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Apr

7

OH-14 Democratic candidate Bill O’Neill wants Petraeus’ answers


Here’s the text and here’s the YouTube.  Here’s Bill’s website.  Thank you, Bill, for not letting these issues fade. Specifically:

O’Neill, who earned the Bronze Star in Vietnam, retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel in 2002, and his son Shawn served in Iraq. He is one of 40 Democratic congressional challengers who have endorsed the “Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq,” authored by former military leaders, including the former commanding general who oversaw the security transition in Iraq from 2003 to 2004. O’Neill listed several questions he would ask Gen. Petraeus, if he were in Congress today:

  • How is our presence in Iraq making us safer and why wouldn’t we be better off spending the money we’re spending in Iraq to address the problems we face at home?
  • What is our strategy to win the war In Iraq, and what do you define as “winning”?
  • The intelligence community has agreed that the largest national security threat to Americans is the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Why then are the vast majority of our military’s resources in Iraq?
  • Senator McCain has said we could be in Iraq for 100 years or longer. How long do you perceive a need for American troops to be in Iraq?
  • More than 25% of soldiers on their third or fourth tours in Iraq are suffering mental health problems. What are we doing to help these troops and veterans?
  • Do you believe that we ought to be paying our men and women in uniform a higher salary? Do you believe that every veteran ought to have free health care for life?

“I expect the same honesty from General Petraeus this week that we saw last year when he admitted that there is no military solution to Iraq. And I expect this to be a turning point in Congress’ decision to lead us out of this war,” he said. “More than anything, this is a question of resources. At home, our economy is at the breaking point and we are pouring our funds into this war. Abroad, our military is spread thin and its readiness is in question. It’s time to put America first.”

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By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:17 am April 7th, 2008 in Bill O'Neill, Campaigning, Congress, Elections, Military, Ohio 

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