[Duncan] Hunter supports president's plan for more troops in Iraq

N C Times ^ | 10 Jan 2007 | MARK WALKER (Military -Friendly)

[Churchillspirit]

I hope the President gives Duncan Hunter some publicity - thanks him for supporting his policies etc.

All Hunter lacks is name recognition.

[Lexinom]

Interesting. He did extremely well here, where he rips CNN a new one on Wolf Blitzer's show. Must have had an off night when you saw him.

[Lexinom]

You're right. He seems to be doing the right things, however, staying in the news. I think it's safe to say that, by now, most FReepers recognize the name "Duncan Hunter" and what he stands for. That's a good start, still a long ways to go.

[Afronaut]

"I am committed to a strong military, and during my tenure as chairman of the House Armed Services Committee,we will focus on four principal areas.

First, we will provide the President the resources he needs to win the nation's wars.

Second, we will renew our commitment to modernization of the military, particularly through initiatives to quickly move new and effective technologies into the field.

Third, we will make the Department of Defense a more efficient operationby continuing to shift resources from redundant and unnecessary bureaucracy to warfighting capabilities.

Finally, we will continue to strongly support our nation's military personnel and their families by ensuring that they are properly compensated and well-equipped with safe and effective weapons and equipment."

Duncan Hunter

[tfelice]

There's a big difference between being against the war as the hippie/pinko/peacenik crowd is and being against the war because of its process and intention.

Here's the CP on Iraq:

"We oppose the War in Iraq, both because it was embarked upon (like every other U.S. war since the Second World War) without a constitutionally-mandated declaration of war, and because it is an offensive, not a defensive war, aimed at the subjugation of a foreign regime that posed no threat to us. We believe, with the Founders, that American military forces should be used only for national defense, not to settle the quarrels of other nations, and that America’s aggressive global military posture is making us more enemies than friends. We are also opposed to all wars embarked upon under the authority of the United Nations, and are very disappointed that President Bush has repeatedly invoked UN Security Council resolutions as his primary legal justification for our invasion and occupation of Iraq."

[SoCalPol]

You are spliting hairs.

My several relatives who have fought in Iraq and stil will be have no problem. This includes Navy Dr. with the 1st Marines.
I have relatives who fought in Europe and were killed even though HItler did not attack us but it was the right thing to do.
That's ok. You CP folks just sit back and my relatives and others will fight to keep your ass free.

[Brandie]

Duncan Hunter is the best choice. I sure hope my party back him all the way instead of Rino Rudy.

[Cementjungle]

Hunter needs to get his face on tv more.

I agree, and hope he does so. He is sounding refreshingly sane.

[uberjaeger]

HUNTER STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT'S IRAQ STRATEGY ANNOUNCEMENT



* * * "Oppose Any Democratic Efforts to Cut Off the 20,000 Reinforcements" * * *



Washington D.C. - Today, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), senior Republican on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, made the following statement regardnig the President's announcement of a new Iraq strategy:

"American troops in Baghdad, alongside Iraqi forces, have been engaged in a fierce battle with insurgents over the past several days.

"The United States, with the support of Iraqi leaders, has developed a plan to stabilize Baghdad and the al-Anbar Province. The President has told Congress that he intends to move an additional 6 brigades to Iraq for this operation.

"My own recommendation to President Bush has been to move the 27 Iraqi battalions presently in quiet areas of the country into Baghdad. Further, I have recommended that U.S. troops move to 'leverage' their positions, emphasizing advisory teams, intelligence, precision strikes and special operations; and that Iraqi forces take the lead in the proposed Baghdad sweeps.

"The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Peter Pace, has told me that part of my recommendation is being implemented in that nine Iraqi battalions from peaceful areas are being moved to Baghdad for this operation. Against this backdrop, the Democrats have announced that they will resist any reinforcements being sent into the battle zone. I will strongly oppose any such Democratic effort to cut off troop reinforcements or re-supply efforts into the Iraq theater.

"We are a nation at war. To fracture the U.S. government at this critical time will demoralize our troops and allies, and embolden our enemies. I support the Commander-in-Chief in this operation.

"I will continue to push for the acceleration of the military transition to Iraqis. This can be accomplished by rotating every Iraqi battalion through a combat tour.

"The operation will start with a U.S. battalion stationed with each operational Iraqi brigade in Baghdad. I will recommend to the President, Secretary Gates and General Petraeus that these U.S. embedded battalions be replaced with Iraqi battalions over the coming months, until Baghdad is exclusively occupied by Iraqi forces."

Yesterday, Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) stated, "we cannot simply speak out against an escalation of troops in Iraq, we must act to prevent it." Hunter followed by stating his strong opposition to any efforts to cut off troop reinforcements to the Iraqi theater of operation.



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