O'Neill Calls LaTourette's Iraq Compact a 'Political Stunt'
CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (9/27/2007) - Democratic candidate for Congress Bill O'Neill (OH-14), who earned a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam and whose son served in Afghanistan and Iraq, released the following statement today in reaction to Rep. Steve LaTourette's signing the "Bipartisan Compact on the Iraq Debate":
"I agree that bipartisan efforts are the only way we are going to get our troops out of harm's way. But this compact appears to be nothing more than empty words in lieu of action - an attempt to put a happy face on what has become a foreign policy disaster.
"It's hard to take Rep. LaTourette seriously when his record simply doesn't match up to his words.
"This compact requires that our troops have adequate recuperation periods between deployments. But last month Rep. LaTourette voted against a bipartisan bill that would have done just that (H.R. 3159). And this compact requires a mission that is 'clearly defined and measurable' - a goal I applaud. But Rep. LaTourette has consistently voted against such measures.
"It is intellectually dishonest to suggest that defunding this war places our troops in peril. The truth is that funding without benchmarks is precisely what has placed our troops in peril over the past four years.
"This bipartisan compact is nothing more than a political stunt. And our men and women in Iraq deserve so much better."
CONTACT:
* Toby Fallsgraff, 440-247-7340, woneill08-AT-gmail.com