FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | September 2, 2008 |
Contact: Judy Mayka | |
Brian Marriott |
(MINNEAPOLIS, MN) — Vets for
Freedom (VFF) today released a new television advertisement
calling on U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) to “acknowledge the surge
worked” and to support a pending U.S. Senate resolution recognizing the
strategic importance of the surge. The Senate resolution, S. Res. 636,
will be the focus of a $7 million issue advocacy offensive designed to
secure bipartisan Senate support for the measure.
The 30-second advertisement, “Re-enlistment”, features footage of
General David Petraeus, then commanding General of Multi-National Force
Iraq, leading the largest battlefield re-enlistment ceremony in the
history of the all-volunteer force. The commercial, which begins airing
Wednesday in the Minneapolis media market, directly challenges Senator
Obama for his refusal to attribute recent security gains and resulting
political progress in Iraq to the increase in U.S. forces and new
strategy that the surge implemented.
The complete video of the advertisement and supporting documentation
are available at www.VetsforFreedom.org
Senator Obama opposed the surge when the policy was announced in
January 2007 and has stated that, based on the results of the surge, he
would make the same decision again.
U.S. Senators Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC)
introduced S. Res. 636 on July 31. It states, in part: “[The Senate]
recognizes the success of the troop surge in Iraq and its strategic
significance in advancing the vital national interests of the United
States in Iraq, the Middle East, and the world, in particular as a
strategic victory in a central front of the war on terrorism”.
“It is time for Senator Obama to tell the truth about the surge,” said
Vets for Freedom Chairman Pete Hegseth, who recently returned from his
most recent trip to Iraq. “Despite the facts on the ground and the
assessments of senior commanders, Senator Obama has made it clear that
he would again oppose the surge if given the opportunity. This extreme
position suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the situation in
Iraq and suggests a perspective incompatible with the policy goal of a
stable and secure Iraq.”
“With the return of Congress next week from the August recess, Vets for
Freedom will undertake a $7 million effort to build bipartisan
congressional support for this critical resolution recognizing the
strategic success of the surge. A vote by Senator Barack Obama against
Senate Resolution 636 would be a vote against the surge, against
finishing the job in Iraq, and a signal of American weakness at a
moment of growing international instability and conflict.”
Both Pete Hegseth and VFF Vice-Chairman David Bellavia recently
returned from Iraq and are in Minneapolis, MN and available for
interviews. To speak with Pete or David, please contact Judy Mayka
(202) 834- 5931/ Judy@vetsforfreedom.org or Brian Marriott (703)
593-1679/ Brian@vetsforfreedom.org For more information about Vets
for Freedom, please visit www.vetsforfreedom.org.