A few weeks back as the new Congress began its business, I contacted both of my Senators (McCaskill/Bond) and my Congressman Todd Akin asking them to support the withdrawal of US armed forces from Iraq. McCaskill replied to my email in the positive. Kit Bond never replied. Today I got an email from Todd Akin. I told them all in my correspondence that if they chose to stay the course, they would suffer the fate of former Senator Jim Talent. It's clear from his note that he's a stay the course guy.
here is the complete text of the email I received from Congressman Akin.
Thank you for contacting me to express your thoughts on the situation in Iraq.
In the past two years, Iraq has undergone a political transformation that is virtually without precedent. Iraqis have completed several successful nationwide elections, voted for a transitional government, drafted the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world, approved that constitution, and elected a new government under their new constitution. Each successive election has seen less violence, bigger turnout, and broader participation than the one before. Those that took part helped the country take its first steps toward establishing a representative democracy and a stable government for years to come.
I believe the Iraqi elections erase all ambiguity about the political aspirations of the Iraqi people. Very simply, they provided clarity on the general situation in Iraq. Additionally, they highlighted the service of our men and women and their daily successes in rebuilding the country and winning the hearts and minds of Iraqi citizens. Working with the Iraqi people is ensuring freedom for all Iraqis and advancing America’s security interests in the Middle East.
I understand the concerns of those who believe we need to withdraw our troops immediately from Iraq. Having a son who served as a Marine Officer in Fallujah, I understand the concern that naturally arises when young Americans are in harm’s way. However, I understand that if we withdraw unilaterally from Iraq, we would be throwing away the efforts of those who, like my son, are working with local populations and security forces to ensure peace and stability. Such an action, taken prior to making sure the Iraqis can provide for their own security and well-being, would condemn Iraq to instability and civil war for many years.
You may be assured that we will not remain in Iraq indefinitely, only long enough to ensure that the sovereign Iraqi government is stable and has the ability to govern the country without our assistance. Currently, the Iraqis are well on their way to accomplishing this goal. The total number of trained and equipped Iraqi Security Forces surpassed 227,000 in January 2006, an increase of over 35,000 personnel from the report in October 2005. Once these forces are full trained and have proven that they can perform the security functions independently, American forces are more likely to return home in greater numbers.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will continue to do all I can to support our service personnel operating in Iraq. I will also carefully monitor the Iraqi government to ensure its newly elected leaders work to maintain and advance the freedoms of the Iraqi people.
Please feel free to contact me again if you have any additional questions or comments.
Somebody needs to clue Congressman Akin in to the fact that Iraq is already condemned to a future of instability and civil war. I hope that he pays for his position in 08.