Gen. John Johns in Maine

Retired U.S. Army Gen. John Johns is in Maine this week promoting a plan to end the war in Iraq with First Congressional District candidate Chellie Pingree, D-North Haven.

Johns helped author A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq which would: End U.S. military action in Iraq, use American diplomatic power and address humanitarian concerns. It also seeks to create a U.S.-centered energy policy. Thirty Democratic congressional challengers, including Pingree, have signed onto the plan.

Johns, who is now on the board of the Council for a Livable World, held a press conference with Pingree Wednesday. He said she is the only candidate he appeared with beyond a Washington press conference to kick off the plan.

Click here for video of the press conference, and here for Pingree and Johns talking about the visit.

Pingree earned the endorsement of the council in 2002. The council seeks to inform members of Congress about weapons of mass destruction, nuclear nonproliferation and national security issues. The council does not endorse in primary races, but Johns said they would endorse Pingree in the general elections if she won the primary. She earned their endorsement when she ran for Senate in 2002.

Johns is a national security expert who served 26 years in the military, and also served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and taught at the National Defense University.

Click here for Pingree’s take on the visit.