Fool Me Once, Shame on You; Fool Me Twice, Shame on Me

Libertarian lashes Bush, Kerry for conduct of war

Tampa, FL - (PRWEB)September has already become the fourth bloodiest month for US troops in Iraq, with a full week to go. And, says Libertarian presidential candidate Michael Badnarik, his Democratic and Republican opponents are fresh out of answers.

"The war in Iraq continues to be what it has been from the beginning," says Badnarik, in Florida this weekend on a campaign swing culminating in a speech before the national convention of the American Muslim Association in Orlando. "An ill-advised, poorly planned, badly implemented mistake at the command level which is needlessly costing brave American men and women their lives."

"Just as President Bush ignored the intelligence which didn't bear out the case for going to war in the first place, he ignored the testimony of General Shinseki, chairman of the Joint Chiefs, as to how many troops would be needed," says Badnarik. "That testimony was backed up by Army Secretary Thomas White, who lost his job over it. They were both right. And Americans are paying in blood for their president's refusal to listen."

"Unfortunately, the man considered most likely to replace George W. Bush didn't listen either. John Kerry voted in favor of the war in the US Senate. He can't seem to make up his mind now whether or not that was a good idea, but he's committed to continuing the failed policy."

In campaign speeches around the country, Badnarik has advocated an immediate withdrawal of US troops from Iraq. "We're done there. The outcome isn't in our hands and it never was. I propose a 90-day phased withdrawal in order to properly see to our troops' safety, but it's time to go."

Badnarik's name will appear along with those of Bush and Kerry on the ballot in 48 states and the District of Columbia. Polls show his support in the 1% range and climbing as high as 5% in some southwestern "battleground" states. Some experts believe that he may pose a threat to Bush's re-election by determining the disposition of electoral votes from several close states.

"When John Kerry returned from Vietnam, he asked the Senate 'how can you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?'" says Badnarik. "Apparently he still doesn't have an answer to that question, since he's willing to let Americans continue dying in Iraq to no discernible purpose. His change of heart on the issue of conscription last week is cold comfort, especially given his indecisive record." Kerry, who at one point called for "universal national service," last week stated that he would not resort to the draft in order to bolster US forces.

"And George W. Bush? He continues to insist that every latest attack and every US death is somehow a sign of impending victory. Someone should remind him that the US won every major battle in Vietnam, but ultimately lost the war. People complain about the comparison, but it's valid. When we interfere in foreign arguments and fight on soil where the native population is unfriendly to us, victory just isn't possible."

More than 600 Libertarians currently serve in public office nationwide. A number of Libertarian candidates are running for office on anti-war platforms this year.

# # #