Ending the Iraq War

Serving as a weapons analyst for the Pentagon and Congress, Jeff Merkley has the national security experience to separate fact from fiction when it comes to keeping our nation safe. As someone who worked closely with veterans, the idea of going to war is not theoretical to Jeff – it has real consequences for real Americans.

Opposed the War from the Start

Jeff Merkley opposed George Bush's Iraq policy from the beginning. He called for bold diplomatic efforts before pursuing military strategy. Two days after the war began in 2003, Jeff Merkley gave a speech in the Oregon House critical of Bush’s strategy:

“Colleagues, I have not been and am not today persuaded that Iraq was a significant threat to the United States or that the war we fight today is the best strategy to fight terrorism or the wisest application of our superpower resources.”

Ending the War

Jeff was the first U.S. Senate candidate to sign onto “A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq”. The strategy to end the war and bring our sons and daughters home was authored by several distinguished military experts, including Major General Paul Eaton (U.S. ARMY RET.) former Security Transition Commanding General, Iraq; Dr. Lawrence Korb former Assistant Secretary of Defense in the Reagan Administration; Brigadier General John Johns (U.S. ARMY RET.) specialist in counterinsurgency and nation-building; and Capt. Larry Seaquist (U.S. NAVY).

Jeff has laid out a five-point path for stability in the region that will redeploy American combat troops and engage the Iraqis in rebuilding their country. In order to secure the peace, Jeff knows Americans can’t be seen as an occupying force, so removing them from patrols and checkpoints should be job one. And Iraqis must feel they have a stake in their own future in order to move forward. Jeff’s five-point path includes:

*Removing all combat troops starting right away and completing the redeployment in six to 12 months
*Eliminating permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq
*Engaging Iraq’s neighbors in a diplomatic effort to secure the peace– particularly Turkey, Iran and Syria
*Removing all American contractors from the country and replacing them with Iraqi contractors
*Directing our attention toward stronger engagement with the Iraqi Parliament and Courts.

More Information on Merkley and Ending the Iraq War

• On Iraq: New Evidence Gordon Smith Gravely Failed Oregon and America
• Merkley: Does Gordon Smith Believe the Mission Was Accomplished
• Jeff Merkley Endorses Responsible Plan to End Iraq War
• Merkley takes to streets to protest Iraq War
• Merkley Backs Bill Requiring CIA to Follow the Army Field Manual
• Jeff Merkley Comments on the Assassination of Former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto
• Smith Again Cancels Out Wyden, Votes to Keep Troops in Iraq
• Council for a Livable World Backs Merkley for U.S. Senate

News on Merkley and Ending the Iraq War

• Eugene Register-Guard: "Smith Takes Risk Raising Iraq Issue"
• A Plan To End The War That's Worth Pursuing
• Will Gordon Smith embrace Bush?

Posted November 13, 2007
Issues