Once again, Obama steps up on Blackwater

Before most people had even heard of Blackwater, Barack Obama took a bold stand on private military contractors.

In February, he introduced the Transparency and Accountability in Military and Security Contracting Act to ensure that all contractors working in war zones would be held accountable under US law. He has also sent letters to President Bush, Secretary Gates, and Secretary Rice requesting answers on the Blackwater incident and on the role and accountability of contractors in general. A Des Moines Register op-ed in September praises Obama's strong and consistent stance on the issue.

Last month, Barack delivered a policy address in Iowa, unveiling a plan to force Iraq War contractors to follow federal law and proposing creating a special Federal Bureau of Investigations unit to enforce it.

And today, Obama sent a letter to Defense Secretary Robert Gates after the FBI found that Blackwater was unjustified in the killing of at least fourteen Iraqis in the infamous September 16 shooting incident. In the letter, Senator Obama asks Secretary Gates to consider Blackwater's past behavior before rewarding any more military contracts to the company.

Barack's principled, courageous, and consistent stance on military contractors is yet more evidence that he's the leader we need right now to turn around our foreign policy and rebuild America's image in the world.

(from Obama's website)

for principled progressive leadership.

O8bama!

especially the votes.