Augusta -- On Sunday the Democratic State Committee, the governing body of the Maine Democratic Party, passed resolutions regarding President Bush's Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito and the Iraq War. Emphasizing that Sam Alito is out of step with our Maine values, the resolution urged all Democratic Senators to oppose the nomination. In a nearly unanimous vote the State Committee joined seven other State's Democratic Committees in urging elected officials to call for a "responsible and prompt withdrawal from Iraq". Furthermore, the State Committee pressed for legislation to limit the Federal Government's control over the National Guard.
Responding the the State Committee's resolution against Samuel Alito, Pat Colwell Chair of the Maine Democratic Party, issued this statement: "Samuel Alito is out of step with our Maine values. From a women's right to choose, to presidential power, Samuel Alito is on the wrong side of the debate. I hope that all Democrats in Congress stand up to George W Bush and his radical right wing nominee. Sadly, it seems all Republicans are falling in line with Bush and his right wing cronies. We are all disappointed to learn that Senator Collins sold out our values, to vote for Bush's controversial nominee. This is just another example of the Senator siding with George Bush against the best interests of our State. "
In response to the Iraq War resolution, Colwell commented: "President Bush led this country to war, using faulty evidence. There were no weapons of mass destruction and there was no link between Iraq and the September 11th attacks. Now the brave men and women of our military are bogged down in Iraq when they should be out looking for Osama Bin Laden. The majority of Americans understand that we must have a real plan to leave Iraq. It has been nearly three years since President Bush chose to take this country to war and Bush still refuses to articulate any clear vision for a sovereign Iraqi State. We need a responsible prompt withdrawal from Iraq and the Iraqis need to assume responsibility for defending their county. I think Congressman Murtha had it right when he called for a "strategic redeployment from Iraq".
"Our Maine National Guard has served with honor in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world. In fact 82 more of our brave men and women shipped out for Afghanistan on Wednesday. Because of the lack of planning at the federal level, these brave men and women have been forced to serve tour after tour overseas. After our National Guard troops have served bravely in Iraq, we think they should be given some time with their families, not immediately shipped overseas. That is why the Democratic State Committee wants to limit the Federal Government's control over the national guard and instead allow the States greater control over the placement of their National Guard troops."
