Statement of RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie on Democrat Politicization of the Iraqi Prisoner Issue

Republican National Committee ^ | May 9, 2004

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Christine Iverson
202-863-8614

Washington, DC—RNC Chairman Ed Gillespie made the following statement today on a conference call with reporters regarding the politicization of the Iraqi prisoner issue by Democrats.

“The day before Senator Kerry stated publicly that the prison abuses at Abu Ghraib constituted ‘a moment for America to try to deal with this without partisan politics’ (CNN.com 5/10/2004) his campaign engaged in a mass e-mail campaign attacking the President politically and initiating a petition drive in support of Kerry’s call for Secretary Rumsfeld to resign-along with a ‘DONATE NOW!’ appeal for campaign contributions. “Senator Kerry also said, ‘This is about our country. This is about how we’re going to be stronger.’ (CNN.com, 5/10/04)

“Once again, Senator Kerry has proven incapable of maintaining a position. His campaign’s e-mail was sent before Secretary Rumsfeld had even finished testifying before Congress.

“This is consistent with other leaders in his party, who called for Secretary Rumsfeld to resign before he had even testified-including Senator Tom Harkin and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Rep. Charles Rangel has gone so far as to call for Secretary Rumsfeld’s impeachment.

“Their collective call for resignation before having the opportunity to weigh the Secretary’s testimony can only mean one thing: They do not see the reprehensible images from Abu Ghraib Prison as the isolated, aberrant acts of a few soldiers who should be brought to justice. They see it as the implementation of our military’s explicit policy on treatment of prisoners, which therefore requires the dismissal of our secretary of defense.

“The President and Secretary Rumsfeld have made clear that these acts are ‘cruel and disgraceful abuse.’ They are being investigated and court martials are being convened exactly because they are wrongful acts. These hasty calls for resignation reflect a cynical political ploy, or an inaccurate and sadly unfortunate view of the honor of our Armed Forces.”

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These hasty calls for resignation reflect a cynical political ploy, or and an inaccurate and sadly unfortunate view of the honor of our Armed Forces.”

FMCDH