State of Hawaii Archives: on War & Peace

Cam Cavasso: Supports invasion of Iraq

A: Yes

Q: What’s the best way to end America’s occupation of Iraq?

A: We want to bring our troops home as soon as possible. The best way, is to stay the course until the Iraqi Government and protective civilian police forces are in place and operating as they choose. We set the nation free. But their citizens remain defenseless against terrorism, rape and murder. We must stand with them until they are strong.

Charles Djou: Don't forget troops in Afghanistan; don't draw down too fast

While voters are now focused on jobs and the economy, Djou said he will implore them not to forget about the troops in Afghanistan. He is urging President Barack Obama not to draw down the number of troops too quickly for the sake of those soldiers who remain. "I recognize that the war on terrorists is not as hot an issue as it was in 2010 and certainly 2008, but I do have a unique perspective and I do think it's important," Djou said in his first interview since his return. "I have a unique vantage point in explaining to the American people not to forget about those soldiers in harm's way."

Daniel Akaka: Call for troops withdrawal from Iraq by July 2007

CASE: First, a government in Iraq that can govern, and a police & a military that can provide security. The government is in place. The police and military, according to the leaders of Iraq, are within 6 to 9 months of being in place. At that point, it would seem to me that our way forward to disengage was there. But we cannot withdraw unilaterally, unconditionally, & on a firm timetable, and expect that there are not going to be negative consequences.

AKAKA: In Oct. 2002, I was one of 23 Senators who opposed the authorization of force in Iraq. Because I felt that Bush’s proposal did not have correct information. I was on a committee that was studying it for two years, and we did not find any Weapons of Mass Destruction there. I was looking for a post-war strategy. It wasn’t there. Now I’m calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq by July 2007. We must put pressure on the Iraqi government to take responsibility for its own security.

Daniel Akaka: No need to resort to a draft; better recruitment instead

AKAKA: [We need] a recruitment program that would interest our young people. We do have a recruitment program that has been able to meet the needs of our troops. We also need to have a program to attract these young people to the military and to retain them. I’ve been working on a program to recruit, retain, and also to have a retirement program for the military that might interest young people in looking at their lives and the lives of their family. So with all of this, I feel that we’ll be able to attract the young people we need without resorting to a draft.

CASE: In some of the Armed Services the recruiting is okay, in some it is more of a problem, and that is the reality of what we face. Let me be real clear, we don’t need a draft today. I don’t support a draft today. We don’t have to enter into a discussion of the draft. But we do have to confront the reality of an all-volunteer military, which has been incredibly stretched by our engagements oversees.

Ed Case: Oppose a timetable of troops withdrawal from Iraq

CASE: First, a government in Iraq that can govern, and a police & a military that can provide security. The government is in place. The police and military, according to the leaders of Iraq, are within 6 to 9 months of being in place. At that point, it would seem to me that our way forward to disengage was there. But we cannot withdraw unilaterally, unconditionally, & on a firm timetable, and expect that there are not going to be negative consequences.

AKAKA: In Oct. 2002, I was one of 23 Senators who opposed the authorization of force in Iraq. Because I felt that Bush's proposal did not have correct information. I was on a committee that was studying it for two years, and we did not find any Weapons of Mass Destruction there. I was looking for a post-war strategy. It wasn't there. Now I'm calling for the withdrawal of troops from Iraq by July 2007. We must put pressure on the Iraqi government to take responsibility for its own security.

Ed Case: Do not need a draft but the military has been stretched

AKAKA: [We need] a recruitment program that would interest our young people. We do have a recruitment program that has been able to meet the needs of our troops. We also need to have a program to attract these young people to the military and to retain them. I've been working on a program to recruit, retain, and also to have a retirement program for the military that might interest young people in looking at their lives and the lives of their family. So with all of this, I feel that we'll be able to attract the young people we need without resorting to a draft.

CASE: In some of the Armed Services the recruiting is okay, in some it is more of a problem, and that is the reality of what we face. Let me be real clear, we don't need a draft today. I don't support a draft today. We don't have to enter into a discussion of the draft. But we do have to confront the reality of an all-volunteer military, which has been incredibly stretched by our engagements oversees.

John Carroll: We should have declared Afghan War; but no timetable

A: No. We should have a declaration of war before we commit any Ground Troops to combat. We, seemingly, did not hear from Korea, Vietnam, Kosovo, etc.

Q: Do you support a timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan?

A: No.

John Carroll: Use US air power to enforce peace, but not ground troops

A: We are one of the most powerful militarized nations in the history of the world, and the use of that power should be utilized to ensure that we have a stable, international peace. At present, international terror continues to impact our allies, and each day the threat of its impact on our country and its citizens looms. I lived through the Korean and Vietnam wars. I have seen the tragic losses of American life. My role in the U.S. Senate would be to ensure that there is no deployment of U.S. ground forces anywhere in the world on the basis of the needs of special interests. While I am in complete favor of the use of air power in support of allies worldwide, our troops, our country and our citizens deserve to know that their interest is our first priority.

Mark Takai: Iraq War fought partly because of dependence on foreign oil

When I returned from the Middle East, I decided to lead on this issue by example by converting my house to solar energy, and I was one of the first in Hawaii to buy an electric car, which I currently drive.

Ron Curtis: War should be last resort but we need to always be prepared

Ron Curtis: Surgical strikes to prevent hostile possession of nukes

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?

A: No. I support the limited use of military force in surgical strikes to take out the hostile's nuclear weapons programs. Your Middle Eastern conflicts question is too broad and I would have different answers for conflicts in different regions of the Middle East. The issues are far to complex to address here, but they include Shia vs Sunni differences, theocracies vs monarchies, Kurdish state establishment, national vs cross-nation tribal actors, and traditional religious beliefs vs global world values of today. I think the best long term role the US can play is in diplomacy as a mediator or arbitrator.