Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
President Bush told the nation on Thursday night that he has accepted the recommendations of his top commander in Iraq, who said the troop surge is working, and is ordering gradual reductions in U.S. forces there.
Bush’s popularity as well as support for the War in Iraq have tumbled to historically low levels, but the president has remained steadfast in his insistence that the U.S. military remain in the region. He said that the so-called “surge” in troop numbers has helped stabilize the region and as success is realized, more members of the armed services will return home.
“The more successful we are, the more American troops can return home,” he said.
The issue has been on the minds of Iowans who are vetting presidential contenders in both parties. Support for the war among the candidates basically breaks down along party lines.
General David Petraeus recommended that about 2,200 Marines scheduled to leave Anbar Province later this month not be replaced. In addition, Petraeus said it will soon be possible to bring home an Army combat brigade, for a total force reduction of 5,700 troops by Christmas.
Bush said that four brigades – at least 21,500 troops – would return by July, along with an undetermined number of support forces. Now at its highest level of the war, the U.S. troop strength stands at 168,000.
Bush firmly rejected calls to end the war, saying “the success of a free Iraq is critical to the security of the United States.” He said a free Iraq “will deny al Qaida a safe haven” and will counter what he calls “the destructive ambitions of Iran.”
U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.) both focused their campaigning in the state this week on the issue. Obama visited Clinton to unveil his plan to bring the troops home, while McCain launched a “No Surrender” tour in Sioux City, urging the president to stay the course.
Here are statements from presidential candidates following the speech:
U.S. Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill.:
“It is long past time to end a war that never should have started. President
Bush was wrong when he took us to war, he was wrong when he escalated this war in January, and he is wrong to stay the course now.
I opposed this war from the beginning, I introduced legislation in January that would have already started to bring our troops home, and I will continue to lead the fight in the Senate for a fixed timeline with a deadline for the removal of all of our combat troops. The American people are not going to be fooled by the same false promises of success that got us into Iraq. Iraq’s leaders are not making the political progress that was the stated purpose of the surge, but the President wants us to keep giving him a blank check. We must not continue the enormous sacrifice of our troops, our military readiness, our treasury, and our standing in the world just to keep the violence at the same unacceptable levels it was at in 2005 and 2006. That is why I have proposed an immediate and sustained removal of 1 to 2 combat brigades each month to conclude by the end of next year. We have to come together – not as Republicans and Democrats – but as Americans to turn the page in Iraq so that we can recapture our unity of purpose at home and our leadership around the world.”
Republican Mitt Romney, former Governor of Massachusetts: “President Bush understands that our most crucial objective in Iraq is to make sure it does not become a safe haven for al-Qaeda and Jihadist terrorists. But that’s just what would happen if Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have their way. Our troop presence has emboldened Sunni leaders to resist al-Qaeda. This is progress – important progress.
“Today’s assassination of Sheik Abdul-Sattar Abu Risha, who recently met with President Bush, underscores how serious Jihadists like al-Qaeda take this struggle, and we must do the same. Also of concern to all Americans is the growing evidence of Iran’s role as an active antagonist in Iraq. The United States must craft an assertive and comprehensive strategy to get Iran to back off.”
Dave Roederer, Iowa campaign chairman for McCain, spoke on behalf of the senator: “I can tell you what Senator McCain has said is that if, in fact, the president does announce a troop withdrawal it’s an indication of success as far as the surge goes. The number of the troops is a decision that should be made by the generals.”
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter