20070824 Our troops have earned more time by Rep. Baird, D-Washington State 3rd Dist.

Our troops have earned more time by Rep. Baird, D-Washington State 3^rd Dist.

By Brian Baird, Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, represents Washington's 3rd Congressional District.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin: “Our troops have earned more time” on August 24^th, 2007

Democrat Rep. Brian Baird is one of the most liberal members of Congress. Last week, he made headlines and angered moonbats after returning from Iraq and concluding that precipitous withdrawal would be disastrous. Today, he has an op-ed in the Seattle Times elaborating on the need to stay and fight despite his initial opposition to the war:

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I imagine that the the Seattle Times staffers who were cheering Karl Rove’s resignation will not be cheering Brian Baird.

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A related must-read: Greyhawk responds to the NYTimes op-ed by a group of 82d Airborne NCOs.

Via Vets for Freedom, a new ad campaign from Freedom’s Watch.

And in case you missed it, here’s a reminder of upcoming events and activities in Washington, D.C. in a few weeks: The return of the Eagles.

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Other views…

The LATimes reports:

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And GOP Sen. John Warner wants pullouts by Christmas.

Charles Krauthammer boils down what he sees as the “Iraqi convergence” and the path forward:

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Update: Michelle Malkin: “The Left bashes Brian Baird” on August 28^th, 2007

I highlighted Democrat Rep. Brian Baird’s op-ed last week in the Seattle Times arguing against precipitous withdrawal from Iraq after he returned from a trip there on the ground. The nutroots continue to be incensed with Baird’s conclusions.

Check out the reports on Baird’s appearance at a town hall meeting in Vancouver, Wa:

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Oregonlive.com has more:

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Here is video of Baird in Iraq from his website.

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Our troops have earned more time by Rep. Baird, D-Washington State 3^rd Dist.

By Brian Baird, Rep. Brian Baird, D-Vancouver, represents Washington's 3rd Congressional District.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Special to The Seattle Times

The invasion of Iraq may be one of the worst foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation. As tragic and costly as that mistake has been, a precipitous or premature withdrawal of our forces now has the potential to turn the initial errors into an even greater problem just as success looks possible.

As a Democrat who voted against the war from the outset and who has been frankly critical of the administration and the post-invasion strategy, I am convinced by the evidence that the situation has at long last begun to change substantially for the better. I believe Iraq could have a positive future. Our diplomatic and military leaders in Iraq, their current strategy, and most importantly, our troops and the Iraqi people themselves, deserve our continued support and more time to succeed.

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… how can someone who opposed the war now call for continuing the new directions that have been taken in Iraq? The answer is that the people, strategies and facts on the ground have changed for the better and those changes justify changing our position on what should be done.

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From a strategic perspective, if we leave now, Iraq is likely to break into even worse sectarian conflict. The extremist regime in Iran will expand its influence in Iraq and elsewhere in the region. Terrorist organizations, the people who cut off the heads of civilians, stone women to death, and preach hatred and intolerance, will be emboldened by our departure. In the ensuing chaos, the courageous Iraqi civilians, soldiers and political leaders who have counted on us will be left to the slaughter. No American who cares about human rights, security and our moral standing in the world can be comfortable letting these things happen.

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I do not know the details of what the September report will contain, but I trust and respect Gen. David Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker. I have seen firsthand the progress they have made, and I firmly believe we must give them the time and resources they need to succeed.

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Progress is being made and there is real reason for hope. It would be a tragic waste and lasting strategic blunder to let the hard-fought and important gains slip away, leaving chaos behind to haunt us and our allies for many years to come.

Read the entire piece by Representative Baird here: Our troops have earned more time by Rep. Baird, D-Washington State 3rd Dist.