Setting the record straight on Iraq

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Please take just a few minutes to read this important message about where I stand on the war in Iraq. Then, please share your thoughts with me and our larger community by clicking on the links below.

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As you know, I ran for Congress to change the way Washington works and restore honesty, integrity and accountability to our federal government. Now that I am serving you in our nation's capital, fulfilling this promise means engaging in an open and ongoing dialogue with my constituents and supporters about the issues that concern all of us the most.

The war in Iraq is, of course, the most significant issue of our time.

A few weeks ago, I was honored to lead a bipartisan, all-freshman Congressional delegation to Iraq to gain a deeper understanding of the conflict. As I discovered, it's one thing to read about what's going on there. But it's quite another to witness it firsthand and experience it personally. 

I came away from this profound experience tremendously moved by the commitment of our brave men and women in uniform as well as the perseverance of the Iraqi people. Although I was proud to lead this delegation and personally meet with our troops, the trip was brief and limited to the locations picked by the military ahead of time.

For a grounded perspective on the war from those who are on the front lines, I urge you to read this critical first-hand account in the New York Times by a group of infantrymen just returning from serving in the 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq:

New York Times Op-Ed: "The War as We Saw It"

As the poignant and piercing words of these seven soldiers demonstrate, the unfortunate reality in Iraq is that -- while our troops have performed extremely well under very difficult conditions -- the Bush Administration's planning and execution of the war continues to be an abysmal failure.

Our women and men laying their lives on the line in Iraq have done everything we have asked of them. To honor their service, they deserve leaders who respect them enough to ask the tough questions, and -- when something isn't working -- not only acknowledge it, but fundamentally change course.

In September, Congress will be participating in perhaps the most critical discussion of this conflict since it began in 2003. My campaign web site has been receiving increasing amounts of email from concerned citizens curious about my stance on the war. So, as we approach this pivotal debate, I want to clearly and unequivocally express to you where I stand on the question of executing a responsible redeployment from Iraq:

I am firmly in favor of withdrawing troops on a timeline that includes both a definite start date and a definite end date ("date certain") and uses clearly-defined benchmarks. I am not in favor of an "open-ended" timeline for withdrawal, as some members of Congress have proposed recently.

As many foreign policy experts agree, setting a date certain for withdrawal is fundamental to forcing George W. Bush to bring our troops home from Iraq and ensuring the Iraqis step up and defend their own country. That's why -- even as I consider all proposals as a matter of due diligence -- I am standing strong on setting a definite redeployment end date (as an example, I recently voted for the "Responsible Redeployment from Iraq Act" to safely draw down our troops over the course of nine months).

As this national debate begins anew, I am counting on you to stand strong with me as well. The only way that we, together, can bring this unfortunate chapter in our history to a close is if we remain united and steadfast in our collective commitment.

Now that I've had the opportunity to frankly articulate where I stand on the war, I would appreciate it if you took just a few minutes to tell me what you think as well.

Please let me -- and our community -- know your thoughts by posting them here in the comments to this blog post:

http://weblog.jerrymcnerney.org/

If you would rather not post your thoughts publicly, you can send your comments privately to me here:

http://www.jerrymcnerney.org/contact.asp

As always, I am looking forward to hearing your heartfelt concerns for the future of our nation and the world. In the spirit of continuing our open dialogue, I will read your comments and will do my best to respond on our blog.

Thank you for your time and your support.

Comments

[Jeffrey Freed]

I strongly agree with a rapid redeployment with a date certain. However, the way to do this is to cut off any additional funding for the war. Anything else is just grandstanding.

[Pamela de Maigret]

Dear Jerry, Although I am not your constituent (I live in Los Angeles), I did work for your election by coming up to Stocton and knocking on doors to get out the vote. I thought you were right then, and I think you are right now -- particularly about this misguided war. We must get ALL our troops our of Iraq and Afghanistan, and we must close ALL of our bases there. Please keep up the good work! Thank You, Pamela de Maigret

[David Kessler]

Jerry,
I fully agree with your policy on withdrawing our troops from Iraq.
We need a definite drawdown and final date as to when most all troops will we out of there or all troops totally out of there depending on what makes sense to keep the stability.
Iraq leaders need to step up to the plate.

[Ralph Wood]

Great Jerry!
Now get it done BEFORE the crazy bastards attack Iran.
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[John Schaefer]

Your comments are right on, and I appreciate the reference to that excellent op-ed.

It wouldn't hurt us to recognize why it was that the Bush administration attacked Iraq: it was and is their oil. That's why we keep hearing about the oil law, which no patriotic Iraqi of any group could support. I believe that some US interests won't let us leave until Iraq passes a law that gives us control.

I think we're better off with the definite timetable you support, ASAP. We have other options to power our country than their oil.

[Yvonne Steffen]

I applaud your stand on Iraq. We must get OUT OF IRAQ as soon as possible. We had no business there in the first place, and we have only managed to cause thousands upon thousands of Iraqis to be killed and maimed, to destroy their country, and to make their life there untenable. Please vote with Dennis Kucinich, Barbara Lee, and others of this ilk on this matter.

[Helen Rose]

I support your position that the war is lost, our young people in uniform should be returned to home and safety as soon as possible.

[Edwin Herzog]

Dear Jerry,
I have just heard some startling statistics I would like you to consider:
3 million Iraqis have fled their country since the war started;
1 million have been killed as a result of this terrible war that we started against a country that did us no harm;
we have allowed only a little over 700 Iraqis to enter our country, while Syria, a so-called enemy of ours, has let in 1.5 million;
70% of Iraquis want us to leave immediately.

I cannot in good conscience support your position if it does not include an immediate pull out of troops, including the dismantling of American military bases, and a renegotiation of the oil contracts that gives too much to foreign oil companies. (see position about this issue from Iraqi oil workers trade union)
Give back Iraq to the Iraquis, help them rebuild their country that we have destroyed, support the troups by bringing them home.
Yours truly,
Edwin Herzog

[eereeves]

We need to get out of Iraq now, and finish the job we should have been doing in afghanistan, and find and finish bin Laden.

[Eugene Williams]

Getting the troops out of Iraq cannot come soon enough for me. I notice that once we enter a country we hardly ever leave. I do not support a South Korea occupation of Iraq and I do not want to pay for it or have my grandchildren pay for it. It took the British 20 years to get out of Iraq finally realizing the oil was not worth it. I believe the British lost 10,000 troops during the occupation. Losing one more US soldier is one too many.

[Neil Hudson]

Jerry,
I fully support your stance on Iraq. The intent of the Bush boys was to get their oil, so they built the biggest "embassy" in the world, and permanent military bases. But we need to scrap those 'plans' and get out.
How we can help to rebuild the infrastructure that we destroyed is a question only time will answer. But we have a big obligation to the Iraqis to help them rebuild.

[Chuck Walker Sr]

I agree with you wholeheartedly.

All you have to do is look back 30 years when we pulled out of Vietnam.

Congress must act decisively to force the President to bring our troops home.

I've said this to anyone who will listen: All Congress has to do is bring back the draft and we'd be out of Iraq within 6 months.

It's one thing to send faceless, nameless volunteers to fight a war; it's quite another when it's your son (or daughter if Congress included women in the draft).

Keep up the fight there on Capitol Hill.

I'm proud to know that I had a small part in helping you unseat Richard Pombo when everyone said it couldn't be done.

Chuck Walker Sr

p.s. The only reason our government is interested in the middle east is because of the oil reserves. Without its oil the middle east is just one big desert and not worth our time of day.

[Sanford D. Cook, LTC USA (Ret)]

Congress must decide, because the administration is too cowardly to step up to tough decisions.

You cannot decide based on the false argument that we will let down the troops if we don't win. We let them down if we continue to let them die for no national purpose.

We also cannot allow them to die waiting for the Iraqis to decide what they will do. We fail our troops if we do not make the tough decisions ourselves that are necessary to protect them.

The decision must be to bring them home ASAP. Open-ended "time lines" would be a cowardly avoidance of Congressional duty.

Bring them home on a date certain. Nine months is sufficient for a safe withdrawal.

[Marni Koopman]

While I agree with your stance on Iraq and fully support a responsible and timely redeployment of our troops, I disagree with your statement that "The war in Iraq is, of course, the most significant issue of our time."
Climate change is by far the most significant issue of our time and the impacts of climate change to future generations will dwarf this war. I am frustrated that such a misguided foreign policy has distracted our nation and the world from much more important and pressing issues and wasted valuable time and resources.
Please do all you can to bring our troops home safely and redirect the country's attention.
Thanks for your hard work.
Sincerely,
Marni Koopman, Ph.D. Biologist

[Jennifer Zilliac]

The Iraq war is such a complex problem with no good answers. I am not seeing the kind of thoughtful, public discussion that is required to come up with creative solutions. Current proposals are overly politicized. We must have more frank, open discussion before we try to settle on solutions.

[J Benner]

I still have your bumper sticker on my van here in Santa Barbara Co. We can stop the war by impeaching Bush and Cheney. I heard an excellent presentation by Rocky Anderson, Mayor of Salt Lake City. If you have not yet signed on for impeachment, talk to Rocky and get all the information you need to understand why impeachment is necessary.
Thanks!

[Craig Dunkerley]

I believe our troops are caught in the crossfire of a civil war which they cannot and shouldn't be expected to referee. I also believe our troop presence is acting as the principal irritant provoking Suni insurgents, and a huge recruiting tool for Al Quaeda. I think we need much more diplomacy, involving all relevant players in the region, and much less military presence.

[Steve Evangelou]

Congressman McNerney,

I applaud you for your insightful but balanced take on Iraq. We have no good options, but we must set a firm timeline to get our troops out.

In your remarks, you say "The war in Iraq is, of course, the most significant issue of our time." I would argue, however that an even bigger issue, which allowed this unjust war to take place in the first place, is the steady dismantling of our constitutional form of government.

I ask you and all Democratic and Republican members of Congress to reverse what Bush has done by working for the following:

- Restoring checks and balances using all necessary constitutional options, including impeachment.
- Blocking unconstitutional spying on Americans and restoring habeas corpus and all other rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
- Stopping the use of torture and secret prisons and enforcing the Geneva Conventions.
- Reclaiming Congress's constitutional right to declare war.
- Blocking the use of "signing statements" that allow the President to ignore our laws.

Thank you for listening.
Steve Evangelou

[Bruce Tichinin]

Dear Jerry:

Than you for your firm stand. I favor immediate withdrawal of all troops. We have become mired in a civil war that, unfortunately, we touched off under the near- demented "leadership" President Bush. The longer we stay the more we contribute to the senseless killing. The sooner we leave the sooner it will play out and eventually stop.

[Sean Sullivan]

We met at a Congresswoman Lee leadership Breakfast and I volunteered both here in Oakland as well as canvassing in Stockton and Manteca during the race. I was worried to see comments attributed to you praising the surge. I am very happy for the clarification and it reminds me to set up a monthly donation to your reelection campaign.

[Vincent Casalaina]

There are so many things that need to be accomplished in Washington today. There is none so vital as getting us out of the failed occupation of Iraq. Getting us out not only gives us a chance to rebuild our reputation as a country that believes in Freedom it also frees up literally billions of dollars that are vitally needed here at home to rebuild the infrastructure that the Republicans have let rot away for lack of funding.

Please keep up your strong opposition to the war, your strong support for getting us out soon and your support for progressive values across the board.

[C. Mark Rockwell]

I agree, Jerry, that a date certain withdrawl is vital to America and the Iraqis. Beyond the suffering of the people of Iraq, and the loss of Americans in the military, America is suffering huge opportunity loss. What we are prevented from doing is every bit as important as what we are doing. We're not: maintaining our infrastructure (bridges, roads, parks, wildlife areas, refuges, etc.); we're not addressing health care, education, port security, social security; we're not addressing global warming, and we are weakening environmental laws like the clean water act, clean air act, the endangered species act. We are destroying huge parts of Wyoming, Colorado and Montana with gas development. We cannot fund most of the federal programs because we are devoting too much to the war. It is way past time for change. Beyond all this, we have lost our leadership position in the world community. For too long we've had the attitude that everyone is out of step except us.

[Vaughn Anderson]

I agree with your position on ending our invasion and occupation of IRAQ.

What is your position on the invasion and occupation of our country by ILLEGAL ALIENS sneaking across our borders?

[Dianne England]

Dear Congressman,
Thank you for sticking to your guns on the war in Iraq. Keep doing all you can to get us out of this quagmire. War is not the answer to our continuing dependence on oil! I'm behind you all the way.

Dianne England

[Marilyn Altenbach]

Hi Jerry, I'm not one of your constituents, but I supported you financially in your '06 campaign. I can't believe you've only gotten 10 comments on your Iraq position. Why should we keep our troops in harm's way and our resources committed to an occupation that can't have optomistic results? We have many problems in this country and on the global scale. We can't afford to back an occupation that drains our treasury and eliminates our ability to solve other, more pressing, world and United States issues.

Sincerely, Marilyn

[Ted Plant]

Your position on troop withdrawal
is commendable and I urge you to do everything possible to implement it.
Of course this administration has
botched the war BUT most of your colleagues never mention that the primary reason we should pull out is that we had no right or justification for starting this.

[Laura Deal]

Thanks for all the hard work and thought you put into representing us in DC. I am so proud of what you are doing. Whenever I hear some cynic try and justify inaction in politics by saying "They are all the same" I speak up and say, "That's not true. I personally know one good honest man in Congress"

Thank you for being that man.

[Dianna Stern]

Your position on Iraq is admirable. I respect the courageous stance you have taken and the leadership you demonstrated in taking the Freshman Congresspersons to Iraq. However, I would like to emphasize the importance of our ending the American Occupation of Iraq now! I share the points already made by Edwin Herzog. Leaving Iraq must include (1) closing down all military bases and facilities, (2)re-negotiating all oil contracts, (3) placing responsibility into the hands of the Iraqis, their neighbors and the International community, and, (4) offering vast aid to rebuild the country and institutions torn apart by the pre-emptive invasion of American and British forces in 2003.

[Brian Leubitz]

Great stuff Jerry. Let's get a date that can't be ignored by this administration.

[Robert J. McGarvey]

There are debates, arguments, disagreements, etc. about whether our troops should be in Afghanistan or Iraq, and that will continue for years to come. The only two items that both sides of the discussion agree upon is that our troops are in fact there, and that everyone in the U.S. military volunteered to join the service. No one was drafted.

The ‘right’ thing to do or the ‘politically correct’ thing to do seems to be to open your mouth and say “I support our troops”. The focus is on the “I”. The television news media, talk show hosts (both radio and television), magazines, newspapers, etc., and ALL political parties, agree that that is the ‘right’ thing to do. Then in their next breath, they focus on what someone in the military is accused of, rape, or killing someone in the war, etc; or state that another soldier was wounded or killed and add them to the wars’ statistics. The most affective piece of (propaganda) news that was given to the terrorists was the picture of a woman in the military uniform of the United States in a prison in Iraq embarrassing the male prisoners. Knowing how little the terrorists think of women, how many suicide bombers were requited, or explosives purchased, or weapons sent into the war zones when the terrorists used that picture as a broad brush across the face of every U.S. Soldier? That picture was broadcast thousands of times across our country and around the world; and yet after doing that, the same people came out again with “I support our Troops”. If the reporter, writer, talk show host, or anchor says “I support our Troops” five hundred times or a thousand times does that make it true?

All political parties, their elected officials, and Presidential candidates sing the same song. They say nothing about how they actually support the Troops. Do you, the United States News Media as a whole or as individuals have the guts to change? Instead of talking at the people about our troops and only congratulating the troops if they come home alive, why not congratulate the troops about the goals they reached and the accomplishments they made while in Afghanistan and Iraq! For many, helping the people in other countries and protecting our freedoms were personal goals and some of the reasons they joined the service.

Look at the results of war on our troops when they come home. They only find negatives in the news. If, on your regular job at home for example, the only time you hear from other people (or your boss) is when you do something wrong and never hear when you do the job well, your morale and self esteem will be very low. That is one of the problems our men and women in uniform have when they come home. They will never forget what they have seen of war, but they will also never forget how they saved a comrades life or a child’s life, and that they made real positive differences in the lives of the men, women, and children in Iraq and Afghanistan. Unfortunately, only the troops, their families and friends, and the people who live in Afghanistan and Iraq know of the many things our Troops did that improved their quality of life. The news media only keeps to the same drum beat it has broadcast across the country and around the world for years, and that is death and destruction. Telling a story, but only telling half of the story, is not telling the story; or the truth.

Our sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, and our friends in uniform have built roads and have given vaccinations to children who never had them before; our Medics use their skills helping our troops after a terrorist sets off a bomb, and then they go on to help the men, women, and children who were also injured. The people in the U.S. see and hear what the terrorists do to the citizens and the country every day, and are only shown Iraq and Afghanistan as ugly countries. Why won’t the news media or a talk show host show/talk about the good accomplishments of our troops once a week, every week, at the same time on national television or radio? The families and friends of those troops could find out and share with the rest of the country and the world the positive things ‘their’ soldier has done. There is time to show how, where, and when the soldier was killed, but not enough time to find out what that same soldier believed and believed in. I would ask for equal time with the blood and violence, but for now, sharing positive events once a week would be a good start.

The men and women in the United States military not only protect us and our freedoms, but are also our ambassadors around the world. When today’s soldiers were children we taught them what was right and what was wrong. No group or organization can be perfect, and the few who have erred should not be allowed to overshadow the positive actions of tens of thousands who make us proud every day.

The keynote speaker at the Memorial Day Celebration, May 28, 2007, at Mather was LTC Greg Lautner. He was in Iraq for thirteen months as the Chief of Intelligence Plans, and was able to highlight some of the things that the ‘news’ doesn’t show. He talked about the schools, water plants, power plants (demand for electricity has doubled since 2003) built or re-built, and also spoke of the renovation of fifteen hospitals that see approximately 500 patients per day, and how more Iraqis own cars, cell phones, etc. than ever before. LTC Lautner said; “At this very moment, a Soldier is risking his life for us while on patrol in the mountains of Afghanistan, and another Soldier is shoving aside homesickness while she tends to the needs of a wounded comrade in a Combat Support Hospital in Baghdad. They do this for us; they do this for their country; they do this because, like millions before them, they have answered a call to duty”.

Robert J. McGarvey
Rancho Cordova City Councilman
U.S. Air Force Veteran

[Jim McDonald]

Congressman McNerney:

I applaude your efforts and agree with you 100% that dates certain for beginning and ending the withdrawal are the ONLY way the Iraqis will step up and take responsibility for restoring order in their country. I am not a constituent of yours but I contributed to your campaign.

Best regards,

Jim McDonald
Portland, Oregon

[Marty Mathis]

I spent many hundreds of hours working on your election campaign, in Morgan Hill and Pleasaton.

My opinion of the Iraq was is:

Bring all the troops home now, fast and completely. No permanant US military bases in Iraq.

Congressman Mcnerney, please stand strong, we sent you to washington to END THE WAR, please fight like hell to get your fellow representatives to force the Bush admin. to reverse course for the sake of our National security. Thanks

[Brian Mundy]

I'm encouraged to hear your strong reaffirmation to change strategy in Iraq. Your leadership in this area is desperately needed so that others may fully understand the judgement you have made and what influenced your decision to fight for strategy change in Iraq.

[Jim Walsh]

If you have not read “Rebuilding Americas Defenses” please do so ASAP. If you wish to devalue this text as irrelevant, see how the language and approach to foreign policy migrates into official documents of our military in the “National Security Strategy of 2002” and Joint Vision 2020. It is a difficult but necessary read. If you don’t believe that the Neo-con goal is to “take over the world” please explain an alternative meaning of American hegemony and Full Spectrum Dominance. Read http://www.thenation.com/blogs/notion?pid=225033 to understand the results to this folly. The most pressing issue that we face today is the impending collapse of our economic system (the Iraq war is propping this up) and the total lack of a social support system.
We are now a totalitarian capitalist country.

[Bill Zimmerman]

Keep it up!

[Cynthia Leeder]

Although I am not in your district, I donated money to your campaign. I view the Iraq war as an obscenity, an illegal, immoral, bait and switch war based on lies. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 and the only reason we are there is to control and steal their oil. If they only had asparagus, Bush would not have sunk us there.

And as of over a year ago we have killed directly or indirectly through starting this war upwards of 655,000 Iraq's (probably a million people by now) who never did anything to us. And the only thing our brave soldiers are dying for is corporate profit.

We owe the Iraqi people for the hell we have caused them but our continuing occupation is not helping and we can’t help them with our continuing presence even with new leaders and new policies. It’s too late for that. What Iraq needs now is their own Nelson Mandela and their own truth and reconciliation. They need their own political solution. The Iraqi people want us out. Get us out completely. Leave no permanent bases. End this stinking war now and get us out and give Iraq back to Iraq! And impeach Bush for this crime!

[jim harrold]

Congressman McNerney: In the Washington Post story they implied that you have softened your stance on a timetable to exit Iraq. They quoted you saying that you are more open to sticking it out.. I am glad you disabused us of that notion with your clarification here. Please stand tough in September against the forces that would keep us in Iraq for the average insurgency length of 36 years. And if Bush vetos a timetable funding bill.. be tough enough to de-fund this debacle. thanks.

[Ann Pfaff-Doss]

Dear Jerry,

I was so relieved to read your re-dedication to establishing a definite timeline for brining home our troops from the middle of the Iraqi civil war. We have begun to see some waffling among the current presidential candidates, so it is heartening to have a representative who not only sticks by his beliefs and hasn't forgotten the message sent to the Federal Government by the voters last November.

Keep up the good work.

[Charles Shaw]

Jerry,
As one of your constituents, I thank you for ending my embarrassment at being represented by Pombo!

I agree fully with the positions you are taking.

The only way that Bush has been able to carry out his disasterous policies is that we haven't had a draft. He creating an army with coerced National Guard callups and by outsourcing military functions to corporations like Halliburton. Had we had a draft, as we did in the Vietnam era, he'd have been impeached long ago.

America's current "prosperity" is the result of selling America to China and other countries, to whom we now owe over a trillion dollars. Any family can look prosperous if it borrows heavily and isn't paying it back. Bush has financed this war on the backs of our children, who will have to pay off the debt, probably by run-away inflation.

Push Congress to pass a "war-tax", increasing heavily the top tax brackets. Bush's rich donors would desert him in droves.

Charles Shaw
Pleasanton

[Jan Charvat]

Dear Jerry,
I live in San Diego but helped your election in a modest way by making phone calls. I fully support your positions, incl. the one on ending this awful war. If there ever was a chance of accomplishing something positive in Iraq, that opportunity has passed and now we are reduced to cutting our losses. I believe the only reason G. Bush does not withdraw from Iraq is that (1) he refuses ever to admit he made a mistake and (2) he wants the next president to take full blame for the Iraq war when it will become impossible to deny that the war was a failure. Please keep pushing ahead with a "certain date" withdrawal to get us out of an unwinnable situation.
Sincerely,
Jan Charvat
San Diego

[Rebecca Spindler]

I strongly agree with you that we must act now to begin the withdrawal of all troops in Iraq, and I would ask that you be sure they are not simply redeployed for an action against Iran. Thank you for your honesty and all that you have done to represent the people who elected you.

[Robert Patt-Corner]

Dear Jerry:

I'm one of your contributors that was very concerned and wrote you regarding what seemed at the time to be a reversal on your support for a complete and rapid withdrawal.

Your statement is a relief and I appreciate the clarity.

I'd also like to support the many other voices urging no further war in Iran and immediate defunding of all operations other than safe and orderly troop withdrawal.

R.

[meg Beeler]

Dear Jerry,

As of today, August 21, 3707 American soldiers have died in Iraq. At least 99 American soldiers killed themselves last year, the US army's highest suicide rate in 26 years. 300,000 Iraqis are in camps or shantytowns. None of our promises of better infrastructure have been fulfilled. Et cetera.

What I am concerned about is the "benchmarks" Dems have been talking up as a condition of troop withdrawal.

Those benchmarks require the Iraqi goverment to give up oil profits to foreign companies. They support the suppression of collective bargaining (already outlawed by US pressure.) They probably do a lot of other awful things I don't know about. But THESE TWO ISSUES ALONE ARE ENOUGH TO NECESSITATE A SHIFTING OF YOUR IRAQ STANCE. [see Full reference: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/08/19/IN69RI00G.DTL]

I implore you to do everything you humanly can to garner the votes to set firm withdrawal dates, and give up the illusion that the US can continue to control resources and people in a country we have helped destroy.

NO on any more funding to continue these wars
NO to benchmarks that implement the oil agreements
YES to bring ALL the troops & military contractors home, close all the bases and restore these nations to their peoples.

As you know, I’ll continue contacting you every week until all our soldiers are home; our foreign policy shifts to one of cooperation and peaceful solutions; we address the root causes of global warming (our overuse of resources and disregard for the earth itself); and Congress recreates a balance of power.
.
Sincerely,
Meg Beeler

[Martha Maddy]

Let us withdraw our troops from Iraq and make sure we make no more preemptive strikes against another country in this world. Let us then spend our time ferreting out the corruption of this administration with regard to our habeas corpus rights, right of privacy (our government spying on us); the problem of healthcare for all, and fiscal responsibility to name A FEW need our attention We need our government to be open to its citizens, above all. None of this could happen with a watchful eye on this administration's business by other branches of the government.

[Lee Miller]

I appreciate your efforts and hope that the Democrats can make more progress in getting us out of the Iraq morass before we go bankrupt. Thanks to the incompetence of the GOP there are no good outcomes in Iraq. We have ruined their country in a quest to control their oil. Please also oppose any Administration confrontation with Iran. This would be the ultimate folly. One way to do this is to impeach Bush and Cheney.

[Tim Buchanan]

Dear Jerry, I came to hear you that very rainy night in Stockton. Actually I came to see and hear Bill, but you were the point of eventual interest. I came away with the same realization, that both Republicans and Democrats are fundamentally hawks and both play the patriotic card constantly as a means of gaining office without reflection or regard for our fellow human beings. How sad that we must even be having this conversation. But I do agree that our only recourse is to pull out bring our troops home and deal with our violent nature, and our greed before we self- destruct.

[Ralph Occhipinti]

Jerry, please think back. Late last year, our President called, al-Maliki "the right guy for Iraq."

In truth he was simply the third and latest right guy for Iraq that the administration supported. However, we, all of us in District 11 and the American people, must ask, "Where are al-Maliki's results?" Purple fingers did not dull Iraq's long simmering culture of religious conflict or the sectarian scores that they, the people of Iraq want to settle. In fact, scores they must settle to achieve any meaningful progress.

So rather than set an arbitrary future date for withdrawal of our troops, redeploy all combat forces this year, starting now. Our goal must be to get our troops safe and out of range of their killing. Our military is not capable of solving Iraq's internal political and religious conflicts. Our State Department understands this and is not involved. This war has gone on long enough.

As a result , al-Maliki, or what ever Iraqi leader emerges, will take hold of power by whatever means that produces results. The Iraqi's will eventually grow weary of killing each other.

As for what comes in the aftermath? We work with the fourth or next "right guy" for Iraq but only when Iraq is at equilibrium. Remember, Saddam used to be on our side.

Thank you for your service, please decide the best and fastest way to get our troops out of Iraq.

[Mark Spindler]

Sir;
I fully support your efforts to set an immediate, non-negotiable withdrawl of our military. Your efforts may be infinitely more effective if you also pursued and supported the current impeachment resolutions sponsored by many of your peers. Based on the bush regime's failure to follow the rule of law, impeachment is the more pressing problem. We can no longer ignore that the immediate removal of these war criminals from the offices which they now occupy must be done to preserve what is left of our democratic process. Impeachment! We must act now in a decisive manner to accomplish this or history will view all of us as complicit in the Neocon vision of world dominance. Anyone who thinks these people are going to go quietly is sadly mistaken.

[Brian Lawson]

Your position as stated above is not good enough. You do not state who you will support in the House of Representatives -- Nancy Pelosi or John Boehner? Until you repudiate your vote of 5/10/07 on HR 2237 (your vote against a deadline) I can't help but assume that when push comes to shove you'll stand with Boehner -- and that is wrong. I did not contribute to you so you would get elected and then support the Republican leadership on the most important issue of our day.

I want a clear statement from you that you will support the members of the Democratic Party who are working to bring about a meaningful withdrawal. Will you be there when the Democratic leadership needs your support? That is what you need to say. Say, "I support the Democratic leadership on this important issue and will not be part of a false show of bipartisanship that in fact supports Bush's desire to continue the war over the majority Democratic party position to get out of Iraq now."

Will you work to bring Republicans and conservative Democrats over to the position of ending the war now or will you drag Democrats over to the Republican position?

Don't just quote those brave soldiers who wrote in the NYT editorial -- which bill will you support to get them out alive?

Make it clear you oppose George Bush and those who got us into war and support those who are working to get us out. One member of Congress cannot do that much -- who are you are going to support in Congress when you have to vote? Last time you voted with John Boehner and against Nancy Pelosi. Who will you vote with in September?

That is what I want to know and your current statement doesn't answer that question.

[Roland and Gloria Finston]

Thanks for your position letter,
I hope that when Bush vetoes the extension with the timelines specified that the Democratic leadership will hang tough this time and not send him a bill that caves in, like the last time. Just keep sending back the same bill, or better yet no more funding bills at all for the Iraq war.
Anything short of that is a capitulation to Bush and a double-cross of constituents who elected the Democrats to a majority in both houses in '06. I will not vote for or finanically support the Party's candidates in '08 if it doesn't stop funding the war now.
Roland Finston, Palo Alto

[Jim Hannon]

Dear Jerry,

Keep up the great work! I strongly support your stance on Iraq. Iraq is such a quagmire that we need hard dates for withdrawal or we could be there forever.

Not only does this prolonged occupation continue to put our brave men and women repeatedly in harm's way, the incredible expense keeps us from investing in critical social programs. Hopefully, some of the "savings" from withdrawal can be used to address global warming, health care, education, poverty reduction, and more.

I'm glad you are taking such a leadership role on Iraq as well as your continued efforts to help reverse global warming. Can you tackle affordable health care for all Americans next?

You're the best!

[Janice Gulley Blumenkrantz]

Hi Jerry,
Thank you, I, and many others, agree with your position. In order to help it bear fruit, here is a link to MoveOn's Report Release which I helped orchestrate here in Berkeley. Go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLxCLxR_Q80
to watch Professor George Lakoff's speech, for powerful Constitutional budget ideas on how to bring the troops home. If you want to see Mayor Bates, Assemblywoman Hancock, put in youtube's search box,
MoveOn Report Release Berkeley.

More power to you and all my best,
Janice Gulley Blumenkrantz

[Sturgio]

Aloha--
I am relieved to know that you are keeping your word. Thank you for pressing for withdrawal. I believe that we will dampen terrorist recruitment by getting out of Iraq.

Also, please support impeachment hearings on Alberto Gonzales. His behavior defies the Constitution that both you and he have sworn to uphold. Please don't let him besmirch that oath. Anne Sturgis

[Richard Vaznaugh]

Good deadlines. Keep your milque toast colleagues from giving us even a month of more deaths. Work diplomatically to stabilize the situation.

[Ben Vaessen]

As of the year 2006, the number of Americans knowing that the war was based on lies grew into a majority, according to many mainstream polls. A solid majority know we were lied into war, and only about a third still believe Bush. Besides that, Bush as repeatedly violated the FISA laws, which is a law that protects our rights in the Bill of Rights.

How does this relate to Iraq, and what to do now? Bush and Cheney have done plenty for you to persue an Impeachment and conviction, and therefore remove them from office. Whoever gets elevated to President, after the 2 vacancies, would either be Nancy Pelosi, or someone needing the approval of both the Dem-controlled House and Senate (if Cheney left first, and Bush appointed a new VP before Bush himself was forced out). Either way, Democrats could get someone in the WH sooner than January 2009, and that person could end the war.

I voted in a midterm election for the first time in 2006. I am an independent minded person. But not only did I vote, I worked my ass off for DEMOCRATS (phone banking, door-to-door, volunteering on election day, donating $$$, etc)

The reason I worked so hard for Democrats, is that all the Democrats that I knew were as pissed off as I was that we were taken to war, based on pure lies. I thought that a Democratically-controlled House and/or Senate would actually DO something about it.

I am totally flabbergasted and without words to properly express how frustrated and perplexed I am that the Democrats in Congress don't seem to care that Bush lied to start a war that undermines our national security, will cost 1 or 2 trillion dollars, but most importantly, almost 4,000 American soldiers are dead because Bush lied.

There is tons of evidence, and just plain common sense tells you Bush lied. There were the Downing Street Memo that spelled it out in plain English, the memos that were leaked from Tony Blair's cabinet. There have been NUMEROUS whistle blowers, including Colin Powell's Chief of Staff, Colonel Lawrence Wilkerson, who now says that Impeachment investigations need to start, to address the High Crimes committed in the White House. Col. Wilkerson is the Bush Admin. Republican who prepared Powell's speech to the UN just shortly before going to war. He's come out and said the war was based on lies, and I distincly recall that the response from Democrats was nothing at all, as if it didn't happen.

The Democrats in Congress need to act, and they need to do it now. Not only to hold Bush accountable for lying to start a war and violating the Constitution, but to preserve the Constitution for all Americans in the future. Your only oath is to protect the Constitution. Whatever "stuff" you think you are going to "get done" is moot when compared to saving the Constitution.

Sadly, I think my young son is going to grow up in a country where Presidents can lie to start wars, and even when most people know, and even when the "opposition" party knows and is in control of the House and Senate, the President will get away with it.

Bush lied to start a war, and elected Democrats are chosing to let him off the hook, without even the beginning of a fight about it, or even explaining why our soldiers lives are not worth fighting for.

Please take action to Impeach and convict Bush to save the Constitution in the future, and to help get us out of Iraq now.

[Victoria]

Thank you, Congressman, for showing the courage to stand up to the President and end his tragically failed policy in Iraq. I hope you'll vote for cutting off war funding if other measures do not force the President to do the right thing.

Quick favor: Would you mind swinging over to the Senate and trying to get my Senator Norm "life-like" Coleman on board with your plan?

[Capt. Bob Morris, Jackson Hole, WY]

Our departure may well be followed by chaos and regional war. But the longer we stay, the worse it'll be, and the more despised we'll become.

Will the Kurds want us to leave a few battalions in their
territory? So be it.

And let's recognize Palestine immediately and de-fund the West Bank Settlements.

[Don Sturmer]

Your position is both inconsistent and irresponsible--as, unfortunately, are the comments of many of your constituents. Those who refer to the last days of VietNam obviously were not there. The lack of support from the Congress to the efforts there--and the insistence that we simply pull out--cost many lives and made the withdrawal all that much more difficult. Your views are flying in the face of recent successes and orerliness to the effort in Iraq. Your constant blame of President Bush and the current administration for the difficulties there--and your innuendoes that your own tour was carefully orchestrated are so darned partisan as to be ludicrous. Get a clue, sir, and do the right thing instead of politicizing everything that hapens in this country--and turn your attention to the more important long-term issues of energy solutions (not, God forbid, unrelentling dependence on solar and wind as the only sensible alternatives--they are not!!), immigration and control of illiegal entrants to our country--as well as disposition of those who are already here illegally--fiscal sensibility and responsibility, especially at the government levels,and the health care/social security morass.

[Tucker Krauth]

Congressman, please contact US News and World Report and ask them to issue a retraction immediately. They claimed you said that you're against an Iraq withdrawal timetable!

Please, this kind of language in the mainstream media is very damaging to our chances of finally getting some real change in September. You need to get them to correct their misleading article. And PLEASE - work on "message control".. we're going to have to fight hard together, presenting a unified front, to get anywhere in September.

THANK YOU
Tucker Krauth

[John]

The Iraq Occupation ( "war" is a Republican framing of the issue ) has not been mismanaged, it has been UNMANAGED. The administration threw money at private contractors with no schedule or budget. What other outcome could we have expected? Their judgement is fatally clouded by their blind faith in the free market. If these are the only strings we're given to affect the outcome, then we must be prepared to pull them.

[Ozzie Maland]

I reside in San Diego, having moved there from Chicago 17 years ago. I've always voted for one of the major party candidates in my 48 years of voting, but in Nov '08 I may vote for a third party presidential candidate for the first time. In '68 I voted for Nixon because he said he had a plan to end the Vietnam war. Hubert didn't dissociate himself from the war hawks sufficiently. This year, the Dem frontrunners are again not dissociating sufficiently from the war hawks, so I'm thinking a protest vote for a third party candidate (hopefully Dennis Kucinich) will be the only sensible thing to do.

Aloha ~~~ Ozzie Maland ~~~ San Diego

[Doug Ingoldsby]

"I came away from this profound experience tremendously moved by the commitment of our brave men and women in uniform ..."

Please then follow through by having the COMMITMENT to bring thm home as soon as possible.

Also, please see that Bush & Cheney do NOT attack IRAN!

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1654188,00.html

Please watch this video: http://lucasgray.com/video/peacetrain.html

thanks.

[Paul Konrath]

Congressman McNerney: This war was a mistake from the get-go. It is now a terrible morass depleting not only our finest and bravest men and women, but our national treasury as well. It has to stop if we as a country are to survive. All of the rhetoric from the White House is just so much garbage. They are completely out of touch with reality (as if they were ever in touch). Our commitment has to end. I don't know if your way is the best, but I think that right now it is the only workable one. We have to try something as Bush has definitely put us between the proverbial rock and hard place. You have my support on this!

[Carl Olson]

I'm with you, Jerry. The only solution in Iraq at this juncture is a political one reached through negotiation. Our continued occupation is only adding friction and delaying this outcome. We must cut all funding except that needed to insure safe withdrawal.

[anne spanier]

I favor a rapid withdrawal of troops. Six months would work for me if General Wesley Clark thinks that would do. I also think the case should be made to the country by the Democratic leadership ASAP. I agree with most of the statements above and do not think that after 4 years of blundering we can continue on this way, holding out hope that the "light is at the end of the tunnel" ala Vietnam. The Democrats can begin to defund all of the unnecessary weapons programs on Sept 16th for starters and then tell Mr. bush the money for Iraq is running out.

[Gene Barry]

I applaud your stance on the Iraq war and understand our country's need to get out of the horrible and mis-guided mess that our President has gotten us into. The Congress needs to quit funding this illegal occupation and stand up to the Bush administration's failed policies. I also want to congradulate you on voting against the recent FISA legislation. Although this horrible bill passed with the help of mostly Blue-Dog Democrats voting for it, I was proud to be represented by a Congressman who didn't bow down to the Bush administration's "scare tactics". This law needs to be repealled in 6 months when it expires and replaced by one that doesn't place the responsiblity of oversight in the hands of Alberto Gonzoles and allows Bush & Co. to illegally wire tap anyone who goes against his policies.

[Jane Fish]

Hi Jerry, thank you for all you are doing. My husband and I agree with you, it is past time to get our troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan.

Our middle son is almost at the end of his 15 month, second tour in Iraq. He is 22, and told me he feels like he's 29. He has a fiance waiting for him, and has been accepted at a state college. His two brothers and we, his parents, are all here, waiting...the toll on family is not understood by anyone unless they themselves have a loved one on tour. The toll on our service members is great, and again, unless you know someone who fills you in on what exactly is going on, you have no idea of what this war exacts on its troops. The price is high, and in my opinion, too high. My faith in our government is cynical, as the evidence of why this current administration wants us there unfolds...

Please, Jerry, continue to do what you can to bring our troops home. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for that.

[Gene Payne]

Tucker Krauth is absolutely correct. Power lies in the language of creating accurate distinctions. What is taking place in Iraq is a bungled occupation which has sparked an insurgency which has driven the country into a low-intensity civil war. This ain't no war!!

I wrote checks to you last year because I believed your background was based upon accurate observation and objective inferences. Don't disappoint us by using the mushmouth cant of the GOPers.

[Lois Robin]

Ending the war is simple. Provide no more funds.
There is enough money available to bring the troops home.
Why were funds voted for this war?
I cannot understand this folly.
If we want to end it, don't fund it.

[Terrence A. Beard]

I am another person who does not live in your district, but my family has contributed to your last campaign, and we walked precincts to support your election. I am glad to hear that the mainstream media reports were overblown, and that you are not supporting the most recent escalation.

I am for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. In that it only took the US three weeks to fight their way into the country, I don't see why it would take any longer to end the occupation. All that is needed is the order to pack up and leave.

As for the complaints that we can't leave now, because we have dumped so much into the new embassy, etc. - nonsense. Give the embassy back to the Iraqis, take a note for the cost secured against future oil sales, AND LEAVE.

Then focus on the impeachment of Bush and Cheney for getting the country into this mess in the first place.

[Peter]

Jerry, Thanks for the email and the updates. I am very much behind you. We need to shift our focus in Iraq. The military will not get us out of this problem. We need to dramatically increase diplomatic tactics and bring most of our military home. We need a timetable and a plan. It's obvious that the President is leading us down a path that is full of death and killing. Stay strong, we're behind you!

[Fred Norman]

Dear Congressman McNerney: You mention yet another dialog on the War, the most important so far. I hear talk-talk-talk. And as you talk, the carnage continues. We do not need more talk; we need action: We need to end the War NOW. I will not vote for a candidate who does not favor the immediate withdrawal of American Troops.

Also, we need impeachment. I will not vote for a candidate who does not try to impeach the war criminals in Washington. They're laughing at you. They know they can get away with murder as long as you talk and do nothing.

[Terrence A. Beard]

I am another person who does not live in your district, but my family has contributed to your last campaign, and we walked precincts to support your election. I am glad to hear that the mainstream media reports were overblown, and that you are not supporting the most recent escalation.

I am for an immediate withdrawal from Iraq. In that it only took the US three weeks to fight their way into the country, I don't see why it would take any longer to end the occupation. All that is needed is the order to pack up and leave.

As for the complaints that we can't leave now, because we have dumped so much into the new embassy, etc. - nonsense. Give the embassy back to the Iraqis, take a note for the cost secured against future oil sales, AND LEAVE.

Then focus on the impeachment of Bush and Cheney for getting the country into this mess in the first place.

[mike engel]

I appreciate the hard work and careful consideration that congressman McNerney is giving to the issues THAT HE AND THE REST OF THE DEMOCRATIC NEW MAJORITY ran on in the 2006 elections. I, too, think that the people who are in our armed forces are good people doing a hard job. I DO NOT think that there should be some kind of phased withdrawal from the conflict and chaos we have caused in the Middle East. I think we should get out completely ASAP. I will vote for leaders who say they will do this.
WE have no business other than the OIL business to be there. It's their oil. They will have to fight it out.

[Steven Jardine]

Hi
We talked on Monday at B/N about this very subject. Thank You for releasing this statement in timely fashion. See you again in the future.

[Vicki Madrid]

I have sent a couple of emails about this to you. The last one I sent was to thank you for voting no on the last Iraq occupation fund approval. I am 100% behind you! Some Democrats seem to worry that if they do what the people want them to do (end the occupation of Iraq), that they won't vote for them. I don't believe that would happen. If Democrats start standing up to Bush and his illegal operations, the people will be glad that at last someone is listening to them. Losing so many lives is not worth this travesty wrought upon us by Bush, but equally heineous is our tax dollars being flushed down the toilet when we need it so much here. Thank you again for your service. I knew when we elected you that I would be very happy with my Congressman.

Vicki Madrid

[Kerry Ridgway]

I am definitely in favor of set dates. I will wait to see what you are proposing for dates before further comment

[CalGal]

Dear Jerry

I have sent several emails to you expressing my opinion that it is time to end the occupation of Iraq. I recently sent you and email thanking you for voting no on the last funding bill. I was very glad to have donated to your election fund and very happy when you won. I know that you and I are on the same page regarding the occupation of Iraq, and other things. It seems some Democrats are afraid if they stand up to the Bush machine that they will lose their next election. I don't think so! I think if they don't do something about it, then they might not get reelected. The election in 2006 was an expression of the people's dissatisfaction with Bush and his policies. Unfortunately we did not get a big enough majority in the Senate and thought they keep saying it's a Democratic majority, we all know that it's not. Still, Democrats need to persevere and hold the Bush administration held accountable for his assault on the Constitution of the United States of America! If we don't, who knows what the next President will do. So, I fully support your fight and you have my highest regards.

[Brian L. Sanborn]

I am an Annapolis grad and spent seven years active duty as a Naval Aviator. The same dynamics present in any huge bureaucracy are present in todays military. You get ahead by telling your boss what he wants to hear. Only a large shove from outside will change the momentum that is present. Please help Jerry give them that shove!

[Frances Burke]

We must get out of Irag as fast as we can 9 months to get us all the way out is reasonable I agree with you Americans and Iraqies will not stand for draging our feet
I am concerned that both Democrates and Republicans want to have a permenent force in the region hence our many established bases and our Vatican sized Embassy. Our presence will fuel continued hatred and violence. We will continue to be a constantly festering thorn until we leave.

[Susan Harvey]

It's time to by-pass Bush and his cronies and get us out of Iraq. We are caught in a civil war between parties who have been fighting each other for a long time. We must get out now; enough American and Iraqi lives have been ruined and lost.

[Joyce McCallister, Stockton]

Dear Jerry, Many thanks for being our Congressman. You've stepped up to the difficulties of the job with intelligence and sincerity.

I fully support your ideas for withdrawing troops from Iraq. I have dear friends who lost their son to an IED there, and I wouldn't wish their agony on my worst enemy. We can't stop the killing, but we can and must stop Americans from being killed and maimed.

We must make the hard decision to withdraw our soldiers, sailors and Marines from Iraq, a country we had no business invading in the first place. I like your idea of a timeline, and a final date to turn out the American lights. Iraqis will no doubt continue the war, as they have for millenia. We lit this fire, we do not have the means nor the will to put it out. Those who live in the region must deal with the U.S.'s big mistake. We'll have to leave them to it.

[Emilie Hance]

Thank you for your firm stand. Every time I hear about your activities, I am more impressed by your service as our congressman. I agree that we must get our troops out of Iraq. My only concern is for the safety of these brave service men and women.

Sincerely,

Emilie Hance

[Cynthia Neely]

It is so refreshing to have a congressman who is willing to take a stand on difficult issues and ask for input from constituents.

Our hope is that other members of Congress are willing to take on the Bush administration and its incompetence in handling the Iraq quagmire.

Those who say "leave Iraq to the experts" forget that those "experts" have perpetuated the loss of American lives, treasure and reputation in the world.

How many more lives must be sacrificed to satisfy President Bush's ego?

[Michael]

It is too easy for the public to armchair-quarterback this very difficult situation in Iraq. Many of us are so eager to bring an end to this national nightmare and, frankly, I don't know the best solution. I believe Jerry when he says that he believes we cannot remain in that country indefinitely, and supports a careful redeployment.

I started volunteering for the McNerney campaign in early 2005, because I met Jerry and was impressed that he is an honest man with the character to follow the right course on Iraq. I still support Jerry. He is working hard to clean up this house of horrors created by Bush, let's trust his judgement.

[Karenna]

I agree most strongly with E Herzog below in your blog.

I have watched with sadness for all those involved in this war, all the suffering, violence, death and tragedy, all those duped by our government officials, all the money thrown into the violations of decent human existence, and all the underlying atrocities, horrors, and constitutional crimes that continue to surface while Congress sits there on its hands.

Thank you for voting no on the FISA bill lately, and please keep your promises about standing up for a swift end to the IRaq War.

And one more thing. Please tell your colleague Nancy that, as an elected representative of the people who has taken an oath to uphold the constitution, she cannot blindly and blanketly take impeachment off the table. It is our key constitutional protection, and we are entitled to it as citizens and as a nation; and it is not her right to take off the table if and when the constitution is being obliterated as it is now.

[Anne Jones]

I agree with you 100 percent. We had no business going in there in the first place, as Dick Cheney so eloquently acknowledged back in 1994, and it is pure idiocy to think it will ever be anything less than a bloody quagmire in which our national treasure - our young men and women - are being slaughtered and wounded to satisfy a President's ego. We must have fixed dates to start and end troop and materiel withdrawal.

[Ned Hartley]

Jerry:
To paraphase Kieth Oberman, our options in Iraq are limited to to worse, worser, and worst. We have broken our military and must leave sooner not later. Our leaving will concentrate the blood bath going on now. The current power vacuum will be filled by a politically savy strongman with largest militia, probably al-Sadr. Sadly, these inevitabilities were brought about by the decisions or omissions previously made by this administration.
Adm. Fallon testified before the Senate that contingency plans for withdrawal from Iraq did not exist. That planning must begin now and include replacing the current Iraqi government. Yes, that is a worse option but not the worser or worst option. The worser option is thinking we can simply leave, as we went in, without planning or consideration for the consequences of our actions. The worst option is staying. By doing so we disipate ourselves just as the Russians did in Afganistan and just as Osama-bin-Ladin predicted as reaction to his 911 attack on us.
Ned Hartley

[Ron Carmichael]

I applaud your position on Iraq. I worked hard in the last election to get rid of Pombo and elect you to office. I hope that you will continue to push for a time certain withdrawel from Iraq and urge Congress to require the Bush Administration to involve the U.N. and NATO in stabilizing Iraq. Finally, I hope that Congress will bring articles of impeachment against A.G. Alberto Gonzales and the rest of this corrupt administration. He is no doubt partly responsible for the torture of a U.S. citizen and countless others. I find it disturbing that the Democrats allowed him to be one of two men in charge of determining the legality of wire tapping in our country without a court approval. Terrible!

[Carolyn Curtis]

Jerry, thanks for publishing your firm stand on getting us out of Iraq. I'm prouder than ever of you, and of the Dean Democratic Club of Silicon Valley's early & consistent support of you.

[Louise Clark]

Thank you, Jerry, for keeping up the good work.
The Bushies say that there will be a terrible blood bath if our troops leave. The apologists for the VietNam War said the same thing in the '60s. Our troops left and there was no blood bath. The Vietnamese Communists took over and now we trade with them and vacation on their beaches. Let's bring ALL our troops ome NOW and eventually go back as tourists.

[Mary Hood]

Congressman McNerney,
Thank you for being in touch with those you represent. Stay firm on Iraq. There is much buzz about Mr. Bush going into Iran. That must not happen. We need to slowly withdraw from Iraq.

Democrats MUST stand together to remove Mr. Bush from office. He is destroying our country and our Constitution. You are doing a tremendous job!

[Nancy Jaicks Alexander]

The US has destroyed a country and continues to be helpless in not being able to save its citizens from slaughter. We MUST set a timeline to begin to leave -be gone is 6 mos. In that 6 mos time frame start to create a dialogue & mediation between ALL parties in the Middle East.

[Dave Kisor]

In 1994, Dick Cheney stated it was good we didn't send troops into Baghdad during Daddy Bush's war and said it would be a quagmire if they had. He knew the consequences of starting this war from the onset, but the smell of 21 trillion dollars worth of "sweet oil" was too much for him to resist. Major General Smedley Darlington Butler, USMC, said "War is a racket," and it most certainly is. I'm another one not from your district, but my nonrepresentative is a diehard bushivic, so asking him would be worthless. A bunch of clowns who never served claimed invading Iraq would be a cake walk, but so far their cake has fallen and the kitchen has burned to the ground. Other than protecting the oil ministry, there never seemed to be a definitive mission in Iraq, other than trying to stay alive. While you're at it, work on repealing that miserable hydrocarbon law Bush pushed so hard to pass. Get our troops out of there. Another Veteran against the war.

[Quentin Baker]

I think it is time to say that this war was wrong from the very beginning. As in Vietnam, I believe it is time to admit that our country under our presidential leadership must now say to the world: we have only been involved in a few good wars and many bad ones. Iraq is one of the bad ones as was Vietnam and the war with Mexico.We can only say we are sorry and will try not to ever do this again; from now on we will strive to be peacemakers whenever and wherever we can.
I marched against the war in San Francisco twice. It was a war for oil. This is now especially so since it has been disclosed this week that that the Iraqi Parliament is refusing to vote in the American plan for the sharing of Iraqi oil.

[Richard Linville]

OUT NOW! De-fund the murderous occupation. The only job remaining for the US military is to remove the mercenary armies of the profiteers, by force if necessary. Next impeach the traitors that engineered this horror. Perhaps then can we begin to wipe away the rivers of blood we’ve let on cradle of civilization.

[Michael Vurek]

I support your efforts to get out of this horrific situation as soon as possible. I also find myself agreeing that we have some responsibility for the mess that we were unable to stop. (I for one, didn't work hard enough to stop it.) I do want to see policies that are compassionate toward the people our government has harmed and placed in harm's way. Thank you for the link to the soldier's editorial.

[Jon Beckler]

I share your concerns, Jerry, and think a definite draw down is the only way to conclude this horrible war. There is no honor for our soldiers in keeping a sectarian regime in power and expecting it to forge a political solution we cannot hope to create. There is no peace where our very presence only gives the insurgents more targets. There is no justice where hundreds of thousands of Iraqi refugees are forced to give up their hope and home to escape to border camps and be herded like cattle. There is no stability when our own government's stupidity has caused a substantial rise in Iranian influence there. The Iraqis cannot fight for their country when they must choose between an occupation force and their own neighbors. This war is insanity, and it is only losing the war on terror. So your approach is sound, and I welcome it, sooner not later.

[Hildie Spritzer]

Thank you for taking the time to clairfy your response. I reacted to the media trailor and did have some questions. Looking at the flood of responses you have received, it is clear that it is important that you continue to solciit responses from the public. In fact I think that this is one of your most admirable qualities. You definitely give us the opprotnity to be heard. Thanks for this opportunity, an amazing website and for your efforts to put an end to this madness!

[Eric Rader]

Support the troops. Listen to what the Sergeants in IRAQ said.
"VIEWED from Iraq at the tail end of a 15-month deployment, the political debate in Washington is indeed surreal. Counterinsurgency is, by definition, a competition between insurgents and counterinsurgents for the control and support of a population. To believe that Americans, with an occupying force that long ago outlived its reluctant welcome, can win over a recalcitrant local population and win this counterinsurgency is far-fetched. "

Karl Rove admitted at his appearance on "Meet The Press" that the invasion in Iraq was all about controlling the oil!

President Bush now calls Nouri al-Maliki part of, if not the problem. That is because he does not wish to agree that US Oil companies can take 80% of the profits. The PNAC doctrine states we need to go into IRAQ to control the oil.

The administration lies. Everything they say is a lie. Get us out of IRAQ ASAP!

[William Barrett]

I agree with your position regarding troop withdrawal from Iraq.
This is an insane war, directed by an incompetent administration. It's becoming clear that Bush is just trying to protract the conflict to pass it on to the next president, while also looking frantically for a "fall-guy" to blame for the failure -- general Petraeus?

[Bill Ryan]

This statement stands in contrast to the other statements you have made in recent days speaking about "compromise" with the Bush administration. You asked for support and campaigned to end the Bush war of occupation. Now I find your betrayal of your party and your constituents most disturbing. You are not worthy of further support.

[eqbal00]

Rep McNerney,
Frankly, I'm disappointed in the gap between your blog post and your comments in the national media. Although I agree (as do the majority of posters here) with the position you articulate on your blog, your comments to the media give rise to several problems: 1 - they shift the dialog among democrats, and between democrats and republicans, away from the withdrawl process to a supposedly more balanced and conciliatory approach; 2 - they fail to acknowledge the overall trends of the war, the years pocked by accounts of progress that is fleeting or fabricated; 3 - they call your _real_ position into question.

As a contributor to your 2006 campaign, I am deeply disappointed.

[Joy Dahlgren]

I think you are absolutely right in your call for a definite timetable for exiting Iraq. Thank you for standing up, not only to the Republicans, but to the thinking of many influential Democrats.

[harold hedelman]

Great! Cut off funding for the war immediately. Every day we are there makes our future less secure, and diverts your (and our) attention from being proactive and positive on what we and the world really need to be working on

[Herbert Strauss]

The Iraq situation is a mess for which we bear a major responsibility.
1) withdraw troops NOW.
2)Arrange for aid to Iraqi refugees, including letting a substantial number (many of whom have already worked for us!)into this country.
3) set aside money to be used in building Iraq for when things stabilize.

[Dick Schubert]

Firstly we should give up on the idea of srealing Iraq's oil. We should make a public commitment to not having permenant bases in Iraq. Take out all the no bid contractors and para- millitary workers in country. envolve the UN country in the region to fill the void of our leaving. We have driven a bus over the cliff staying on the vehicle will not change the outcome. The whole Iraq situation, was just a botched large scale home invasion robbery! It is time to make amends not corporate profits.

[Katherine Da Silva Jain]

Hi Jerry and Supporters!

I am so glad I supported you in your past two runs for the House!

Thank you for your stand to end this murderous sham in the name of democracy!

Katherine Da Silva Jain

[Brock Beard]

I am very pleased to hear that you are in favor of setting a specific timetable for withdrawl from Iraq. Personally, I'd recommend "right now" for a timetable; this nation cannot afford another minute of this quagmire.

[Louise Specht]

Please let us not reinforce the Bush administration's wrong framing of this conflict as a "war". It is an occupation, by the US, of Iraq. It is an occupation because we are using our troops to support the formation of a government to serve US interests. It is an occupation because we are fighting no recognized government. It is an occupation, and the question is not "if" we leave, but "when".

[Bill Carman]

The Iraq war was sold to congress and the American people under false pretenses and took advantage of our post 9/11 fear and need for revenge. It is being fought on the cuff by a small number of less fortunate volunteers and is costing the lives of many thousands and the misery of millions. Start first by raising taxes immediately to pay for the war in its past and future. Pull out all troops except enough to secure the green zone and the government and start now.

[berkeleyhoward]

Most of your talk is right on, but, as talk, it's cheap. Let's see the right votes, the leadership, and the results in D.C. that an overwhelming majority of people in the U.S. and certainly Iraq want from you. High time to get it done. And bring the criminals in our executive branch to justice while you're at it.

[Brian Lawson]

After reading this article (Democrats Refocus Message on Iraq After Military Gains: Criticism Shifts to Factional Unrest
By Jonathan Weisman and Anne E. Kornblut, Washington Post Staff Writers, Wednesday, August 22, 2007; A04) you need to clarify your position. I was unclear yesterday (see my comment above: August 21, 2007 at 12:54 PM).

According to the article you sound like someone giving cover to the administration to continue this war when you say:

He said Democrats should be willing to negotiate with the generals in Iraq over just how much more time they might need. And, he said, Democrats should move beyond their confrontational approach, away from tough-minded, partisan withdrawal resolutions, to be more conciliatory with Republicans who might also be looking for a way out of the war.

"We should sit down with Republicans, see what would be acceptable to them to end the war and present it to the president, start negotiating from the beginning," he said, adding, "I don't know what the [Democratic] leadership is thinking. Sometimes they've done things that are beyond me."

You have to realize that you are coming into the middle of this debate, you cannot restart it from the beginning. This administration only understands tough bargaining -- if you think otherwise you are much too naive for national politics.

[Fran G]

Can you clarify this statement?

"We should sit down with Republicans, see what would be acceptable to them to end the war and present it to the president, start negotiating from the beginning," he said, adding, "I don't know what the [Democratic] leadership is thinking. Sometimes they've done things that are beyond me."

It seems to me that Republicans in Congress are unalterably opposed to any type of drawdown of troops in Iraq. Assuming that this quote is accurate, are you saying that you have spoken with your Republican colleagues and that there is room for negotiation? If so, what are their concerns? What is it that Democratic leaders have not addressed and that you, so uniquely, are qualifed to bring to potential negotiations?

[David S]

Please explain the Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082102025_pf.html

You seem to be saying different things to reporters than to us.

I really, really want to support you. Pleasanton's my home town, and though I no longer live there, I was there when Pombo became the congressman for us. The single most important issue for me is the environment, which is why your 2006 campaign was the first ever political donation I made. I was overjoyed when you defeated Pombo. I was about to send you another donation for this cycle when this problematic stance on Iraq caught my attention.

[JoAnne Ciazinski]

Dear Jerry, I worked for you and walked door to door to help you defeat Pombo and you are doing a wonderful job. I definatly agree that we need to remove our brave troops from Iraq by setting a date as soon as possible. Bush has created an impossible and unwinnable situation,but it is time for the Iraqis to take control of their country and come together to solve their problems. By continuing to remain in Iraq, the US only prolongs this unjust war. Also, I strongly support impeachment of Bush, Cheney, and Gonsales. Keep up the good work! Sincerely, JoAnne Ciazinski

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[Bill Chapman]

Dear Jerry: As it happens, I agree with how you come out on these complicated issues. I think most Northern Californians -- and most Americans do, so far as we can fully understand them. But more important to me is that you seem to have four qualities that we should all wish for in those we elect to cast the difficult votes and say the difficult things on our behalf: intelligence, open-mindedness, priciples and integrity. I have complete confidence that you won't just do what you think the electorate would "vote" for by poll or ballot, and that you will continue to learn what we can't learn, understand things we can never understand, and than do what you think is the right thing -- whether it's popular or not, voter-attractive or not, party-line or not. To have a representative that does that is a great gift to all of us who worked for you -- maybe especially for those from outside your district, like Mary(Hudson) and me. --Bill Chapman.

[Steve Meyers]

I applaud and support your stand.

[John A. Castillo]

The sooner we start getting our troops out, the better. A period of 9 months to complete a withdrawl seems very reasonable.

I wonder if Bush/Cheney are patriotic enough to realize that they should announce they are going to withdraw the troops and that they will talk with the Iranians, Syrians, Russians, Europeans, Chinese on how to get help for the Iraqis to repair the damage we caused?

I don't see them doing that, so patriotic Democrats and Republicans hopefully should unite and defund the war.

[Katherine Schick]

Dear Jerry,
I was proud to help elect you and I have been proud of the good things you have done since getting elected. Yes, please, continue to hold on tight to troop withdrawal by a particular date - and as soon as possible. America needs to stop being an empire and return to being a democracy.

[Gail Daly]

I agree with your principaled stand on the Iraq occupation. We must get out as soon as possible, BUT, what about the 160,000 mercenaries the govt calls contractors that will presumably not be recalled. If they are will they then be set to police the U.S.?
I would very much like to know what your plans are for them and all their equipment.
Another reason to end this murderous fiasco is the tremendous cost to us taxpayers. It is time to see our dollars going to HEALTH CARE, single payer, please. The insurance companies are th problem so cannot be part of the answer.
Are you aware of SB840 here in california? Full health care for all for the amount we now pay out in payroll taxes and insurance payments of all kinds. Check it out.
I'm happy for the stances you take with the progressive wing of the Dems but one thing hurts and confounds me, your vote against legallizing medical marijuana. I read your excuse for your vote and it had no merit. Marijuana is not a 'gate way drug', cigerettes are. There are very sick people who truly need what you would deny them. Please look further into this important issue and see that your next vote on it must be to support it's passage.
Keep up your courage. It's hard to find in this Democratic Party.

[hal gelb]

As the article in the Insight section of the SF Chronicle of Sunday, 8/19/07, made clear, the reason that the all important benchmark Iraqi oil legislation isn't going forward is that -- however much the Bush administration and, please disabuse me here, congressional Democrats may want it -- the Iraqi people do not.

The legislation is always advertised in our media as ensuring an equitable distribution of oil revenues to Shiites, Sunnis and Kurds. So much so, it's boilerplate.

What the Chronicle article makes clear, and the reason the Iraqi people object to the legislation, is that it gives half of those revenues -- revenues necessary to rebuild a country we've reduced to chaos and rubble -- to foreign, read U.S., oil companies. That strongly suggests that this is a war for oil after all.

Please begin a campaign to share this information about the oil legislation with the American people. Let us know that when our politicians call the Maliki government incompetent, it isn't simply incompetent. There's a real reason the benchmark oil legislation isn't going forward.

[Marilynn Boosinger]

Thank you for taking a stand for a concise timeline for ending the occupation. There is no graceful way to end this horrific war and occupation any more than we can bring back the dead. We must put a stop to it at once! NOT ONE MORE DAY! NOT ONE MORE DOLLAR! NOT ONE MORE DEATH!

I am so disgusted with people who support this lying, warmongering administration and parrot Bush's mealy-mouthed excuses for why we must "stay the course." This administration doesn't even have the decency to care for our physically and emotionally maimed veterans or the so-called "collateral damage" in Iraq. Instead, they award billions to multi-national corporations like Cheney's pet Halliburton that are not held accountable for the $$$$ they can't seem to put a finger on while Iraqis go without potable water or electricity and our soldiers have insufficient protection. Dick Cheney and George Bush are liars, traitors, and mass murderers. They must be IMPEACHED and brought to justice!

Jerry, as a substantial supporter of your 2006 campaign, I appreciate the conscientiousness that you're bringing to your duties as Congressman. It's clear that you want the best for all involved in the quagmire that the Bush administration has created in Iraq. However, I am troubled by the news reports that cast you in a different light than the one you present here.

On the very day that you posted this, you gave an interview with the Washington Post in which you said, "We should sit down with Republicans, see what would be acceptable to them to end the war and present it to the president, start negotiating from the beginning ... I don't know what the [Democratic] leadership is thinking. Sometimes they've done things that are beyond me." That leaves me with the stro