Democratic challenger for U.S. Senate seat calls Iraq war 'strategic blunder'
{{date|October 29, 2006}}

The weekly [[Democratic Party (US)|Democratic Party]] radio broadcast on Saturday featured [[Virginia]]'s [[U.S.]] [[US Senate|Senate]] seat challenger {{w|James Webb}}, who said "I told you so,"  referring to his prediction before the {{w|Iraq war}} that, "our troops would become terrorist targets, and that there was no exit strategy because the people who were doing this did not intend to leave."

Calling the war a "strategic blunder", Webb said the {{w|George W. Bush|Bush}} administration should "make it clear that we have no intention to build permanent bases in Iraq." The presence of U.S. forces in {{w|Iraq}} destabilize the region, where their withdrawal would take the moral high ground away from {[w|Muslim}} insurgents, Webb said.
  
Webb also called on the Administration to open a diplomatic dialogue with {{w|Syria}} and Iran, countries with a vested interest in the security of Iraq. "We could also encourage accountability among other nations in that region, who are now threatened by Iraq's instability and will benefit by a proper solution."

The too-close-to-call and hotly contested Senate race between Webb and incumbent Republican opponent {{w|George Allen}} is closely watched as Democrats try to gain majority control in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the November 7 mid-term election.
 
== Sources ==

*{{source|url=http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/10/diane_farrell_d_1.php 
|title=Jim Webb Delivers Democratic Radio Address
|author=
|pub=The Democratic Party
|date=October 28, 2006 }} <small>''transcript''</small>
*{{source|url=http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aVEeMXdPIqjc&refer=home
|title=Democrat James Webb Calls on Bush to Rule Out Iraqi Bases
|author=Miles Weiss
|pub=Bloomberg
|date=October 28, 2006 }}

{{Publish}}
{{Archived}}
[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Virginia]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Democratic Party (United States)]]
[[Category:US Senate]]
[[Category:US Congress]]
[[Category:Republican Party (United States)]]
[[Category:Jim Webb]]
The weekly Democratic Party radio broadcast on Saturday featured Virginia's U.S. Senate seat challenger Iraq war that, "our troops would become terrorist targets, and that there was no exit strategy because the people who were doing this did not intend to leave."

Calling the war a "strategic blunder", Webb said the Bush administration should "make it clear that we have no intention to build permanent bases in Iraq." The presence of U.S. forces in Muslim insurgents, Webb said.
  
Webb also called on the Administration to open a diplomatic dialogue with  and Iran, countries with a vested interest in the security of Iraq. "We could also encourage accountability among other nations in that region, who are now threatened by Iraq's instability and will benefit by a proper solution."

The too-close-to-call and hotly contested Senate race between Webb and incumbent Republican opponent  is closely watched as Democrats try to gain majority control in both the Senate and House of Representatives in the November 7 mid-term election.
Politics and conflicts Virginia United States North America Democratic Party (United States) US Senate US Congress Republican Party (United States) Jim Webb