Arizona 2006 Senate Debate: on War & Peace

Jim Pederson: We're going backwards in Iraq; time for end-game

PEDERSON: I didn't say `get out'. We have a regional responsibility there. That region of the word, the entire Mideast, presents the biggest threat to the US of any locale in the world. This administration has a deer-in-the-headlights look when it comes to any end-game regarding our activities in Iraq, and Sen. Kyl has gone along with the administration every step of the way. The insurgents are gaining strength, and we're actually going backwards in Iraq.

KYL: My opponent just said he did not say `get out'. In one of his ads he says `I won't cut-and-run'. But he said on July 5, `Let's just retreat to a safe and secure place.' If he's going to complain about the leadership in this war, imagine him saying that to Marines. That's not leadership calculated to win. He's got a plan to get out, but he doesn't have a plan to win.

Jon Kyl: Iraq is the central front in the war on terror

PEDERSON: I didn't say `get out'. We have a regional responsibility there. This administration has a deer-in-the-headlights look when it comes to any end-game regarding our activities in Iraq, and Sen. Kyl has gone along with the administration every step of the way.

KYL: My opponent just said he did not say `get out'. In one of his ads he says `I won't cut-and-run'. But he said on July 5, `Let's just retreat to a safe and secure place.' If he's going to complain about the leadership in this war, imagine him saying that to Marines. That's not leadership calculated to win. He's got a plan to get out, but he doesn't have a plan to win. We're in a global war with terrorists. Most agree that Iraq is the central battle in that war. You can't win the war if you bug out of the central battle. Iraq is a critical component to winning the war. This is deadly serious, and we need to win.