The “right”? McCain? Not buying that, CherylP.

And is McCain really setting the time table at 18-24 months? Or are these “sound much like” comments using words that rhyme or have similar tone?

You may find worlds of distance between Madia and Bonoff, but I do not. I would call them “leave all our equipment there” and “give us enough time to get our equipment out” options of the “surrender after we have won” plan. *shrug*

If you had followed the endorsement race, you would have known that Madia’s main opponent, State Sen. Terri Bonoff, called for a quicker withdrawal than Madia was/is calling for. Madia refused to tell the activists what they wanted to hear. Similarly, there is a vocal wing of the party calling for immediate withdrawal. Madia rejects that course. That would be cutting and running. A responsible withdrawal over 18-24 months is in the best interest of American and Iraqi security- just ask the Iraqis themselves.

Actually, wasn’t it a full tour? As I understand it, MARINES don’t have 12-14 months tours like the army.

“I have much more respect for a patriot who develops an intelligent and well thought out position on foreign policy”

Or plays follow the leader in his party. Is this “intelligent and well thought out position” at odds at all with the position of fellow Dems?

I have much more respect for a patriot who develops an intelligent and well thought out position on foreign policy, than a career politician who doesn’t bother to do any homework or publish an opinion.

How long does Paulsen think he can keep quiet on this important subject?! And why would anyone want to elect someone with no positions on such important issues?!

No items contained the text “iraq”.

Also, not sure what you’re talking about re Madia’s plan for a responsible exit in Iraq. If you took the time to read his plan, maybe your comments would be better-informed: http://www.madiaforcongress.com/node/4

Compare Madia’s plan to Paulsen’s plan. Oh wait- that’s right- Paulsen STILL has nothing to say on Iraq. How can you think this man would be a better representative when he refuses to stand for anything?!?!
http://www.paulsenforcongress.com/index.asp?keyword=iraq&searchSection=&SEC=%7B5D26CEF8-1334-423E-973E-E23DC047B350%7D&Type=SEARCH

CherylIP — got any proof of that? His timetable for surrender in Iraq is now history. He doesn’t even think we should continue to train the Iraqi Army. Spending half a tour in Iraq doesn’t make anybody a foreign policy expert.

Paulsen is a citizen politician. Unlike Madia, he has a full time job, wife, family, kids, mortgage etc….

The problem is that MnGOP is attempting to attack Madia for refusing to take the carrot off the table and simply rely on the stick. No one sane, not even Bush now, takes that position. Hell, it may be the case that not even PAULSEN takes that position (we’d know if he actually shared what his position was).

If not, then he’s said nothing new or even out of the normal rhetoric that comes from both Dems and Republicans.

We’ve been using diplomacy with Iran for decades. Indirectly through the EU or back channels or even this newest example where a US diplomat was present in the room but did no negotiating.

No progress yet, and that’s with both a carrot and a stick. If General Madia thinks we can do better by removing the stick, then he’s more of a dimwit than I thought he was.

“Once again, you’ve proven that you and the MMNGOP are far to the right of “W”.”

(as if there is little space “to the right of “W””) and this:

“Since diplomacy hasn’t been tried in years”

(how many years did the EU try diplomacy?)

make me think you are a little silly. Scratch that. A lot silly.

Is a vote for Ashwin Madia a vote for continuing the policies of George W. Bush? Well, if you listen to the silly people, it just might be.

The American Jewish Council poll as reported in December 2007 returned the following result: “…by a margin of 3-1, those polled say that America should continue to impose economic sanctions on Iran.”

Accepting campaign contributions from an organization that promotes worldwide security through responsible, reasonable efforts should in no way reflect negatively on the Madia for Congress campaign. The GOP efforts to do so are illegitimate and wrong.

Maybe we should ask Erik about the dirty sexy money he took from that strip club in Vegas.

Ashwin Madia is right on Iran. I will vote for a Patriot over a career politician any day!

I’ll take Iraq War veteran Ashwin Madia’s judgment on foreign policy over Paulsen’s any day. Besides, we’ve already seen that Madia’s position on Iran has become widely accepted, even by President Bush. Once again, you’ve proven that you and the MMNGOP are far to the right of “W”.

Why are you posting an eservie payments link for the list of endorsed canidates?

“Ashwin Madia On A List Of Endorsed Candidates On The Council For A Livable World’s Contribution Page. (https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/specialwebapp.vps?appid=40a27221f816144b21e9f2e0d81891b8fefa73e062ae9ac3483c55132979d6e860c5f215f4782ccf4aceff04467f6935)

Is that your payment from MnGOP?

At least this time MnGOP isn’t relying upon a missile test that ended up being fake as their basis for the release.