Well.. I never thought it would happen but Jean Schmidt has actually blinked on Iraq.

When I first heard that the group “Americans Against Escalation In Iraq” was campaigning in the district to get Congresswoman Schmidt to drop her support for the invasion and continued occupation of Iraq, I thought to myself good luck with that one. I’ve never seen a more diehard supporter of President Bush’s policy in Iraq than Jean Schmidt.

Here’s what Schmidt was saying two years ago when she was running against Iraq veteran Paul Hackett:

I have been traveling around the district for the last four months, telling the folks that I’ve met that I stand shoulder to shoulder with President Bush on the war on terror, and as your representative in Congress I’ll work with Congress and the President to finish the job in Iraq and make sure we continue to take the battle to the terrorists, so they don’t create another 9-11 and bring that battle here.

And here’s what she’s saying now:

No one wants to be at war. War is an action of last resort. I was not in Congress when our country voted to go to war. Like most, I am not happy with our pace of progress. However, having now traveled to Iraq and Afghanistan twice and met with dozens of foreign diplomats the only current choice we have is to finish the mission. That is not the easiest choice but it is the only one that will lead to a safer region and world. I do not defend the mistakes that have been made in the past.

Hey… it isn’t her fault. It’s not like she would have voted for it if she was a member of Congress then. SNARK Suddenly Mrs Cowards Cut and Run is cutting and running for her own passionate support for President Bush. Talk about rats from a sinking ship.

I must say that I am impressed. In a few short weeks Americans Against Escalation in Iraq has gotten Schmidt’s chief cheerleader in the House to stab our President right in the back.

The group will be having an organization meeting 6:30pm this Thursday, July 12th at the Hyde Park Branch Library, 2747 Erie Street, Cincinnati.

Perhaps with a little work we can get Schmidt to put as much passion into bringing our men and women home from Iraq as she does in fighting the delays in her weekly commute.