Spark It Up!!!: Duncan Hunter responds to comments by Senator John Warner

Presidential candidate Duncan Hunter responds to comments by Senator John Warner

August 27, 2007

Fort Worth, TX-GOP presidential contender Duncan Hunter responded sharply to comments offered by Senator John Warner, former Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman. Last week Warner urged the beginning of a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq, saying President Bush should put "decisive pressure'' on Iraqi leaders to let them know "we're not going to be there forever,'' said Warner on NBC's "Meet the Press". Senator Warner's suggested bringing some 5,000 troops by the end of the year.

Upon learning of Sen. Warner's comments in the nation's capital, Hunter quickly responded, "Our service men and women stand right now, as we speak, in harm's way, ready to sacrifice everything for our nation's defense and for the freedom of the Iraqi people. Just when we are beginning to see real progress under the capable General Petraeus, Senator Warner, whom I respect, undermines their efforts by tucking tail. He continued, "As President I WILL NOT cower under pressure from politicians, media, or the international community. This nation is great because it is just and free. We absolutely cannot back down in defending that freedom. I am very disappointed in Sen. Warner tonight, and I trust his comments will fall on deaf ears."

Ironically, while Warner addressed the Washington press corps on his call for withdrawal, Hunter fielded questions from a packed house of Arlington, Texas, Republicans. Asked how do we get out of Iraq, Hunter explained the second phase of the American blueprint for expanding freedom was well underway. "A government, elected by its people, has been stood up. The U.S. military is now in the process of standing up an Iraqi military capable of protecting the government,"

Hunter explained that most of the 129 Iraqi battalions had not undertaken extensive combat operations and should be deployed for three to four months in contentious Iraq battle zones to demonstrate their combat effectiveness. Hunter added, "Once reliability is established in the Iraqi military, they will be capable of rotating into the battlefield throughout Iraq, displacing U.S. combat forces, that's how we leave Iraq, which will amount to an unprecedented success in the most difficult region of the new era,"

Hunter took a shot at the Democrats for what he called, "ignoring the U.S. military and shunning their accomplishments." Hunter contends that while working on the war issues in both the house and senate, not one single Democrat commended the U.S. Marines Corps for the progress they are making in Iraq,

Congressman Hunter is the counterpart to Senator Warner, the senior Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. Hunter now the Ranking Republican Member of House Armed Services Committee was that committee's chairman for four years.

Hunter's message of a stronger national defense, enforceable borders, and fair trade with China are resonating with voters across the Texas. His tour of the state has picked up critical momentum rolling up to the September 1st Texas GOP Straw Poll in Ft. Worth. He explains his vision for the presidency simply, "I will have had an effective presidency if the American people are more independent of government than when I was elected."

Hunter will lead a salute to our troops on Friday, September 31^st at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The rally will meet at 4:00 pm in the water park area.

Following the conclusion of the Texas GOP Straw Poll Congressman Hunter will travel to Carson City, NV to help kickoff "Move America Forward's" patriotic, pro-troop "Fight for Victory Tour." This great event for that takes place on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 9:00 am to share his vision for victory abroad and a stronger national defense.