Some rapid response from the Hackett for Congress campaign:

HACKETT CALLS FOR ACTION, NOT LIP SERVICE IN IRAQ

OHIO – Paul Hackett, 43, is a U.S. Marine Corps Major who volunteered to go to Iraq and is now a candidate for Congress in Ohio. He is the first Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom to seek a Congressional bid, and returning from Iraq on March 18th of this year after a standard Marine Corps tour, he is the most credible person in the political arena to comment on how to complete the mission there.

“No more lip service,” demands Hackett. “We need a specific plan to complete the mission in Iraq. My plan is simple: Match each Iraqi unit to an American unit. They will eat together, sleep together, train together and fight together. Our Americans will be a constant example of how professional soldiers conduct themselves. By making this commitment we can successfully exit Iraq once the roughly 140,000 Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are adequately trained and skilled enough to defend their government,” Hackett stated. I was in Iraq three months ago and we were teaching Iraqi soldiers by assigning four American advisors to a battalion of Iraqis. The advisors are qualified, but there are not enough of them. You would not send your kid to a school where 500 students learn from only four teachers.”

“I volunteered to serve and to go to Iraq. I have no regrets. I know the reality of the situation there. The Iraqi people are grateful that we eliminated their brutal dictator. They are capable of running their own government and building a democracy. It won’t look like ours; nor should it. In order for them to succeed, we must not withdraw our troops before the Iraqis are ready to stand on their own,” said Hackett. “We must make the commitment and fulfill our responsibility. However our leaders cannot paint a rosy picture and expect us to believe it. This war is costing billions of tax dollars and countless American lives. Let’s train the Iraqi soldiers properly and do it now. I don’t want my sons and daughter to have to go fight this war in 20 years,” Hackett finished.

Major Paul Hackett rejoined the Select Marine Corps Reserve with the 4th Civil Affairs Group on July 23rd, 2004, and Participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom II, 1st Marine Division, in Ramadi, Iraq. He also participated in the invasion of Fallujah, in charge of the Fallujah Liaison Team. He was also proud to play a role in the Iraqi Elections on January 30, 2005.