Boxer: Let's pull out all the stops! Demand a success strategy for Iraq

Dear DU,

Recently, over 100,000 people marched past the White House in one of the single largest demonstrations for peace in the history of the Iraq war.

It was an inspiring gathering -- one that makes clear that the American people will no longer stand for the Administration's hollow rhetoric that we must "stay the course."

I agree. Join me in demanding answers from President Bush, and a success strategy that will get our troops home -- sign my petition today!

It's time for a credible plan and timetable to bring American troops home. It's time for details about how Iraqi troops will take our place. And it's time to honor our soldiers the right way -- by giving them the equipment they need while they are deployed, and the health care they deserve when they come home.

During the week of October 17th, I will knock on the White House door to deliver our petition calling on President Bush to level with the American people and provide an honest, credible success strategy for Iraq, with benchmarks to measure our progress and a target date for withdrawing our brave men and women in uniform.

Over 71,000 people have already signed that petition -- an amazing response. But I'm convinced we can do even better. And that's why I'm writing to you.

Sign my petition now. Add your name alongside thousands of other Americans who are demanding that George Bush give us the honest answers we deserve.

It couldn't be clearer that we need a new direction in Iraq. Within the past few weeks, we have received credible new reports from an American Army officer about the systematic abuse of prisoners in Iraq and Afghanistan by U.S. troops. These reports are being taken seriously and investigated by top Senate leaders, including my respected Republican colleague and former POW John McCain.

One instance of abuse might reflect the actions of a lone soldier. But a pattern of abuse tells us that there has been an unimaginable failure of leadership by this Administration.

We can't afford to "stay the course" any longer. Our reputation as a force for good in the world depends upon it. We need a plan from this Administration that makes clear how the President intends to succeed in Iraq.

Sign my petition today. Demand the answers that you deserve. Insist on a plan that addresses the real challenges we face. Restore America's image in the world.

I will deliver my petition to the White House during the week of October 17th. I hope your name will be on it.

In Friendship,

Barbara Boxer

After two and a half years of war, the American people are still waiting to hear the truth about what our mission is in Iraq and how we are going to accomplish it. Frankly, it is difficult to keep track of all the missions we've had so far, because the story changes every few weeks. First there was the weapons of mass destruction mission, then regime change, then rebuilding, then bringing democracy, and now it's fighting terrorism.

It's time to develop a strategy that can succeed in Iraq, defuse the terrorist insurgency, and bring our brave men and women home. That will only happen if you immediately bring credibility, accountability, and responsibility to a war that has been lacking in all three.

***Credibility: It's time for you to stop using sound bytes like "Mission Accomplished" and be truthful with the American people.

***Accountability: We need to hear from your Administration exactly how many Iraqi forces are needed; how to meet that goal; and by when.

***Responsibility: We must honor our soldiers not just on the 4th of July, but every day -- by giving them the equipment they need while they are deployed and the health care they deserve when they come home.

I urge you to tell the truth to the American people, articulate a clear timeline of our plans for Iraq, and take responsibility for our men and women in uniform.