DeWine: More of the Same in Iraq

[OzarkDem]

Senator fails to stand up for Ohio service members

AMHERST -- Ohio Republican incumbent Senator Mike DeWine voted today against an amendment calling for the phased redeployment of U.S. troops from Iraq.

"Mike DeWine failed Ohio's military families today by voting for more of the same in Iraq," said Congressman Sherrod Brown (D-Lorain County). "Ohio service members and their families deserve a plan, not a rubber stamp for the administration."

The proposal, S.Amdt. 4320 to S. 2766, was defeated by a 39-60 vote. The amendment calls for the phased redeployment of U.S. forces to begin this year, and for the administration to submit to Congress a plan for continued redeployment.

As of Thursday, June 22, at least 2,500 American troops have been killed in Iraq, including at least 113 from Ohio.

"Three years ago, Mike DeWine failed to stand up to the president, and voted for the war," Brown said. "In the last two weeks, he has voted twice against cracking down on fraud and contract abuse in Iraq. And now he has voted against even beginning the process of redeploying U.S. forces."

Brown, who voted against the war, has consistently stood up to the president on Iraq. In 2002, he introduced a resolution asking the president to answer eight questions about the war's cost, the strategy for post-war reconstruction, and the provision of body armor for U.S. troops and military vehicles before sending American troops into battle.

In 2005, Brown called on the president to craft a timed plan for withdrawal from Iraq.

"U.S. military leaders and Iraqis alike are talking about redeployment, but Mike DeWine is still refusing to stand up and vote for a change," Brown said. "We need a new direction."

On June 11, General George Casey, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, said on Face the Nation that "as long as the Iraqi security forces continue to progress and as long as this national unity government continues to operate that way and move the country forward, I think we're going to be able to see continued gradual reductions of coalition forces over the coming the months and into next year."

Iraq's Prime Minister and National Security Adviser have both discussed timelines for troop withdrawals .



http://www.sherrodbrown.com/story/2006/6/22/141717/254

[peace13]

1. That's our Mikey!

[zbdent]

2. Until 2006, DeWhine voted lockstep for the Pres

95 percent of the time . . .