North Platte Telegraph - "Dems Say Iraq Security Must Precede Pullout"
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North Platte Telegraph - "Dems Say Iraq Security Must Precede Pullout"
U.S. Senate candidate Tony Raimondo said Saturday he would like American troops to be withdrawn from Iraq within one to three years.
His chief opponent for the Democratic nomination, Scott Kleeb, said he won't put a time frame on withdrawal. Both Raimondo and Kleeb said the United States can't leave Iraq until that country is stable and secure.
"Withdrawal is going to come we do have to withdraw," Kleeb said. "But I don't think it's my job to put an actual timetable on it."
Said Raimondo: "We have to design an exit strategy that gives us some honor as we turn it over to the Iraqis."
Kleeb and Raimondo stumped for votes at a candidates' forum sponsored by Democrats in western Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. About 60 people attended, many of them party activists.
The forum also featured Democratic Senate candidate Larry Marvin of Fremont, who has said he will campaign only on weekends. Marvin called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
He told the group that he is David in a race against Goliath, and he indicated that he did not plan to raise much money for his campaign.
Raimondo and Kleeb are the clear front-runners for the Democratic nomination in the May 13 primary. Republican Mike Johanns, the former Nebraska governor and former U.S. agriculture secretary, is the GOP front-runner.
Kleeb and Raimondo both live in the 3rd District. Kleeb teaches history at Hastings College, while Raimondo is the head of Behlen Manufacturing Co. in Columbus.
However, Kleeb may have an advantage in western Nebraska. He ran a spirited campaign for Congress in the district in 2006, losing to U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith, a Republican from Gering.
Kleeb knew many of the people in the room Saturday, calling them by their names from the stage.
This is Raimondo's first political run, and he is a former Republican who met many of the people in the room for the first time.
Raimondo still has to prove his Democratic credentials. He switched parties in December, after deciding that the GOP primary became unwinnable after Johanns entered the race.
Raimondo said Saturday he believes he is a better fit in the Democratic Party.
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