Kilroy Wants it Both Ways in Afghanistan

On May 14, 2009 Congresswoman Kilroy co-sponsored HR 2404, a resolution in the House of Representatives which, if passed, will order the Obama Administration to develop and execute an exit strategy for the war in Afghanistan, the country which hosted Osama bin Laden as he planned the September 11 attacks on our country. A few months later, in the run up to President Obama’s 30,000 troop surge, Ms. Kilroy stated in the Columbus Dispatch that “Afghanistan should be the central front against terrorism since those that [sic.] wish to do us harm have based their efforts in that part of the world.” The Columbus Dispatch reports today that Ms. Kilroy will vote against a resolution by her liberal ally and HR 2404 co-sponsor Rep. Dennis Kucinich (Democrat, OH-10) using an obscure and likely unconstitutional provision of the War Powers Act of 1973.

So to recap: Kilroy in May: PULL OUT! Kilroy in September: SURGE!

What does Congresswoman Kilroy have to say right now? Apparently nothing. In the Columbus Dispatch’s coverage of the House debate on Kucinich’s resolution most Central Ohio legislators were able to clearly state their positions. However, Ms. Kilroy conspicuously didn’t offer a quote to inform her constituents on her position.

Her silence is but the latest in an ages old political game the Congresswoman and her ilk like to play of trying to have it both ways. Ms. Kilroy is in bed with the anti-defense far-left: She’s sponsored a resolution directing Defense Secretary Gates to outline an exit strategy for the war in Afghanistan. She’s also a fawning devotee to the Obama Administration, and, at present, President Obama wants to stay the course in Afghanistan.

Congresswoman Kilroy is torn. She has backed herself into the unenviable position of needing to appease both her ultra-liberal masters and her allies in the Obama Administration. The conflict has left her ineffective and sinking in a mire of indecision.

The inconsistency of her positions has left those of us in her district unable to fathom how Congresswoman Kilroy genuinely feels about protecting us from the terrorists who wish to do us harm. What the Congresswoman has made perfectly clear is that she lacks resolve and will bend to political pressure on any and every issue—even our nation’s safety and security.

Congresswoman Kilroy is sending the wrong message to the terrorists. Through her actions she is exhibiting that our commitment to winning the war on terror is as fickle as the political winds.

Thankfully, the man challenging Kilroy in the upcoming 2010 election, Lt. Colonel Steve Stivers, has a solid understanding of what the result of cutting and running from the war in Afghanistan would entail. Said Stivers, “As a solider, I’m the first to wish we could end the engagement in Afghanistan, but to do so would embolden our enemies with a victory and move the front line in the war on terror to the United States.”