Polis Says One Thing On Iraq in Colorado, Says Another in Washington
Flip flops and supports Iraq plan with no timeline for withdrawal
WESTMINSTER, Colo.—Jared Polis contradicted his earlier positions on the War in Iraq in Washington DC today and signed on to “The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.” Polis had previously laid out his position as “refusing to vote for any additional funding until a firm and immediate plan for withdrawal is in place.” (See attached quotes.)
However noble the objectives of the plan, nowhere is there a timeline for “firm and immediate withdrawal” as he has said repeatedly as a condition for his support. This plan does not call for specific timelines or any benchmarks.
“Jared’s plan offers nothing in terms getting us out of Iraq now,” said Mary Alice Mandarich. “We agree with the conclusion of the plan, but the difference here is that Joan Fitz-Gerald believes it should happen immediately,” she said.
“This plan has no timelines for withdrawal from the war in Iraq. On this the 5th anniversary of this war, the soldiers, their families and the American people deserve a straight answer on this most important issue,” said Mandarich. “This plan clearly contradicts everything Jared has previously stated about his stance on funding for the war without a firm timeline for withdrawal. Jared owes it to the voters of the 2nd Congressional District to state clearly his position on withdrawal from Iraq, since it seems to be changing.”
Fitz-Gerald has made it a cornerstone of her campaign for Congress in CD 2, to repair the abuses of the Bush administration and the assault on our constitution. In February, she delivered a podcast on protecting the constitution: http://www.clickcaster.com/items/fitz-gerald-protecting-our-civil-liberties.
In 2006 Polis Didn’t Support a Multi-national peacekeeping force in Iraq.
In a survey for the Boulder County Democratic Party Polis was asked if he supported a multi-national plan for peacekeeping. Polis responded “No.” The specific language to which Polis responded was, “A multi-national plan should be implemented for the deployment of an international peacekeeping force.” [Boulder County Democratic Survey, 2006]
In 2006 Polis Didn’t Support Troop Withdrawal by December 2006.
In a survey for the Boulder County Democratic Party Polis was asked if he supported troop withdrawal by December 2006. Polis responded “No.” The specific language to which Polis responded was, “We call for the withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Iraq by December 2006.” [Boulder County Democratic Party Candidate Survey, 2006]
Jared Politicized Trip to Iraq.
In a television commercial Polis stated he went to Iraq to listen and learn. In reality this was nothing more than a political stunt. Polis filmed footage for a television commercial on the trip. According to the Denver Post, his campaign also distributed a ‘Polis for Congress’ flier a day after he left for Iraq, inviting voters to check out photos from the Middle East at a town hall meeting upon his return. [Denver Post, 11/30/07]
September 12, 2007.
In a press release Jared stated, “In Congress, I will not vote for one more dollar in funding for the war until and unless it is tied to a firm and enforceable deadline.” [Polis for Congress Press Release, 9/12/07]
March 2, 2007.
In a mailing Jared laid out his position as “refusing to vote for any additional funding until a firm and immediate plan for withdrawal is in place.” [Polis for Congress Mailing, 3/8/07]