Jack Murtha: "The President is using fear to keep our troops in Iraq"

We should embrace change, especially when it is in our national interest to do so! As many of you know, I introduced a Resolution to the House of Representatives to redeploy our troops from Iraq. Some critics have described my recommendation as “defeatist,” others have characterized it as “cut and run.” They couldn’t be more wrong! Nothing could be further from the truth! My recommendations are a clarion call for a victory against the international terrorist movement. It is a three step process.

(1) Redeploy. It is time that our military “footprint” in the region is converted from a pervasive presence inside Iraq to a powerful quick-reaction force outside of Iraq. Over three years after we implemented a policy to “liberate” Iraq and bring democracy, with the claim we would be welcomed with rose petals, almost one out of two Iraqis believe it’s OK to kill Americans. Our presence in Iraq is generating more recruits to the radical movement. Our departure would put tremendous pressures on the major factions within Iraq to have some semblance of a political settlement. I believe that upon our departure, Iraqi nationalism would force many Iraqis to turn on the foreign fighters.

(2) Reallocate. I believe we should reallocate much of the funds saved by redeploying.

(3) Reengage. In the wake of 9/11, America had overwhelming support around the world in the fight against terrorism. There was global support for ourwar in Afghanistan. Sadly, the diversion to the war in Iraq has frittered away much of that support and we must reengage with countries around the world to conduct a more effective war on terrorism. I believe our
redeploying troops from Iraq will help considerably in that goal.

The President is using fear to keep our troops in Iraq. Fear of what might happen if we leave Iraq. He is saying we should have an open-ended commitment to stay in Iraq, yet he has NO plan. His plan is to cross his fingers and hope that the Iraqis will form a unity government. But hope is not a plan. And for as long as he continues down this vague, open-ended path, more American lives will be lost, and billions of more dollars will be spent.