|
Michael Baumgartner on War & Peace
|
Leave Afghanistan now & use funds domestically
Baumgartner, who has worked as a civilian contractor in Afghanistan, said he wants to "end the war in Afghanistan now" and use the savings to help with domestic finances. "We have a foreign policy disaster now in the Middle East," he said. "Sen.
Cantwell has been consistently in support of poorly planned wars."Cantwell countered that she supports Pres. Obama's plans to withdraw troops in 2014, and she said Pres. Bush deserved blame for not fully funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Source: The Seattle Times on 2012 Washington Senate debate
, Oct 12, 2012
We're wasting resources on democracy-building in Afghanistan
Baumgartner's experience in war zones has also molded his understanding of foreign policy. Unlike many Republicans, he believes the US is wasting its resources on democracy-building in Afghanistan. A more targeted military approach would have worked
better and saved trillions of dollars, he said. "Government doesn't come in a box," he said. "It comes through legitimate local growth."Foreign policy isn't typically the building block of a statewide campaign. Baumgartner acknowledged that most
voters care more about domestic issues, especially the economy. That hasn't deterred him. "In my view, people don't care enough about the war," he said. "My interest in foreign policy is above the average voter's interest. That doesn't mean we shouldn't
talk about it."
[In his campaign], he draws on the lessons of the war zone. "When we were in Iraq & Afghanistan, you didn't sit around thinking about all the things you couldn't do," Baumgartner said. "You thought about the things you could get done."
Source: Seattle Times on 2012 WA Senate debate
, Sep 15, 2012
It is time to end the wars
President Abraham Lincoln implored us "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan" and this is a commitment
I take seriously after having worked alongside so many of our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is time to end the wars and adopt a smarter foreign policy.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, votebaumgartner.com,"Issues"
, Jan 18, 2012
Military spending is too high and going to war is too easy
We have an overstretched military we're spending too much money on. Afghanistan is costing $12 billion a month.- America should focus on its interests and put democracy-building "on the shelf." Moderate Islam will have to defeat radical Islam.
-
Congress should have greater control over the decision to go to war.
- Military forces should not be committed without realistic plans, and an exit strategy, devised by people who know the country.
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, votebaumgartner.com, "Meet"
, Nov 22, 2011
Page last updated: Nov 20, 2012
