RUBBER STAMP
Republican Jim Walsh
(NY-25)

Jim Walsh wants to have it both ways on Iraq. Walsh has voted in lockstep with the Bush administration on Iraq and opposes a timeline to withdraw our troops. Yet, while voting again and again to give President Bush a blank check for Iraq, Walsh incredibly claims that President Bush "should not have a blank check to continue the conflict." After voting against hearings on President Bush's policy on Iraq, Walsh had the audacity to claim that he would not abdicate his "responsibility to provide needed oversight." Walsh says that our troops have "done everything we've asked them to do, and more," but voted against giving those troops a $1,500 bonus.

But, don't criticize him for it. You might disappoint him. And he might even call you names.

Case #1: Strategy

Jim Walsh's Rhetoric

  • Walsh: US Should Train and Equip Iraqis, and Withdraw, Not Surge, Troops
    "Our role in Iraq should shift toward a major emphasis in supporting the training and equipping of the Iraqi military, police and border security officials, as opposed to offensive action. Sending additional troops into Iraq at this time is the wrong decision. What value will the Iraqi people ascribe to their victory if they don't win it themselves? ... What we can and should do is give Iraqi security forces the tools they need - to the best of our ability - and then let the Iraqi people determine the destiny of their country while withdrawing our troops." [Walsh Press Release, 12/29/06]
  • Walsh: Success Can Only Be Achieved by Iraqis
    "The remaining objectives - conflict resolution between Sunnis and Shiites and national peace and stabilization - can only be achieved for the Iraqis, by the Iraqis. While the U.S. can play a supportive role through diplomatic means and assist in security forces training, Iraqis must take responsibility for their sovereign nation and its future... It is time for Iraqis to step up, take the lead for national security and make significant efforts to heal their nation." [Jim Walsh Press Release, 2/1/07]
  • One of Dozen to Visit White House for Fruitless Talk about Iraq
    According to the Buffalo News, "Walsh was one of a dozen House Republicans who visited Bush several weeks ago to voice their concerns about the war. Asked how much Bush appeared to be willing to bend on Iraq policy, Walsh said: 'Not much.'" [Buffalo News, 7/12/07]
  • Walsh: I Oppose Troop Surge
    "The President believes that by adding more troops, he can turn the situation around. I disagree, and I've told him so." [Walsh Open Letter to Central New York, 5/7/07]
  • Walsh: President Should Not Have Blank Check
    "At the same time, the President does not and should not have a blank check to continue the conflict... Let me be clear, while voting to sustain the President's veto, I did not sign a blank check. I do not abdicate my responsibility to provide needed oversight. And I do not advocate for a troop build up." [Walsh Open Letter to Central New York, 5/7/07]
  • Walsh: Diplomacy, Not Military Surge
    "My view was that we should be surging in diplomacy, not the military," Walsh said. [Buffalo News, 7/12/07]

The Real Jim Walsh Record

  • 2002: Walsh Voted for War in Iraq
    In 2002, Walsh voted to allow the President to use the military force in Iraq. [HJR 114, Vote #455, 10/10/2002]
  • Walsh Endorsed Bush Policy in Iraq
    In 2006, Walsh voted for a resolution endorsing President Bush's Iraq policy while declaring that the United States will prevail in the war against terrorism. The resolution also took a stand against setting withdrawal dates. [CQ Today, 6/16/06; HRS 861, Vote #288, 6/16/06]
  • Opposed Accountability in Iraq
    In 2007, Walsh voted against legislation to require the president to report on progress the Iraqi government has made toward meeting specified benchmarks and goals. [Congressional Quarterly; HR 2206, Vote #333, 5/10/07]
  • Opposed Accountability in Iraq, Redeployment of Troops
    In July 2007, Walsh voted against a bill to require the Defense secretary to begin redeploying U.S. troops and contractors out of Iraq within 120 days of the bill's enactment. [Congressional Quarterly; HR 2956, Vote #624, 7/12/07]



Case #2: Timelines

Jim Walsh's Rhetoric

  • Walsh: I Want Us Out of Iraq
    "'Most people want us out of Iraq. And I do, too. The question is how and when,' said Walsh on May 7." [NEWS10, 5/10/07]
  • Walsh: I Want Out of Iraq
    "Most Americans today want out of Iraq, as do I... Today most of the people of Central New York tell me they want us to leave Iraq. I agree." [Walsh Open Letter to Central New York, 5/7/07]

The Real Jim Walsh Record

  • Opposed Bringing Troops Home by August 2008
    In 2007, Walsh voted against a bill that would set in motion a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq by August 2008. [CQ House Action Reports, No. 110-3, 3/20/07; HR 1591, Vote #186, 3/23/07]
  • Walsh: Timelines Help the Enemy
    In 2007, Walsh said Congress shouldn't be setting deadlines for the war, saying at the time that it would telegraph "an unprecedented timeline for U.S. withdrawal to our enemies akin to showing your hand in a game of cards." [Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, 4/20/07]
  • Rubberstamped Bush Veto, Opposed Benchmarks for Iraq
    In 2007, Walsh voted against an attempt to override President Bush's veto of legislation to require accountability in Iraq. The bill set as a goal of redeploying most U.S. combat troops in Iraq by the end of March 2008, if the president can certify the Iraq government is meeting benchmarks. [Congressional Quarterly; HR 1591, Vote #276, 5/2/07]
  • Walsh: No Timetables
    "I agree that troop funding legislation should not include timetable language and voted against the override." [Walsh Open Letter to Central New York, 5/7/07]
  • Walsh Says Timetables "Tie the Hands of the Soldiers and Generals on the Ground"
    "'The timetable language and deadlines they put in there really tie the hands of the soldiers and generals on the ground,' Walsh said. 'It's unprecedented. We have never done that before.'" [Post Standard, Mark Weiner Column, 4/30/07]
  • Walsh Committed to Opposing Timeline
    According to Walsh spokesman Brian Baluta, Walsh is committed to opposing the timeline. [Politico, 4/19/07]



Case #3: Salary Bonus

Jim Walsh's Rhetoric

  • Walsh: Our Troops Have Done "Everything We Have Asked Them to Do"
    "Our soldiers have done a magnificent job. They've performed brilliantly, courageously and with amazing discipline. Clearly the United States military is not only the best fighting force on the globe, it is the most diverse, meritocratic, best educated, and the best lead and trained military in world history. Our soldiers have done everything we've asked them to do, and more." [Post-Standard editorial, 1/3/07]

The Real Jim Walsh Record

  • Walsh Opposed A Salary Bonus For Our Troops, Guard, Reserve
    In 2003, Walsh voted against providing service members a $1,500 salary bonus to every American service member serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, including National Guard and reserve forces. [HR 3289, Vote #554, 10/17/2003]



Extras:

Jim Walsh "Disappointed" in Critics, Constituents

  • Walsh: You're Shortsighted If You Vote Against Me Because I Support the War
    In a 2006 interview, Walsh said it was shortsighted and unwise to vote against him because of his support for the war in Iraq.
    "I just think that's shortsighted, Bob. I think it's shortsighted because the greatest impact any congressman can have is on their home district. I mean, that argument could be used against Hillary Clinton, because she has supported the war. [Syracuse Post-Standard, 10/25/06]
  • Walsh "Disappointed" In His Constituents (Because They Cared About Iraq)
    According an article in Syracuse Post-Standard after the 2006 election, "Walsh said he views the election as a referendum on the unpopular Iraq war and the unpopular administration of President Bush, not a statement on the job he's done in Congress."
    "I was very disappointed in the people of the city," Walsh said. "I've worked harder in the city of Syracuse than I have in any other part of the district. I have given my heart and soul to that city. And I'll continue to do that, but I've got a little hole in my heart." [Syracuse Post-Standard, 11/18/06]



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