May 14, 2008 - 8:41am
Strimling takes Pingree to task for Iraq war stance
By Wally Edge
Category: HouseTags: Iraq War, Chellie Pingree, Ethan Strimling, Mark Lawrence, Mike Brennan, Adam Cote, Tom Allen, Steve Meister
First District Congressional Candidate Ethan Strimling has called one of his opponents "inconsistent" on her Iraq war position, accusing her of "sending mixed messages".
In a statement released by the campaign, Mr. Strimling refers to a recent dust up in which Pingree made several public appearances and pronouncements supporting a withdrawal plan. The Strimling campaign has pointed out that Pingree has said she favors an immediate end to the war, yet she also signed on to a plan that withdraws troops and reduces US involvement over a period of time. That plan is known as the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.
Strimling also took the opportunity to point out that Adam Cote also favors a more gradual draw down of the troops, which, Strimling claims, puts him at odds with the current office holder, Tom Allen. Candidates Mike Brennan, and Mark Lawrence are closely aligned with the Strimling position on the Iraq war while Steve Meister is more in line with Cote position.
As I have said before, this is a gamble for all of the candidates. There is no clear public sentiment on next steps for the war in Iraq: stay the course, finish the job, get out now, and a time table for withdrawal, are all vying for dominance with a confused public. At the end of the day-in a six-way primary election -- it will most likely be about turn out, money, name I.D. and the ground game, as it almost always is.
Strimling closes his statement by noting, "The last thing we need in Washington are politicians who talk out of both sides of their mouths, or offer more of the same. We need a change because Washington just doesn't get it."
If that was actually "the last thing we need in Washington" there would be a lot of empty seats.
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Let me quote again....
I posted on this the other day. I actually read this Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq thing (I know, I know, it's an exciting life I lead)
It says "troop draw-downs should begin immediately and continue until no more troops remain in Iraq."
So Pingree said she supports an immediate end to the war and the plan says pull out begins immediately. How's that inconsistent?
The boys in this race are looking for a fight and have figured they've got to find a way to bring down Pingree. Disappointing, but I guess that's their strategy.
Ethan is right
Chellie is trying to have it both ways on the Iraq war.
Adam Cote, Charlie Summers and Steve Meister have all seen war. The rest of them have only read about or tout their relatives war experience which is analogous to me saying I know what it is like to give birth.
Iraq and veterans issues are too important to be left to people with no real relevant experience. Let's not send another empty suit to Washington. Pingree, Strimling,et al, have wrongly based their Iraq and policy positions on the out of touch ultra left. Either they are lying to them merely to get elected or they no nothing about which they speak. Either way it disqualifies them on these issues. We don't need any more finger in the air weathervanes in Washington.
This veterans and all my family and friends will be voting for Adam Cote and I would urge you to do so too.
Ha!
This from someone who's supporting Cote, who said he's not sure whether he would've voted for the war or not! If he hasn't made his mind up by now, he's not really the decisive type, is he?
Vote for Adam Cote a Real Leader
Adam Cote has been consistent right from the beginning regarding Iraq. That's Leadership.
Harken back to when the Soviets abruptly withdraw from Afghanistan and left a fertile breeding ground for the Taliban. That's what would happen in Iraq and professional politicians like Pingree and Strimling lack the integrity to tell voters that. I'm a lifelong Democrat and I don't agree with the war, but one thing Colin Powell did say that was true was, "if you break it you own it." Like it or not we own it now and we need to do what is right over there - not bury our heads in the sand and try to wish it away.
And while I do not agree with Ethan about the war, I respect his constancy, which is more than I can say about Chellie "beholden to out of state donors" Pingree.
Chellie's has no backbone, if she did she wouldn't have conceded her gubernatorial campaign to Baldacci. That's not leadership, it's cowardice and tells me and many other voters that she'll play ball with the special interests if it benefits her in the long run. Make no mistake about it, Chellie is an inside the beltway crony that has done quite well for herself helping the downtrodden. She's no Mother Teresa.
Send someone who has seen real life combat to fend off the sharks in Washington.
Elect Adam Cote!
Stunning.
Well, that's gotta be the wackiest comment of the day!
Apparently, not waging a primary fight against another Democrat is now a sign you have no backbone. Maybe that makes sense if you're a Republican!
Walt
How long have you been working for Pingree Walt? You don't appear very objective.
Here's a newsflash for you. I'm a lifelong Democrat and uber liberals like you don't speak for the rest of us. Not all Dems have ducked the military.
Adam Cote is going to win on June 10th - stock up on the hankies and deal with it.
Adam Cote appeared to be a
Adam Cote appeared to be a good guy but I grow wary because the amount of money he is getting from big business. While he had a lot of good ideas I got the impression from the debates that he still lacks the experience for the national arena.
Those labeling Pingree as a crony perhaps should take a look at the organization Common Cause which she was a part of. Transparency is badly needed in Washington. This is the kind of transparency that allows you see who big business is really backing.
I do not see why people are splitting hairs between "Get out of Iraq now" and "Get out of Iraq now and responsibly". If that is the best you can come up with then in the end I think it will only drum up more support for Pingree as she moves for a responsible solution for getting out of Iraq.
I wouldn't surprise me that much of Adam Cote's new support are republicans hoping he'll beat Pingree then be torn apart because of his experience on the final dash to the finish line.
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