It’s About Time

On October 10, 2002, I joined 125 of my Democratic colleagues and 6 Republicans in opposing the resolution authorizing the Invasion of Iraq. I’d carefully reviewed the arguments and evidence offered in support of the war. But, I couldn’t agree with the proponents. I’ve never regretted that vote. We were misled into the war and almost 3000 of our troops and tens of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians have paid the ultimate price for our mistake.

Just over one year ago, my friend Jack Murtha came under withering fire for his courageous call for withdrawal from the quagmire Iraq has become.  Now, a year and an election later, the Iraq Study Group has vindicated Murtha’s position.

I thoroughly agree with the Group’s conclusion that “current U.S. policy is not working” and with Co-chairman James A. Baker III’s statement “We do not recommend a ‘stay the course’ solution.” And, even before the report was released, outgoing Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld released the cover letter to his now famous leaked memo, in which he states: “In my view it is time for a major adjustment” in Iraq, including beginning withdrawal of troops.  It certainly took him long enough.

Unfortunately, thousands of brave Americans and innocent Iraqis have died or been maimed during the time it took Republicans to admit what the rest of us knew was true. The sooner we can get US troops out of Iraq and over the horizon, the better.