Rep. Brian Baird, a Democrat who represents Washington's 3rd District (Olympia) voted against the war back in 2002. Now, after a trip to Iraq, he's supporting the surge.
What's wrong with this guy?
Baird, a five-term Democrat, voted against President Bush ordering the Iraq invasion — at a time when he was in a minority in Congress and at risk of alienating voters. He returned late Tuesday from a trip that included stops in Israel, Jordan and Iraq, where he met troops, U.S. advisers and Iraqis, whose stories have convinced him that U.S. troops must stay longer.
Apparently, one trip to the Middle East was enough to convince Baird to toss a career's worth of convictions on the war. He once supported the idea of partitioning Iraq. But now he's against it because nobody he talked to on this trip liked the idea.
Must have been a hell of a trip.
He now says we are "making real progress."
Maybe on his next trip he should go to Basra.
Apparently, however, Congressman Baird has not convinced all of his constituents of the righteousness of his new position.
Activists rallied Thursday at the state Capitol, saying they want Baird, who represents the 3rd Congressional District, which includes Olympia, to vote for withdrawing U.S. troops. But Baird said he believes that to the extent Iraqis think the United States would withdraw before bringing security to a functioning Iraqi government, "that might contribute to the infighting and instability of the government."
Idiot. Of course it will contribute to infighting and instability. And if we stay it will also contribute to the infighting and instability.
Sounds like this guy needs a primary opponent. He had one in 2004, Cheryl Crist. Not sure if he'll have one in 2008 though.