While Ed Case Votes For Bush's Status Quo

Senator Daniel K. Akaka today voted to begin a phased withdrawal of U.S. combat troops from Iraq, supporting two amendments offered to the Department of Defense Authorization Bill.

"We are far past the time for a clear and definite exit strategy for Iraq. The Bush Administration's policy of no plan, no end is a failure and offers no incentive for the Iraqi people to work towards a safe, secure, united country. Unless and until Iraqis are truly responsible for determining their own future, we will continue to squander both American and Iraqi lives and resources. Political phrases like "cut and run" cannot disguise the fact that President Bush has no plan or strategy to end this war."

Akaka's original stance on the Iraq war, his calls for a phased withdrawal and his Senate votes today all sharply contrast with the position of Ed Case.

Case characterizes Senator Akaka's 2002 vote against the Iraq invasion as a "mistake," says that he himself would likely have voted to authorize the war, and last Friday voted with House Republicans to endorse the ongoing Bush policy in Iraq and reject a timetable for withdrawal.

To date American war dead number more than 2500, Iraqi casualties are in the tens of thousands and the cost of the war is at nearly $300 billion and growing.

Akaka says, "I would never support any action that would put our troops at risk, but I cannot condone policies which allow needless casualties and lead us nowhere. We owe it to our men and women in the military, their families and the people of this country to begin the process of bringing our troops home."