Posted on 06/12/2005 2:40:16 PM PDT by Tumbleweed_Connection
A Republican congressman who voted for the Iraq war said Sunday that "we've done about as much as we can do" in the country and that the reason for invading Iraq has proven false.
Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolina will be among the lawmakers introducing legislation this week calling for a timetable for the withdrawal of American troops in Iraq.
"When I look at the number of men and women who have been killed - it's almost 1,700 now, in addition to close to 12,000 have been severely wounded - and I just feel that the reason of going in for weapons of mass destruction, the ability of the Iraqis to make a nuclear weapon, that's all been proven that it was never there," Jones said on ABC's "This Week."
President Bush has said any timetable for withdrawal would encourage insurgents to wait for the foreign troops to leave, but Jones said he believed Iraqis can defend their own country.
His stance leaves Jones sided with Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, the most prominent Democrat calling for a timetable to leave Iraq. Jones said he had not discussed the issue with Kennedy.
Two years ago, Jones helped lead an effort to make sure Capitol Hill cafeterias retooled their menus to advertise "freedom fries" instead of french fries to protest France's opposition to the war.
Jones said he began changing his mind about the war after attending the funeral in April 2003 for Sgt. Michael Bitz, 31, who was killed in the southern city of Nasiriyah. He recalled that Bitz's widow read the last letter she received from her husband.
"And that really has been on my mind and my heart ever since," he said...
(Excerpt) Read more at ap.washingtontimes.com ...
Is he in a swing district?
"calling for a timetable for withdrawal"
Of course .. why don't we shut down Gitmo, turn all the terrorists loose and tell the terrorists when we're leaving Iraq. Wow!!
HOW IN HELL DID THESE IDIOTS EVER GET ELECTED - THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DEFEND AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES - NOT DEFEND AND PROTECT THE TERRORISTS!!
Yes .. I'm screaming!!! I'm sick of this crap.
"...and that the reason for invading Iraq has proven false."
Makes me ashamed to be in NC.
I don't know but it would be interesting to see how his district polls on this matter.
"And that really has been on my mind and my heart ever since,"
I can appreciate the sentiment.....but....leaving too soon will only mean allowing Iraq to fall to terrorists invading from all sides.
I think I heard this call a couple of times this morning on the talk shows by others... or at least others answering the question of when we might pull out.
Jones was a Democrat for most of his political career. He ran for Congress in 1992 as a Dem, and lost. He saw which way the wind was blowing, so switched parties, and won as a Republican.
I would like to know how Camp Lejune feel about him??
He isn't a Republican now either.
It sounds like his problem is more with himself than with the mission. He should resign.
Here little Muslim. Here little Muslim. Just wait until all the good guys are gone then you and Walter Jones can go in and start killing people again, without any opposition.
President Bush should do a Lincoln and fire this hopeless military leadership from Rumsfeld on down and replace them with leaders who are able to come up with a plan to win this war soon and not cop out about how difficult it is and how long it will take. Patton wouldn't take those excuses.
I say again Over or Out. Get it Over or get us Out. We still have China to worry about.
This is what I'd like to know... why have a military if we aren't willing to risk them giving their lives?
Pulling out too soon undermines the efforts of those who died for the cause.
Is this Jones character another member in good standing of the Jim Jeffords Scarlet Letter Club?
President Bush should do a Lincoln and fire this hopeless military leadership from Rumsfeld on down and replace them with leaders who are able to come up with a plan to win this war soon and not cop out about how difficult it is and how long it will take. Patton wouldn't take those excuses.
I say again Over or Out. Get it Over or get us Out. We still have China to worry about
The resident Bush hater comes out. Using your and Jones's logic there should have never been a D-Day.
Oh BTW what about the warnings the clinton administartion and the UN that saddam had WMD.
BTW, snook a simple question is the world better or worse off now that saddam is out of power.
"We've done about as much as we can do."
I hate to say it (forgive me Lord) but what a fool.
We all want our people home but we clearly are not finished.
What info does he have that proves we've done enough?
"Jones was a Democrat for most of his political career. He ran for Congress in 1992 as a Dem, and lost. He saw which way the wind was blowing, so switched parties, and won as a Republican."
Times are getting tougher. I have a feeling that 2006 may be a difficult election cycle, and the conservative movement is going to find out who its true friends are.
But we may lose a few hangers-on.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.