RI Sen: Matt Brown calls on Bush to start bringing troops home in 6 mos [View All]

[Skinner]

The folks over on the Matt Brown for U.S. Senate campaign sent us this press release this morning, and we were fortunate enough to have a chance to briefly talk to Matt this afternoon about it. Matt Brown is running against Sheldon Whitehouse in the Democratic Primary, and the winner will go up against incumbent Republican Senator Lincoln Chafee.

I don't know much about Rhode Island politics, and before today I didn't know anything about Matt Brown or Sheldon Whitehouse. As usual, the DU Admins don't have any plans to pick sides in a Democratic primary. But we appreciate that Matt's campaign did reach out to us, and we're happy to pass along their press release for all of you.

I think it is a good thing that a Democratic candidate for federal office supports setting a timetable to bring the troops home. It seems like the Democratic "elite" here in DC are too afraid to take any position that might be interpreted as anti-war, because they are terrified that we could be painted as soft on national security. We asked Matt if his position represented a tipping point where it is now safer for Democrats to speak out against the war. He said that making a decision based on fear would lead to a terrible decision. Instead of making decisions on fear, he said you need to do what is right. After the Iraq elections in December, the American Troops in Iraq will have done their job, and more. He said that his was a position of strength; we shouldn't let the insurgents dictate American policy.

Here's the press release:

MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Matt Brown calls for President Bush to start bringing American troops home in six months

CRANSTON -- As Rhode Island sends another 95 troops to Iraq, Rhode Island Secretary of State and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Matt Brown today called for President Bush to set a timetable to start bringing American troops home from Iraq in six months. Brown released the following statement:

"Mr. President, the American people are looking for leadership and strength in this difficult time. Like all Rhode Islanders and all Americans, I'm proud of our troops. They are the finest citizen soldiers in the world. They have left their homes and families, risked everything and done their job with courage and distinction.

"Last week you said withdrawing our troops from Iraq would be 'a terrible signal to the enemy' and you again refused to set a timetable for withdrawal. That's wrong. Continuing in Iraq without a plan, without a timetable for withdrawal is a terrible signal to Americans and our troops. It's a failure of leadership.

"Mr. President, the United States of America -- the strongest country in the world -- should not let our decision about when to bring our men and women home be dictated by a group of foreign insurgents. We have set timetables for the Iraqis to establish a new government, draft a constitution and conduct free elections -- and now we need to set a timetable to bring our troops home.

"We should start the withdrawal in six months, soon after the Iraqi National Assembly Elections scheduled for December 15. By early next year, our troops will have made it possible for the Iraqis to establish their own government and constitution and to hold free elections. Our troops will have done their job and it will be time to bring them home.

"Let me be clear – withdrawing our troops will not mean abandoning Iraq. Our troops should continue training Iraqi security forces for the next six months and during the gradual withdrawal process. Following the withdrawal, United States military trainers and advisors should provide continued training and technical assistance to Iraqi security forces and the new Iraqi government, as we do in many nations around the world.

"Mr. President, in just the last week, different officials in your administration have suggested very different timelines for withdrawal. The President is the Commander-in-Chief. You need to set the timetable and plan. You owe it to the American people to get this job done and bring our men and women home to their families."

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Paid for by Matt Brown for U.S. Senate