ActBlue — Real Leaders on Iraq

Real Leaders on Iraq

by Ned Lamont

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While a clear majority in Congress wants to see an end to America’s frontline combat role in Iraq, a partisan minority in Congress (including Sen. Lieberman) continue to block all bipartisan efforts to end the war and start building a real peace in the Middle East.

Now more than ever, we need candidates who won’t dither on the fence, but whose strong leadership will push the debate in the right direction.

With the Presidential campaign in full swing, and key votes taking place in Congress, your support for these candidates will make a difference now:

Chris Dodd

President

Chris has been leading on Iraq since day one of his Presidential campaign, and I am proud to be supporting him for President. He was the first presidential candidate to co-sponsor the Reid-Feingold legislation for a firm timetable for redeployment of our combat troops. And he has led strongly on other major issues, from his outspoken defense of our constitutional liberties to national service to global warming. Sen. Dodd was a great help to our campaign in Connecticut last year, and he’s running an inspiring and substantive campaign this year.

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Tom Allen

ME-Sen (Map)

The Democrats have a great challenger in this race in Rep. Tom Allen, a real progressive who has shown consistent wisdom and courage on Iraq. Unlike incumbent Susan Collins, he spoke out strongly against the authorization for war in 2002, and he has voted repeatedly to bring an end to the war. As Tom wrote in a recent op-ed, Americans “are desperate for new leadership that won’t just keep rearranging the deck chairs but will grab the wheel and steer us clear of the disaster lying ahead on the current course.” Tom is showing just this type of leadership in his campaign, and I have no doubt that he will do so even more once he gets to the Senate.

Jim Himes

CT-04 (Map)

Jim Himes is stepping up in my home Congressional district in Connecticut to take on the longtime incumbent Chris Shays, who was a vocal supporter of the invasion, before he supported timelines, before he supported the recent escalation. Despite his rhetoric, Shays has been a consistent vote for Bush on Iraq. Jim has been doing a great job holding Chris’ feet to the fire on Iraq, while also standing up for a strong progressive policy on national security. And with his background in the non-profit and business worlds, he will bring the type of entrepreneurial leadership to Congress that it so desperately needs.

Chellie Pingree

ME-01 (Map)

My friend Chellie Pingree is running for Congress in Tom Allen’s seat in the first district in Maine, and she has demonstrated in this campaign that she will be able to follow in his footsteps. Like Tom, Chellie was leading on the war before it began, when she stood up and said clearly that this was the wrong war against the wrong enemy during her race for Senate five years ago. As president of Common Cause, she helped expose the no-bid contracts being awarded in Iraq to companies like Halliburton. And in her campaign, she’s spoken out often and strongly against the war. Chellie has proven she has the experience and wisdom to be a great representative for the voters of Maine, and a real leader in Congress.

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