. The lives of our troops and the future of
Iraq depend on it. While the administration continues to pour billions of dollars and thousands of troops into Iraq, we must follow through in Afghanistan and work to address other threats to the American people.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, charliewilson.com, “Issues”
Sep 21, 2006
Carol Shea-Porter:
Leave Iraq & abandon our “lone wolf” approach
We only create cynicism by saying that even though there were no WMD’s, we stayed there to create a democracy in Iraq. The world’s people can see that George Bush is very friendly with other non-democratic nations in that region, and so they suspect
other motives. The United States must physically leave, abandon our “lone wolf” approach, and work with other nations to stabilize Iraq. Americans have spent billions on this unnecessary war only to see tragedy, fraud, and waste.
Source: 2006 House campaign website, carolforcongress.com, “Issues”
Jan 23, 2006
Page last updated: Nov 30, 2018