Though Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama have not given any statements dedicated to this anniversary, two candidates have: John McCain and Ralph Nader. The two polar opposite statements are under the cut.
ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain today issued the following statement on the fifth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq:
"Today in Iraq, America and our allies stand on the precipice of winning a major victory against radical Islamic extremism. The security gains over the past year have been dramatic and undeniable. Al Qaeda and Shia extremists -- with support from external powers such as Iran -- are on the run but not defeated. Tough fighting remains ahead, especially in places like Mosul. Important political gains have also been made, but far more must be done in coming months to cement the gains made in huge cost in American blood and treasure.
"Americans should be proud that they led the way in removing a vicious, predatory dictator and opening the possibility of a free and stable Iraq. Americans should be proud that once we implemented the surge and new counterinsurgency strategy, a dire situation has been dramatically improved. And, Americans know that the consequences of failure would leave our nation less secure for generations to come."
From Nader's Camp (written in poem format, as with all of the newsletters...)
Five years ago today.
The United States launched
A criminal invasion of Iraq.
Five years later
More than a million Iraqis dead.
Almost 4,000 Americans dead.
Hundreds of thousands seriously injured.
Millions uprooted.
End the war.The destruction of a country.
The undermining of the rule of law.
What to do?
On this fifth anniversary?
Join with the Nader/Gonzalez peace train.
The peace train that will
Set a six month deadline.
To bring our troops home from Iraq.
To give the Iraqis back their county.
To give the Iraqis back their oil.
Get out.
And when we announce that we are getting out
In six months certain
That will knock the bottom out of the insurgency.
And bring together the three groups - Shia, Sunni, and Kurds
For a unified Iraq.
They will have to come together.
Because the alternative is total bloodshed.
But first, we must get out.
We must set a date certain of six months.
Nader/Gonzalez would set such a date certain.
Clinton/Obama/McCain would not.
Nader/Gonzalez would get U.S. oil companies out of Iraq.
Clinton/Obama/McCain would not.
Nader/Gonzalez would get all U.S. bases out of Iraq.
Clinton/Obama/McCain would not.
Nader/Gonzalez would cut the bloated, wasteful, military budget.
Clinton/Obama/McCain would not.
Clinton/Obama/McCain.
Nader/Gonzalez.
Like night and day.
War and peace.
How best to make amends?
On this fifth anniversary?
Work for peace.
Join now with the Nader/Gonzalez peace train.
Give now to get Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot
In states all across the country.
CLICK TO CONTRIBUTE.Right now, we are in the middle of ballot drive.
To take the peace train to Arizona.
To put Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot
In the Grand Canyon State.
Over the past few days, we have raised
Over $20,000 from 273 donations.
That takes us 40 percent of the way toward our goal - $50,000.
To get Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot in Arizona.
Where the two corporate parties require us to get 40,000 signatures.
But with your help, we will do it.
We will give the good citizens of Arizona -
Home state to the candidate of perpetual war -
John McCain -
A chance to vote for the peace candidates.
Nader/Gonzalez.
Right now, we need only 300 of you
To give $100 each.
And we will send our petition gatherers to Arizona.
To honor those who have died in this needless war -
Work for peace.
Join with Ralph Nader.
And Matt Gonzalez.
Who from the beginning.
Have opposed this war.
And worked with peace groups around the world to end it.
Help put Nader/Gonzalez on the ballot.
And join our peace train.
Onward.
The Nader Team
Source of statements:
John McCain website and
Ralph Nader website---
I know the actual anniversary was days ago, so if Hilary + Obama have given statements, then excuse me. Plus, McCain and Nader were once to hot.. what happened? :(