Walsh says it's time to withdraw troops



Rep. Jim Walsh, in a dramatic break with the White House, returned Monday from a trip to Iraq saying it's time to bring troops home and stop funding the war. The moderate Republican from Onondaga has struggled for months with conflicting emotions about the war. "Before I went, I was not prepared to say it's time to start bringing our troops home," Walsh said. "I am prepared to say that now. It's time." Walsh's announcement came as Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, told House members that the troop "surge" has made progress. But Walsh said he saw little evidence that much has changed in Iraq since he last visited four years ago. He said he hopes to meet with President Bush to convey his change of heart. Congressman James Walsh of New York served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Nepal in the 1960's.

Walsh says it's time to withdraw troops

Walsh says it's time to withdraw troops

Erin Kelly
Washington correspondent


(September 11, 2007) — WASHINGTON — Rep. Jim Walsh, in a dramatic break with the White House, returned Monday from a trip to Iraq saying it's time to bring troops home and stop funding the war.

The moderate Republican from Onondaga has struggled for months with conflicting emotions about the war.

"Before I went, I was not prepared to say it's time to start bringing our troops home," Walsh said. "I am prepared to say that now. It's time."

Walsh's announcement came as Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander in Iraq, told House members that the troop "surge" has made progress.

But Walsh said he saw little evidence that much has changed in Iraq since he last visited four years ago. He said he hopes to meet with President Bush to convey his change of heart.

Other members of the Rochester area's House delegation reacted to Petraeus' testimony largely along party lines, with Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-Clarence, Erie County, generally supportive of the recommendations and Democratic Reps. Louise Slaughter of Fairport and Mike Arcuri of Utica saying Petraeus painted an overly rosy picture.

Rep. Randy Kuhl, R-Hammondsport, said he wants to read the testimony and wouldn't comment until today.

"The testimony ... by Gen. Petraeus is nothing more than the predictable, cherry-picked information used to mask the reality of what is really happening in Iraq," said Slaughter.

"Now that the U.S. military has made gains in its counterinsurgency strategy, the Iraqi government has a new opportunity to make things work. They've got to take hold of that opportunity," Reynolds said.

"We simply cannot afford another year in Iraq," Arcuri said.


EKELLY@gns.gannett.com

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: September, 2007; RPCV James Walsh (Nepal); Figures; Peace Corps Nepal; Directory of Nepal RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Nepal RPCVs; Politics; Congress; Iraq; New York

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