Story Photos
 Photo by Bill Wagner Congressman Brian Baird (D-Vancouver) speaks to about 150 people Tuesday evening during a town hall meeting at the Cowlitz County Exposition Center to explain his decision against immediate troop withdrawal in Iraq. |
Baird defends Iraq stance
Tuesday, August 28, 2007 11:11 PM PDT
By Stephanie Mathieu
Printable version
E-mail this articleSouthwest Washington Congressman Brian Baird on Tuesday defended his new stance against immediate troop withdrawal from Iraq --- a decision that has gained him local criticism and national media attention.
The Vancouver Democrat made the announcement after returning from a weeklong trip to the Middle East earlier this month, citing unanimous pleas from sectarian and military leaders for continual U.S. presence in Iraq. If troops can remain at increased "surge" levels at least until spring, the progress made under recently replaced military officials is less likely to be lost, Baird said.
"The odds are probably still against us succeeding," Baird said during an editorial board meeting with The Daily News Tuesday afternoon. "But I think they're improving."
Opinions about Baird's new stance were mixed among the 150 audience members who attended a town hall meeting Tuesday evening at the Cowlitz County Exposition Center. Baird voted against the Iraq War resolution in 2002, and three months ago he supported a time line for withdrawal that would have started in October.
"It's like we hired you and now you're not doing what we hired you to do," Longview resident Bill Kasch said to Baird, prompting an eruption of applause.
"Once our country makes a decision, we're in it," Baird replied. "It was not easy to do what I've done."
"Thank God you did," one audience member shouted, followed quickly by another's interruption: "Get us out of the war!"
Although Baird said he still disagrees with the war, he told the crowd it was morally irresponsible to pull troops out now.
Iraqi citizens are becoming more eager to help secure their communities against insurgent groups, such as Al Qaeda, and sectarian groups will soon enter talks about elections and oil laws, Baird said.
While in Iraq, Baird said a civilian told him, "If you withdraw, you need to know what the consequences are. You will leave us defenseless."
Gen. David Petraeus, commander of U.S. troops in Iraq since January, should be trusted to decide when and how to pull out, Baird said. Petraeus gained Baird's trust when he told the congressman that the military surge had helped the situation in Iraq, but not as much as the increasing cooperation of the country's civilians.
"I thought that was impressive," Baird said. "He could have given the straight party line. That's somebody I'm willing to trust."
The country's economy also is improving because government-owned businesses are starting to reopen after being shut down upon U.S. occupation.
Baird said he would support raising taxes to pay for continued military presence in Iraq and that scaling back this spring still means some troops could remain in the country for several years. Between now and this spring, troops should have the opportunity to leave areas that have gained stability and focus on more volatile areas of the country, Baird said.
Dave Johnson, a sergeant from Longview who has served three military tours, told Baird he supported his new stance.
"I agree with not having a set deadline," Johnson said. "Once we leave, (insurgents are) going to kick it up a notch. We want to finish the job."
Other audience members expressed frustration with the number of civilians and soldiers killed since U.S. occupation, and for having to pay billions to the military when more money is needed for universal health care and education.
On Monday evening, Baird faced stronger opposition at a town hall meeting in Vancouver, where angry citizens accused him of siding with Republicans. News of the congressman's shift also hit national cable channels, such as FOX News.
Baird told the Longview audience that the stubborn certainty he's seen on both sides of the issue troubles him. The president has surrounded himself with people who agree with him, Baird said, and he hopes fellow Democrats won't do the same.
"I would hate to see our side engage in a comparable version of groupthink. ... This incredible, seething anger and absolutism I think is pretty dangerous."
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