Most Alabama congressmen back Bush call to stay course in Iraq
WASHINGTON (AP) - With one exception, Alabama's congressional delegation remains behind President Bush's call to stay the course in Iraq despite growing anxiety among Americans about the conflict, a key issue for many in this election year.
Of the delegation's nine members, Democratic Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham is the only one to propose withdrawing troops, arguing that Bush's policies for stabilizing the country have failed at every turn.
Other Alabama lawmakers, however, say U.S. military operations are critical for holding the country together and that Iraqis are gradually becoming better prepared to take control. They say the kind of anti-war sentiment that helped defeat incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman in the recent Democratic primary in Connecticut - and that has prompted some Republicans to criticize Bush - has not significantly penetrated their districts.
"I'm not hearing it," said Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, noting that his office has done internal polling on the issue. "Concern? Sure, of course there is. But we're nowhere near where Connecticut is."
Despite the war's political impact elsewhere, the issue is not expected to be a factor in Alabama's congressional races. Republican U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions are not up for re-election, and all seven House incumbents are heavy favorites - three don't even have major party opposition.
Bonner, who traveled to Iraq last month, said he believes significant progress is being made but that a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops could further destabilize the country, where ongoing daily bloodshed has raised warnings over a descent into civil war. At the same time, he acknowledged that the mission is in real jeopardy if Iraqis don't soon seize the "gift" of democracy that the overthrow of Saddam Hussein has provided.
Read the rest at the San Jose Mercury News
Of the delegation's nine members, Democratic Rep. Artur Davis of Birmingham is the only one to propose withdrawing troops, arguing that Bush's policies for stabilizing the country have failed at every turn.
Other Alabama lawmakers, however, say U.S. military operations are critical for holding the country together and that Iraqis are gradually becoming better prepared to take control. They say the kind of anti-war sentiment that helped defeat incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman in the recent Democratic primary in Connecticut - and that has prompted some Republicans to criticize Bush - has not significantly penetrated their districts.
"I'm not hearing it," said Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Mobile, noting that his office has done internal polling on the issue. "Concern? Sure, of course there is. But we're nowhere near where Connecticut is."
Despite the war's political impact elsewhere, the issue is not expected to be a factor in Alabama's congressional races. Republican U.S. Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions are not up for re-election, and all seven House incumbents are heavy favorites - three don't even have major party opposition.
Bonner, who traveled to Iraq last month, said he believes significant progress is being made but that a quick withdrawal of U.S. troops could further destabilize the country, where ongoing daily bloodshed has raised warnings over a descent into civil war. At the same time, he acknowledged that the mission is in real jeopardy if Iraqis don't soon seize the "gift" of democracy that the overthrow of Saddam Hussein has provided.
Read the rest at the San Jose Mercury News
posted by iraqnam at 12:50 PM
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