APRIL 9TH, 2008 | Harkin for Senate
Yesterday, Senator Tom Harkin issued the following statement after General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker testified before Congress
“I, along with millions of Americans, waited today to hear General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker propose a clear strategy for our nation’s mission in Iraq – something we have been waiting to hear from this Administration for years. Unfortunately, we heard more of the same.”
“The simple truth is that keeping our brave soldiers mired in the Iraqi civil war is breaking our military, bankrupting our treasury, and making our country less safe. Iraq needs a political solution, which only Iraqis can provide, to bring real stability and security to their country.”
“There will be more troops in Iraq this summer than when the temporary surge began more than a year ago. Even General Petraeus admits there is no military solution in Iraq, so keeping 142,000 troops there is not the answer. The current strain on our troops is unsustainable – we simply do not have enough trained and ready troops to indefinitely sustain such high troop levels in Iraq. Pentagon officials have acknowledged that the great demand on our forces has diminished our military readiness and hindered our ability to respond to any new crisis.”
“We have lost more than 4,000 of our men and women, with almost 30,000 injured, many severely. Brigades are not being allowed sufficient time to regroup and retrain, placing enormous strains on our soldiers and their families. Last year, suicides among active-duty soldiers reached their highest level since the Army began keeping records 28 years ago.”
“While the American taxpayer continues to pour $12 billion a month into Iraq, the Iraqi government’s oil revenues are skyrocketing due to soaring oil prices. When the war in Iraq began, the cost of a barrel of oil was $33.51 and the Bush Administration claimed that the Iraqis would pay for most of the reconstruction and basic needs of its people. It has been estimated that Iraq will earn $100 billion in oil revenue in 2007 and 2008. Yet the Iraqi government has billions of dollars sitting in bank accounts collecting interest, while American taxpayers are being forced to foot the bill.”
“If we pursue the Bush stay-the-course mentality, we will quickly reach the decade mark for our military occupation in Iraq. I stand with the millions of Americans who are ready for a new direction.”
On May 23rd, 2008 at 07:53 AM, t meeks wrote:
I lived in Iowa for 30 years. Tom your comments regarding John being dangerous, because he had a military background, is just one of many reasons I left Iowa. You are a disgrace to that state and all veterans that have served. You have said something about my father and all servicemen.This is just one more example of your pour leadership. You influnce people everyday,try being positive one time. You have lead Iowa down hill long enough.You have retarded growth and progress long enough. You should resign. A former Iowan
On May 27th, 2008 at 10:56 AM, katrinka wrote:
I cannot tell you who I would vote for- all you have listed are democrats. If I had a chance, I would vote for president Bush again and again and again! No I am not racist- Obama has nothing to offer, but fluff. His personality is all he has and very little of that!
On June 2nd, 2008 at 12:29 PM, Ronnie wrote:
I read some crazy comments from a fromer Iowan about leaving Iowa because of Sen. Harkin and his views on the military. I am a fromer veteran and agree with Sen. Harkin that McClain is trapped by his Military training and military family traditions. Give peace a chance and diplomacy which has been missing for eight years under Bush’s poor functioning administration. Long live Sen. Harkin and his advocacy for peace.