Obstructionist-in-Chief McConnell stood with Bush, Cheney in Historic Vote to Bring U.S. Troops Home
On the heels of most significant vote since the 2002 vote to authorize war in Iraq, Americans United for Change blasts Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for opposing legislation to fund the troops begin the responsible redeployment of U.S. troops out of harm's way in Iraq
Washington D.C. -- As the Bush administration's failed ‘stay the course' policies in Iraq entered into a 5th year this month, and as U.S. forces continue to suffer tragic consequences policing an increasingly bloody civil war between Shiite militias and Sunni extremists, Americans United for Change sharply rebuked Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for voting against final passage of the Defense Supplemental Appropriations bill --- key legislation which funds the troops and begins the responsible redeployment of U.S. forces out of harm's way in Iraq within 120 days of enactment, with the goal of having only a limited number of troops remaining in the country by March 31st, 2008. The bill passed by a 51-47 margin in the U.S. Senate and represented the most historic and significant vote on U.S. Iraq policy since the vote to authorize the war in 2002. The vote came on the heels of an aggressive new TV ad campaign launched by Americans United for Change this week calling on Mitch McConnell to stop obstructing meaningful efforts to change course in Iraq. The ad, entitled ‘Wrong,' will run statewide in Kentucky through the Senate congressional recess next week, and can be viewed here: http://www.americansunitedforchange.org/blog/entries/tell_mitch_mcconnell_stop_blocking_change_in_iraq
"4 years. Nearly $400 billion squandered. Over 32,000 American soldiers wounded. Over 3,200 American lives lost. How many of those lives were lost since President Bush dressed up in a flight suit and declared ‘mission accomplished,'" said Jeremy Funk, spokesman for Americans United for Change. "60 percent of Kentuckians disapprove of the way Bush has handled the war, and 61 percent say they oppose the President's plan to send at least 20,000 more of our troops into this violent civil war that has no end in sight. But, today, the people of Kentucky's calls for a new direction in Iraq fell on deaf ears. As we now enter into a fifth bloody year in Iraq, Senate Minority Leader and Obstructionist-in-Chief Mitch McConnell voted against key legislation to set a date certain for responsible redeployment of U.S. troops out of this bloody civil war that has no end in sight. This represented the most historic vote since the vote to authorize the war in 2002 - it represented a clear choice of standing with the troops, or standing with the failed Bush-Cheney ‘stay the course' policy of opened ended, permanent war in Iraq. Mitch McConnell unapologetically chose the latter. Fortunately for Kentucky families who have loved ones serving overseas, the Senate today took a giant step forward towards a new direction in Iraq, toward holding the Iraqi government accountable and bringing our troops home."
The new ad launched this week is just ‘phase 1' of a broader campaign Americans United for Change is launching against the obstructionist-in-chief Mitch McConnell called ‘McConnell Watch,' which seeks to hold the Senator accountable for Standing in the Way of a forward looking, middle class economic agenda and a responsible redeployment of our troops from Iraq and out of the crosshairs of a civil war. McConnell's use of procedure and other tactics to delay and obstruct key votes and debate on these issues - issues on which the majority of American's agree that change is vital - is inexcusable. McConnell will continue to obstruct progress on these and other issues with impunity unless he is held accountable.
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