CHAGRIN FALLS, Ohio (1/4/2008) – Democratic candidate for Congress Bill O’Neill responded today to the statement made by Sen. John McCain, Rep. Steve LaTourette’s endorsed candidate for president, on staying in Iraq for 100 years. McCain’s statement is available at http://youtube.com/watch?v=vf7HYoh9YMM.
“Often in politics, you can tell a lot about a person's values by the choices they make. Congressman Steve LaTourette has repeatedly endorsed George W. Bush's failed policies in Iraq. Repeatedly, the Congressman has had a chance to take our nation in a new direction, but each time he instead opted to follow George Bush's lead and, in so doing, helped drag us into the mess in Iraq without offering the American people any way out.
“Now, as if to say that was not bad enough, Congressman LaTourette has endorsed Senator John McCain for President – the same John McCain who yesterday declared that he hoped we would be fine with having American troops in Iraq for the next 100 years!
“I believe that Northeast Ohioans want Congress to begin the process of bringing home our troops serving in Iraq, and that is what I am committed to do. Our country cannot afford even two more years of this war, and our national security is not helped by it. I don't want this war to last one day longer than necessary, and I want us to start bringing our troops home now. Steve LaTourette seems comfortable with our troops being there for the next 100 years.
“The choice for the people of Northeast Ohio could not be more plain. On Iraq, as on health care, jobs policy, homeowner protection, and so many other issues, we need to change Congress, and we need to do it now. And that change starts right here in Ohio.”
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