Strimling take Pingree to task for Iraq war stance

First District Congressional Candidate Ethan Strimling has called one of his opponents "inconsistent" on her Iraq war position, accusing her of "sending mixed messages".

In a statement released by the campaign, Mr. Strimling refers to a recent dust up in which Pingree made several public appearances and pronouncements supporting a withdrawal plan. The Strimling campaign has pointed out that Pingree has said she favors and an immediate end to the war, yet she also signed on to a plan that withdraws troops and reduces US involvement over a period of time. That plan is known as the Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq.

Strimling also took the opportunity to point out that Adam Cote also favors a more gradual draw down of the troops, which, Strimling claims, puts him at odds with the current office holder, Tom Allen. Candidates Mike Brennan, and Mark Lawrence are closely aligned with the Strimling position on the Iraq war. 

As I have said before, this is a gamble for all of the candidates. There is no clear public sentiment on next steps for the war in Iraq: stay the course, finish the job, get out now, and a time table for withdrawal, are all vying for dominance with a confused public. At the end of the day-in a six-way primary election -- it will most likely be about turn out, money, name I.D. and the ground game, as it almost always is.

Strimling closes his statement by noting, "The last thing we need in Washington are politicians who talk out of both sides of their mouths, or offer more of the same. We need a change because Washington just doesn't get it."

If that was actually "the last thing we need in Washington" there would be a lot of empty seats.