Vets for Freedom

The Natural Family Blog ^ | January 14, 2007 | Jenny Hatch

[Jenny Hatch]

Pete Hegseth Debates the cause of the Iraq War on the BBC

Pod Cast of the Whole Debate

On December 11, 2007, in London's grand Westminster Hall, Vets for Freedom Executive Director Pete Hegseth, and his esteemed debating partner William Shawcross, achieved an unexpected, and dramatic, upset. The sold-out audience of over 2,200 was swayed—overwhelmingly—by their defense of the motion, "The surge is working, let's win before we leave."

Of the 455 "undecided" voters who arrived in the hall, over half (234) later voted to support Hegseth and Shawcross. By contract, the "leave Iraq now" position gained only 67 votes and the "negotiated settlement" position gained just 64 votes. Overwhelmingly, previously undecided voters left the hall convinced that we must win in Iraq.

"There is nothing we can do about the pre-conceived notions people held when they entered the hall," said Hegseth "but I'm ecstatic that we were able to convince so many people about the merits of the ‘surge' and the need to win in Iraq. I was told it would be a hostile audience; but these results proves that anyone, anywhere can be convinced, provided they hear the facts on the ground."

Overall, the "negotiated settlement" position received the most final votes, however it had overwhelming support before the debate began. But in a dramatic turn, the Hegseth/Shawcross position overtook the "leave Iraq now" position in the final tally, overcoming a 129-vote deficit from the initial vote. See complete results below.

The debate will be shown in its entirety on BBC World during the weekend of January 5/6, and Vets for Freedom will send out a notice when it appears.

[Jenny Hatch]

I blogged Petes recent debate in the UK as well as his piece today at NRO. To watch the video of his debate and get the link to the pod cast of the whole debate go to my blog, or use the links to the Vets for Freedom Web Site.

David Bellavias Book House to House is a must read.

I completely endorse and support and work of Vets for Freedom!

Jenny Hatch

Death Blow to Defeatists