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STAY THE SURGE...ET TU, GOVERNOR?

Dems challenge Carcieri to push Bush on troop escalation

Chairman Lynch: 'It's time the governor took a stand'

PAWTUCKET- With President Bush making his first official visit to Rhode Island today, Democratic Party Chairman Bill Lynch is calling on Governor Carcieri to publicly urge Mr. Bush to end the failed troop escalation in Iraq.

"Rhode Islanders deserve to know if their elected leaders support a responsible plan to get our troops out of Iraq, but this governor never seems to give a definitive answer. It's time Governor Carcieri took a stand and publicly urged this president to announce a responsible timetable for troop withdrawal," Lynch said.

"The president's continued escalation and activation of National Guard and Reserve soldiers places a terrible burden on the military families in this state. These families deserve to have their loved ones home, and today they need to hear that message from their Commander in Chief: Don Carcieri," the chairman said.

Mr. Bush is in Rhode Island today visiting the Naval War College, in Newport, and speaking at a meeting of the Republican Governors Association, hosted by Carcieri.

"I understand the governor is a doting fan of President Bush, and that's certainly his prerogative. But affections aside, it's critical he clarify his position on the administration's troop surge. Will he stand with the overwhelming number of Rhode Islanders who long to see this mismanaged war brought to an end, or will he stand with his party"s leader who continuously changes the definition of victory and senselessly places our brave soldiers in harms way?" Lynch asked.

Last March, Providence Journal columnist M. Charles Bakst tried to glean where the governor stood on the situation in Iraq and the military escalation. Here"s some of what the governor had to say:

"This man is so misunderstood, so badly maligned by the media, it makes me furious sometimes." (Providence Journal 3/25/07)

Asked in the same column if he thought Rhode Islanders understand what's going on in Iraq, Governor Carcieri said:

"Anybody that thinks they understand what's going on in Iraq is misinformed.

Finally, when asked if he supports the president's "stay the surge" idea, the governor offered:

"Iraq is a difficult situation where we are. I think you've got to give [him] a chance, and I know what he's trying to do with the surge."

"It's comforting to know that the president has shared his plan for Iraq with Governor Carcieri, because they rest of the country is still in the dark," Chairman Lynch said.

Lynch noted that Mr. Carcieri is supporting former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in the GOP presidential primary. Last February, Romney told the Associated Press he too favored the surge, saying:

"I think it has a reasonable probability of success, not necessarily a high priority. If it does not work we will know that in a matter of months, not years, and we can adjust our strategy." (Associated Press 2/9/07)

"Each day we learn that the surge is proving less effective. Enough is enough. The governor should speak up for all Rhode Islanders today and urge the president to end this failed policy," he said.

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