Congressman John Kline Radio Address
  September 7, 2007

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TRANSCRIPT:

Hello, I’m Congressman John Kline, and I have the privilege to represent the suburbs and rural counties south of Minnesota’s Twin Cities.
On Monday, nine months to the day after the President announced an increase of U.S. forces on the ground in Iraq, the Congress and the American people will hear a progress report on this new strategy.

The long-awaited testimony of General David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker represents the most accurate, credible and up-to-date assessment of the security and political realities in Iraq.

Before the people of Minnesota’s 2nd District sent me to Washington, I served a quarter of a century in the Marine Corps – as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam, and as the commander of our all aviation forces in Somalia. I can say without any reservation that General Petraeus is one of the most honorable officers I have ever known.

Earlier this year, he was unanimously confirmed by the Senate to lead this mission.

His testimony comes on the heels of numerous reports that the tide is turning for the better in Iraq. Working with their Iraqi counterparts, Coalition forces have made substantive progress in curbing sectarian violence and achieving tactical momentum against al Qaeda in Iraq.
General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker’s report provides us with an opportunity to put aside politics and come together to build on these hard-won and incontrovertible security gains.

In the end, a stable and democratic Iraq that can govern, defend and sustain itself is in the best interest of the United States and the world.
The consequence of failure in Iraq is tremendous. Al Qaeda is intent on using Iraq as a launching pad for regional attacks. And just ten days ago, the leader of Iran said that his country was prepared to fill a potential power vacuum that may exist in Iraq.

Unfortunately, some in Washington have been critical of our efforts in Iraq for so long, that today they are unwilling to even listen to General Petraeus’ assessment of Iraq – they are, in a very real sense, politically invested in our failure in Iraq.

I hope they will listen to what General Petraeus has to say before making any judgments on the future of our strategy in Iraq.

Our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines have been committed to a difficult and challenging task against a vicious insurgency, and by and large they have succeeded.

I understand the sacrifices their loved ones have had to make – it was not too long ago that my son completed a tour as a helicopter pilot in Iraq – but the sooner we can help the Iraqi people stand up, the sooner we can bring our bravest home.

Thanks for listening.