Paul Hodes on War & Peace

Withdraw our National Guard from Iraq immediately

The mess in Iraq is a result of failed leadership in the White House and in Congress. Now, the administration refuses to face up to its failures and focus on a responsible exit strategy and a plan for establishing stability in the region. Our troops are caught in the midst of a sectarian civil war, where they are easy targets and their presence only inflames tensions. It is time for the Iraqis to take over Iraq, so we can focus on quelling problems in Afghanistan and elsewhere. I support the following:

Make it clear that we will not occupy Iraq permanently.
Withdraw our National Guard and Reserve troops immediately.
Immediately focus our mission on training the Iraqi military and police.
Require the Iraqis to forge a political solution to the current crisis.
Support that solution while redeploying the remainder of our troops.
Bring other countries into a comprehensive and sustained peace process.
Rebuild our military.
Replace the leadership.

Source: Campaign website, www.hodesforcongress.com, "Issues" Nov 7, 2006

Keep US troops in Iraq but internationalize the effort

Q: Should the US withdraw its troops from Iraq?

A: No. We must start by rebuilding our alliances in order to internationalize the effort. We should begin that process by opening up the contracts beyond Haliburton. We must accelerate the employment of Iraqis to rebuild their own country. This will provide Iraqis with greater economic opportunities to ensure that they are more deeply invested in the success of their country.

Source: 2004 Congressional National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2004

Voted YES on redeploying US troops out of Iraq starting in 90 days.

To provide for the redeployment of US Armed Forces and defense contractors from Iraq. Requires within 90 days to commence the redeployment; and to complete such redeployment within 180 days after its commencement. Prohibits the use of DOD funds to increase the number of US forces serving in Iraq in excess of the number serving in Iraq as of January 1, 2007, unless specifically authorized by Congress. Authorizes retaining in Iraq US forces for providing security for diplomatic missions; for targeting al-Qaeda; and for training Iraqi Security Forces. Requires the President to transfer to the government of Iraq all interest held by the US in any military facility in Iraq.

Proponents support voting YES because:

This war is a terrible tragedy, and it is time to bring it to an end. This is a straightforward bill to redeploy our military forces from Iraq and to end the war in Iraq. This bill does not walk away from the Iraqi people. It specifically continues diplomatic, social, economic, and reconstruction aid. Finally, this bill leaves all the decisions on the locations outside of Iraq to which our troops will be redeployed wholly in the hands of our military commanders.

Opponents support voting NO because:

This legislation embraces surrender and defeat. This legislation undermines our troops and the authority of the President as commander in chief. Opponents express concern about the effects of an ill-conceived military withdrawal, and about any legislation that places military decisions in the hands of politicians rather than the military commanders in the field. The enemy we face in Iraq view this bill as a sign of weakness. Now is not the time to signal retreat and surrender. It is absolutely essential that America, the last remaining superpower on earth, continue to be a voice for peace and a beacon for freedom in our shrinking world.

Reference: Out of Iraq Caucus bill; Bill H R 2237 ; vote number 2007-330 on May 10, 2007

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