Ex-Rep. Charlie Wilson to talk Afghanistan with Moran

It’s not Tom Hanks, but Rep. Jim Moran is bringing some star power to a town hall meeting in his district.

The Virginia Democrat has invited former congressman Charlie Wilson, the subject of the book and feature film “Charlie Wilson’s War,” to speak at the Sept. 24 event. The town hall focuses on U.S. foreign policy in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Middle East.

{mosads}Wilson’s presence indicates the spotlight will be on Afghanistan and Pakistan, which Democrats have long said should be the focus of the United States’ war on terror, rather than Iraq.

“Charlie’s got an intimate knowledge of matters in Afghanistan and Pakistan from his work as a congressman,” said Moran spokesman Austin Durrer. “When we were attacked on 9/11, it wasn’t any forces from Iraq.”

The film and book detail Wilson’s campaign to direct hundreds of millions of dollars covertly to help the mujahedeen defeat the Soviet Army in Afghanistan. But it also describes Wilson’s life as “Good-Time Charlie,” who was better known for his exploits at parties and in the bedroom than for his prowess as a legislator. The movie touches on allegations he used cocaine, and in the opening scene, he’s cavorting with naked strippers in a Las Vegas hot tub.

And from a foreign policy standpoint, some of the mujahedeen turned their sights on the United States after the Soviet Union fled.

Wilson is now 75, and his hard-partying history is not a concern to Moran, Durrer said.

“He’s certainly lived a colorful life, but that doesn’t detract from the things he’s got to say,” Durrer said. “This is a guy who almost single-handedly took on Russia in Afghanistan.”

The office has gotten no complaints, Durrer said. Most people who have called asked if they can get Wilson to sign their copies of the book, authored by George Crile. Moran has booked the Schlesinger Center at Northern Virginia Community College in Alexandria for the event, which Durrer said is the largest venue in Moran’s district.

Wilson and Moran served together for four years in Congress and two years in the Appropriations Committee before Wilson left Congress in 1977. And Durrer said Moran and Wilson are personal friends. Last year, Moran was one of the few members of Congress to attend Wilson’s birthday party in Fredericksburg, Durrer said, if not the only one.