Hickory Daily Record - "Candidates Focus on Moving Forward in Iraq"

News Article

Wednesday marked the fifth anniversary of the Iraq war. President Bush acknowledged the war has been "longer and harder and more costly than we anticipated."

He warned tough fighting remains and said American troops would not be withdrawn hastily.

The Record asked the 10th District congressional candidates for their positions on what the U.S. should do to move forward.
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Patrick McHenry, Republican incumbent

"After severe mismanagement at first, progress is being made in Iraq. Over the last seven months, sectarian violence is down over 80 percent. The surge appears to be working.

I'm going to Iraq soon to meet with our service members and military leaders to get a firsthand look at the situation on the ground. I'll report my findings when I return.

One thing is certain: I will always vote to give our soldiers the tools they need in the field and the care they deserve when they return home."
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Lance Sigmon, Republican challenger

"We must be prepared to make great sacrifices to win the global war on terrorism. When we commit troops to any area of the world where groups or individuals exist for the sole purpose of destroying America or our democratic way of life, we must be prepared to fight to the finish. As a 21-year veteran of the United States Air Force, I understand the sacrifices my fellow service members have made while defending our country.

I have served with and spoken to many veterans who have fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. These brave individuals who voluntarily sacrificed their freedom and put their lives on the line truly understand the mission they embarked upon. They, like the millions of veterans before them, know that our freedom only exists when we take on the challenge to secure it.
On September 11, 2001, I was in my office at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, DC. When I heard the news of the terrorist attacks, I went to the window and watched the smoke billow out of the Pentagon. It was at that moment that I knew that my life and the lives of all service members had changed forever.

When President Bush sent our troops to Afghanistan, I supported his decision. When we went to Iraq, I also supported the President's decision.
Unfortunately, not all of the people of Iraq welcomed our troops as liberators. As such, our troops were faced with irrational sectional conflicts with roots dating back hundreds of years. Clearly, we did not anticipate that type of reception. We also made assumptions that the Iraqi government would be able and willing to take over quickly and deal with the factions who did not want real change. These assumptions have proven to be too optimistic.
When the President ordered the surge last year, I again supported his decision. Like any other military veteran, I believed that our troops needed the opportunity to do what they do best - quickly eliminate the threat to our freedom and safety. I say that because I truly believe that dealing with terrorists abroad as opposed to home is always the better option.
It does not accomplish anything constructive to revisit the decision to enter Iraq. What is important is what we do from this point forward. We cannot stay in Iraq or Afghanistan forever. A workable exit strategy must be pursued, and the sooner, the better. But Americans do not leave just because the mission has been tough, and we do not advertise to the world what our strategies and exit plans are in advance.

When I am elected to Congress, I will carefully review our strategy on the war on terrorism, and I will ensure that our men and women have the necessary tools and support needed to accomplish their mission. When I believe the mission is complete and the time is right to bring them home, I will not be afraid to make my opinion known."
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Daniel Johnson, Democratic challenger

"On the 5th Anniversary of the war in Iraq, it is important for every American to remember the great dangers faced every day by our men and women in uniform. Nearly 4,000 American servicemen and women have been killed in Iraq, and we honor their heroic sacrifice.
Our troops have performed above and beyond the call of duty in their campaign in Iraq. Unfortunately, the focus on Iraq has over-extended our military and diverted resources from other fronts, most importantly Afghanistan. Victory in Iraq will be a stable, independent government that will allow our troops to return home as quickly and safely as possible. In Congress, I will work to force the Iraqi government to take responsibility for the security of their own country, and to provide the armed services with the resources it needs to rebuild our military."
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Steve Ivester, Democratic challenger

"I'm concerned that the window opened by the military surge for political reconciliation, utility and service establishments and police normalization is being wasted. I'm also concerned that early success in Afghanistan has been neglected and that both Afghanistan and Pakistan may slip out of our camp unless we refocus our efforts, military and economic, in those vital theaters."

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