Iraq war: Dems use anniversary to pitch withdrawal
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SPRINGFIELD — Democrats from Illinois holding or vying for seats in Congress are urging President Bush not to wait for a new presidential administration to bring American troops back from Iraq.
On the five-year anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, U.S. Rep. Phil Hare of Moline and 18th Congressional District hopeful Colleen Callahan of Kickapoo said they need reassurance that the war would end soon before supporting more financial and military
investments in Iraq.
In a press conference at the Illinois Statehouse, Hare said the president has lost sight of all domestic priorities in exchange for his obsession with victory in Iraq.
“All the money that the president is asking for can be redirected back into this nation,” said Hare, now in his sixth month in Congress. “The best interest of this country is to bring our men and women back in a safe and timely fashion.”
Colleen Callahan, who is running to replace U.S. Rep. Ray LaHood, said the enthusiasm of the populace for being in Iraq is waning and that it will be the economy, not Iraq, that will be the primary issue in talks with voters.
“At the time that we went to war in Iraq in 2003, we did have great support. The enthusiasm is being lost. The lives are being lost, and it is taking its toll,” said Callahan, who is vying for the seat against Republican state Rep. Aaron Schock of
Peoria, Ill.
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama also chimed in Wednesday during a stop on the presidential campaign trail, reiterating his support for a removal of American troops from Iraq.
“This war has now lasted longer than World War I, World War II, or the Civil War,” Obama said in a prepared statement. “And where are we for all of this sacrifice? We are less safe and less able to shape events abroad. The threats of a new century have roiled the waters of peace and stability, and yet America remains anchored in Iraq.”
Fellow Democrat U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin will echo those sentiments today as he tours parts of Illinois the day after the anniversary of the first missiles being shot into Iraq
in 2003.
Kenneth Lowe and Kartikay Mehrotra may be reached at (217) 789-0865 or Kenneth.Lowe@lee.net or Kartikay.Mehrotra@lee.net.
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