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Where the candidates stand on the war in Iraq | |||||||
| President George Bush, Republican | Sen. John Kerry, Democrat | Don Barbieri, Democrat, for U.S. House, 5th District | Cathy McMorris, Republican, for U.S. House, 5th District | Sen. Patty Murray, Democrat for Senate | Rep. George Nethercutt, Republican for Senate | Christine Gregoire, Democrat for governor | Dino Rossi, Republican for governor |
| Used the pre-emptive strike doctrine to attack foreign threats abroad, defends decision to invade Iraq to remove Saddam Hussein as a declared enemy and supporter of terrorism. Says 50 million in Afghanistan and Iraq “have been liberated from despotic, totalitarian regimes.” Working toward elections in Iraq in January 2005, keeping troops in the country until it is stable. | Persuade NATO to deploy forces in Iraq, convene a summit with major powers and Arab and Muslim nations to protect U.N. mission on elections and provide financial aid. Encourage other countries to develop Iraqi oil resources. Increase training of Iraqi police and military, send recruits to NATO countries for training. Help with process to share power among Sunnis, Shiites and Kurds. | In Iraq we can support a growing democracy, and secure more international involvement and assistance. I’ll support our troops by getting them equipment and services needed, then bring them home as quickly as possible. | When the rebuilding of Iraqi defense forces is finished and after the first free elections occur in that nation, American troops will have completed their mission in Iraq. Until then, I will ensure our personnel in Iraq have the resources to get the job done as soon as possible | This war has cost us greatly. We need to ensure that our soldiers have the resources to complete their mission, get other nations, including Iraq, to contribute more, and develop a plan to bring our soldiers home safely. | We did the right thing in Iraq. We must continue to work to build a stable democracy that can be a beacon of freedom and stability in the Middle East. | What I am thinking about, and planning for, is how we can serve our soldiers returning home to Washington. One of the things I will do as governor is expand the field services outreach efforts by the state Department of Veterans Affairs to help all returning Guard and Reserve personnel access their VA benefits and ensure there is no breakdown in health care service coverage. | Rossi’s campaign did not answer requests to provide a position. |