MoveOn.org Political Action
Rep. Adam Putnam Urged to Support Iraq Exit Strategy
Veterans, Residents gather in front of Congressman Putnam's Bartow office to deliver “Out in ‘06” Petitions
Bartow, Florida
—Veterans and local members of the grassroots organization MoveOn.org Political Action, gathered today to urge Representative Putnam and other Republicans in Congress to support an Iraq exit strategy with a timeline that brings the troops home by the end of 2006. Constituents gathered at Congressman Putnam's office with an “Out in ‘06” petition while MoveOn members did the same in front of 287 congressional offices across the country, representing over 400,000 endorsements.The campaign comes as political parties in Iraq, some Republicans and many Democrats in Congress support an exit strategy with a timeline. Conservative Democratic Congressman John Murtha (HJ Res 73), a decorated Vietnam War veteran and long time supporter of the war, and Republican Representative Walter Jones (HJR 55) of North Carolina whose district includes Camp Lejeune, a major marine base, have both introduced proposals for an exit from Iraq.
"We want Congressman Putnam to know we are not satisfied with the Bush administration's policy on Iraq" said Thomas Carroll, MoveOn coordinator from Bartow. "We urge Congress to establish a timetable for immediate withdrawal. We do not believe a continued US presence in Iraq will accomplish any further stability. We feel the Bush administration's goals in Iraq have continued to change throughout the engagement and have never qualified a realistic outcome. To remain there in pursuit of the goal of creating a democratic and self sustaining Iraqi government is an impossible objective. The Iraqi people must choose this for themselves."
“That’s why over 500 constituents signed a petition to urge our Congressman to support an exit strategy with a timeline that brings our troops home by the end of 2006,” Mr. Carroll concluded.
The delegation of 13 MoveOn members made brief statements for the press, answering their questions and then hand delivered the petition to Congressman Putnam's office staff. Congressman Putnam was in Washington and not available to receive the petition personally.
Polk
County Democrat, Dec 22, 2005
Lakeland Ledger, December 1 2005
MOVING ON PUTNAM - Bill Rufty
Thirteen members of the local chapter of MoveOn.org showed up at U.S. Rep. Adam
Putnam's Bartow office to present petitions opposing the war in Iraq.
Putnam, R-Bartow, has been a strong supporter of the Republican administration's
Iraq policy and recently said there is no need to change that policy, and he
said the nation should not announce withdrawal deadlines because it would give
vital information to the insurgents.
At the time of the visit, Putnam was in Washington as Congress worked to finish
its budgets and other agenda items before the Christmas recess.
Thomas Carroll of Bartow led the local effort and the more than 200 petitions.
"All we were able to do was leave the petition. They were endorsements, not
signatures since they came through the Internet. They were polite to us and took
our petitions," he said.
MoveOn members did the same at 287 congressional offices across the nation with
what it said were more than 400,000 endorsements of a pullout.
The group is calling for the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Iraq.
Carroll said the petition cites its claim that there is no legitimate reason to
be militarily or politically involved in the affairs of the nation of Iraq. The
U.S. presence, he said, is "contrary to the best interests of the Iraqi people,
the people of the Mideast, and the rest of the world."
Staff members promised to pass the petitions on to the congressman.
