War in Iraq
Scott Harper opposed the war in Iraq from the beginning and knows that the whole war has been mishandled from the beginning. Unlike Judy Biggert, who voted for the war initially and has been a staunch ally of President Bush's Iraq policy, Scott Harper understands that there was no connection between 9/11 and Iraq and that our strategic errors along the way - the Abu Ghraib scandal, no exit strategy and no plan for post-war Iraq-have weakened our safety and security. In Congress, Scott will support a dramatically different Iraq policy than our current Congresswoman. He will:
Support a phased withdrawal with a timetable to end the war.
Every conceivable military expert agrees that we must develop an exit strategy to the war in Iraq with definable timetables so that we can begin phasing out of the war and bringing our troops home. Judy Biggert had an opportunity to vote for a timetable for withdrawal and demand accountability from the Bush Administration but unfortunately she continued to support a failing policy (HR2337.) Scott will do just the opposite and vote for legislation that will phase out our troops.
Reject our current blank check policy to fund the war.
By being unprepared for the war in Iraq and the post-war state, the Bush Administration has spent an excessive amount of money to stay in Iraq. Since the start of the war, Biggert has authorized President Bush to spend more than $500 billion on the effort without demanding any real progress reports or accountability from the administration. Scott Harper will not support a blank check policy with taxpayer dollars and will ensure that we are spending our money wisely with the top priority being to protect our troops.
Oppose permanent bases in Iraq.
While we must continue to offer our support and assistance to the Iraqi government, permanent bases in Iraq would signify our continued occupation of the country. Scott thinks this would be a strategic mistake, and that it would not make us safer. He thinks that it would actually be a recruiting point for would-be terrorists. In Congress, Scott Harper will reject any plans for permanent bases in Iraq.
Download our