“Congressman Wynn’s vote to give President Bush complete authority to wage war in Iraq began this deadly and costly debacle that continues to cripple us.  Only new leadership will get us out of this disaster and put our country back on the smart course.”

Donna Edwards 

Dear Friends,

We are quickly approaching the date where the war in Iraq will have lasted a year longer than our involvement in World War II.[1]  After all this time, this week the debate over U.S. strategy in Iraq remains on center stage – with no end in sight.  The blunders and failures of this policy rest at the feet of the Bush Administration and all those who supported them, including Congressman Albert Wynn. 

On Monday, we saw the long-awaited Congressional testimony of General David Petraeus who not surprisingly gave a very positive picture of the situation in Iraq.  His report, however, stands in contrast to reports by the GAO and the Independent Commission on the Security Forces in Iraq  that paint a darker picture.   These reports further illustrate a failed policy – a policy that was strongly supported by Congressman Wynn.  Make no mistake, Congressman Wynn’s vote to give President Bush complete authority to wage war in Iraq began this deadly and costly debacle that continues to cripple us (H J Res 114, House Vote 455, 10/10/02).  Maxine Waters, John Conyers, John Lewis, and Maryland’s Ben Cardin and Elijah Cummings stood with us, but Congressman Wynn did not–in fact, he was one of only four members of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote with President Bush and Vice President Cheney.[2]  When we needed him to speak truth to power and deception, Congressman Wynn failed us. 

As a member of Congress, I will be a leader who does not bow to political pressure but rather    upholds the values of the constituents that I represent.  I will: 

• Continue to be an outspoken voice to end the war in Iraq.  The way forward is to start a diplomatic offensive in the region and begin to withdraw our troops now.  We need a political solution, not a military solution, which means standing up, with backbone, against the Bush Administration’s failed policy.

• Refocus our priorities on real national security.  We’re spending billions on a failed policy and growing civil war—we must direct these resources toward real security in this country.  Al Qaeda and the Taliban are regrouping in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan while we remain bogged down in Iraq.   We need to stop putting American soldiers in the midst of a religious civil war in Iraq and focus our attention and resources on the real threats at hand.

• Provide quality medical and compensatory services for veterans and military family members, including mental health services, and respond to constituent requests of our veterans.  I have heard from veterans, service members and their families who are frustrated and angry.  As the daughter of a career service member and disabled veteran, I understand and value the sacrifices that are made by service members and their families, especially the complications of navigating through the maze of military and veteran benefits programs.  In my congressional office, I will be focused on this issue and designate a veteran constituent liaison to ensure that all questions and requests received by my office are handled thoroughly and expeditiously. 

On Iraq and on other issues, our district deserves a member of Congress whose allegiance to the best interests of their constituents is unquestioned.  Unfortunately, we cannot count on Congressman Albert Wynn to represent our interests.  He has sold us out on Iraq, energy, bankruptcy, and Republican tax breaks for the wealthy.  We need someone to lead where Congressman Wynn has failed progressives, and a vote for me is a vote for that leadership. 

I welcome questions and comments and encourage anyone to call Dan Weber in our campaign office at (301) 316-1880 or e-mail him at dan@donnaedwardsforcongress.com.

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