4 GOP candidates differ on Iraq

Two cite military service; all oppose pullout timetable

By Berny Morson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 07:46 p.m., July 17, 2008
Updated 12:23 a.m., July 18, 2008

* "Success in Iraq equals American security. So I do think it's important that we finish the job and make sure that Iraq is stable, secure and free, ultimately." -Wil Armstrong

* "We have to stop trying to create them in our image. It's not going to work." -Mike Coffman

* "I don't know if we will ever completely leave. We are still in Korea after the Korean War. We're still in Europe." -Ted Harvey

* "If you want to support the troops, don't involve them in endless wars." -Steve Ward

Two Republican congressional candidates who have seen the war in Iraq firsthand don't have simple answers for getting out.

Colorado Secretary of State Mike Coffman and state Sen. Steve Ward, R-Littleton, served with the Marines in the conflict.

They are among four candidates seeking the GOP nomination in Colorado's 6th Congressional District.

Their views on Iraq are far more nuanced - and even passionate - than those of two other candidates in the Aug. 12 GOP primary.

In addition to Ward and Coffman, the candidates are state Sen. Ted Harvey, R-Highlands Ranch, and businessman Wil Armstrong. They have not served in the military.

The district covers Arapahoe, Elbert and Douglas counties, plus parts of Jefferson and Park counties.

Coffman and Ward say their tours in Iraq give them an understanding of a culture that most Americans - and many of their leaders - lack.

"I think we have a naive view that everyone is like us and everyone wants exactly what we want," said Coffman, a retired major who volunteered for duty in 2005 to help Iraqis organize elections. He worked directly with tribal leaders.

Iraqis will have to work out their own version of democracy based on their tribal institutions, Coffman said.

"We have to stop trying to create them in our image. It's not going to work," he said.

Ward, a colonel, has little patience for "chicken hawks," people who are gung ho for the war, but have never served and don't understand the Iraqi culture.

"If you want to support the troops, don't involve them in endless wars," Ward snapped.

War is frequent topic

The war comes up frequently as the candidates meet voters in living rooms or on neighborhood walks.

All of the candidates, including the two Marines, oppose a timetable for withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

Armstrong and Harvey were both early supporters of the war.

But Coffman and Ward said they had early doubts about the Iraq invasion. They were critical of blunders by an administration of their own party that cost American lives.

In interviews, Coffman and Ward offered lengthy answers to questions about Iraq.

Coffman said the other candidates answer more succinctly because "they're going off talking points."

Armstrong said he has "great admiration" for Coffman and Ward.

But, Armstrong said, the problems Iraq will face in coming years are ones where his business skills will count.

"The issues before us in Iraq are going to be issues like rebuilding the economy. . . . Making sure they have the infrastructure so that an economy and freedom can begin to prosper," Armstrong said.

Harvey said, "Mike and Steve have a unique perspective on Iraq because of their honorable service over there and I will never take anything away from them.

"But that does not mean that other folks can't have their own opinions and own perspective and thoughts on how we as a nation should proceed."

Harvey said he would take advice from people who have been to Iraq, such as his brother, who was there for a year with USAID, the relief agency.

Oil distribution issue

Coffman said the future of the U.S. in Iraq is up to the Iraqis, but it could include a small force to counter Iran or the Shiite militias in the south. Those militias, which challenge the authority of the central government, are a problem that must be resolved before a major pullout can begin, Coffman says.

Also to be resolved is distribution of oil revenues among the Sunni and Shiite Arabs and the Kurds, Coffman said.

Another blunder was the disbanding of the Iraqi army, leaving soldiers with no way to feed their families, Coffman said. Many joined the insurgents.

In the future, the United States should not involve the military in nation building, Coffman said. Instead, the U.S. should bolster indigenous forces that oppose dictatorial regimes.

The military's role should involve countering threats from countries such as Iran or China, he said.

Like Coffman, Ward believes more emphasis should be placed on tribal relations in building a new Iraq. The tribes are representative of their people, even if they don't look like American democracy. "Iraqi political culture is extremely well-developed," he said.

Ward said the military alone cannot solve Iraq's problems. Other U.S. agencies must play a role.

Need for benchmarks

For example, the State Department must help the Iraqis create the "benchmarks" that will indicate when the country is stable enough for the U.S. to pull out its troops, such as the law on distributing oil revenue.

"There has to be (an end to the war). This is unsustainable," Ward said. "We need benchmarks. We need milestones.

"I think the American people need them. I think the Iraqi people deserve them and I think more than anything, the troops on the ground deserve them, because the force is being used in ways that a volunteer and reserve force was never intended to be used and the force is exhausted."

Armstrong said he's "proud of the work that our men and women in the military have done."

"I ultimately feel success in Iraq equals American security," Armstrong said. "So I do think it's important that we finish the job and make sure that Iraq is stable, secure and free, ultimately."

"I think in many ways we're getting down the path toward that," he said. The next step is to restore electricity, water and societal institutions such as a finance system and rule of law.

Longtime presence

Armstrong said he wants to be sure Iraq has a strong business base.

"I think that the (direction from) career politicians and frankly some international influences . . . will be to have a lot of regulation and taxes and so forth," he said.

Harvey said that while Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction were never found, "now that we are there, we have to ensure stability in the country and make sure that we win the war."

"We've seen significant changes, and we are on the road to victory," Harvey said. The U.S. must still address Iraq's infrastructure, he said.

"I don't know if we will ever completely leave," Harvey said. "We are still in Korea after the Korean war. We're still in Europe. . . . I'm not going to say we're going to pull out and never be around in the Middle East."

• July 18, 2008

  6:39 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  jbowen43 writes:

  At least Coffman and Ward have a clue. I like Mike. He was a good treasurer but is a lousy Secretary of State. Unlike most republicans he can carry on an intelligent conversation and will listen. A little like Cory Gardner in that respect. If Mr. Armstrong is anything like his dad then the words "conflict of interest" have no meaning for him.

• July 30, 2008

  11:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SlouchingTowardBoulder writes:

  Under Senator Ward's view, anyone who supports our actions in Iraq or Afghanistan but has not worn the uniform is pejoratively cast as a "chicken hawk". Given that this is one of the favorite put-downs of the DailyKos radical left, how is it that Ward believes this will attract voters?

• August 5, 2008

  5:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CPAsheldon writes:

  I do think that we need some additional military experience in Washington, particularly recent Iraq experience. This experience can help Congress put a face on the war for Americans, so that we can know when we have stabilized the country and have won. But we do not want endless wars either. Steve Ward is my choice, because he will ask good questions and propose good solutions, that will end the war and the unnecessary spending sooner. Let's really help our country by electing Steve Ward to Congress in the 6th Congressional District. Go to SteveWardForCongress.com for more information.