Domenici & Wilson: Do You Support a Draft to Sustain Bush's Endless War?

From Americans Against Escalation in Iraq: Just 14 days before ‘Take a Stand Day’ –- the town hall event in which New Mexicans will ask Senator Pete Domenici and Rep. Heather Wilson to explain their war stance –- the Bush administration raised the stakes of the Iraq war even higher. Last week Lt. Gen. Doug Lute, President Bush’s “War Czar,” said he is considering reinstating a military draft. This bombshell announcement followed recent statements by General David Petraeus that U.S. forces should stay in Iraq for another 9 or 10 years. 

In the wake of these startling revelations, New Mexicans are asking Domenici and Wilson -– both of whom have obediently supported Bush’s reckless policy of endless war –- since you support Bush’s endless war, do you also support the draft needed to sustain it?

“Senator Domenici and Congresswoman Wilson make no apologies for their continued support of the President’s costly and reckless policy of endless war in Iraq, despite the fact that the vast majority of their constituents are adamantly opposed to keeping our troops stuck in the crosshairs of a religious civil war,” said Greg Richardson, Field Director for the New Mexico chapter of the Iraq Summer Campaign.  “The people of New Mexico deserve to know:  Do Senator Domenici and Rep. Wilson agree with General Petraeus’ assessment that the US will need to keep fighting in Iraq for the next 10 years?  If so, are they then willing to support a draft to maintain troop levels to support the Petraeus plan to stay in Iraq for another 10 years?”

“The Bush Administration’s reckless use of our military, National Guard and Reserves has strained our armed forces to the breaking point and has left us vulnerable here at home,” continued Richardson. “Senator Domenici and Rep. Wilson can no longer ignore the 800-pound gorilla in the room: Without a plan to get the US troops safely out of Iraq we could end up in situation where there is no choice but a draft.”

“If Domenici and Wilson don’t support the draft, then they must finally represent the majority of New Mexicans by voting to bring the war in Iraq to a safe and responsible end.  They have a choice to make: either stand with the people of New Mexico and vote to bring the troops home – or continue to enable the President’s reckless policy of U.S. troops refereeing an endless civil war in Iraq.”

Americans Against Escalation in Iraq has launched a new national television ad (video above) called “Draft” to denounce the Bush administration’s policy of endless war. With , the ad highlights an Iraq policy that is appallingly out of touch with American public opinion.

“New Mexicans won’t stand for a draft that would send even more men and women into a religious civil war,” warned Richardson. “If Sen. Domenici and Rep. Wilson truly want to ‘support’ our over-extended troops – they should bring them home.”

AAEI's "Iraq Summer" is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national "Take a Stand" day on August 28th, when Members of Congress will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

If you want to join millions of Americans and volunteer to bring a safe end to the war in New Mexico contact NewMexicoFD@iraqsummer.org. You can also order a yard sign by contacting NewMexicoFD@iraqsummer.org. We'll keep you up to date on all the events and activities happening in New Mexico.

CDA, AAEI, and Iraq Summer is a coalition including a wide range of political and nonprofit organizations that are working against our current policy in Iraq. Coalition organizations that are tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the IRC have not endorsed or sponsored this statement or the advertisement referred to therein, and no funds provided were used in producing or distributing this statement or the advertisement.