A Position To Respect

The congressman from Washington's 3rd District recently made a visit to Iraq.

I believe that the decision to invade Iraq and the post-invasion management of that country were among the largest foreign-policy mistakes in the history of our nation. I voted against them, and I still think they were the right votes," Baird said in a telephone interview from Washington, D.C.
But we're on the ground now. We have a responsibility to the Iraqi people and a strategic interest in making this work.

and

One, I think we're making real progress.
Secondly, I think the consequences of pulling back precipitously would be potentially catastrophic for the Iraqi people themselves, to whom we have a tremendous responsibility … and in the long run chaotic for the region as a whole and for our own security.

This from a man who voted against the the invasion of Iraq. Elected to Congress in 1998 and was chosen as President of his Freshman Democratic Class. Serves on the Democratic Steering Committee and as a Senior Democratic Whip. Brian Baird currently serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Science, and Budget Committees.

• It is refreshing to see a politician that can separate the issues of opposition to entry into war and pragmatic reality of adhering to a country's responsibility once war is begun. Many Democrat's may be secretly aligned with Baird, for his position is the most practical when considering the best interests of both Iraqi and US citizens, but too many are rhetorically stuck on opposition at home rather progress in the field. Thank you, sir.