Voice of Minnesota: Tom McLaughlin, VFW Legislative Officer

As a follow-up to President Bush’s speech on increasing troops in Iraq, we have asked Tom McLaughlin, the Legislative Officer for the 2nd District of the Minnesota Veterans of Foreign Wars, for his reaction. McLaughlin was able to listen to only part of the President’s speech (due to a meeting conflict) but all of Rep. Tim Walz’s comments in response to the speech on radio station KTOE Thursday morning. Both McLaughlin, who is also a Blue Earth County Commissioner, and Walz live in Mankato.

“Tim [Walz] is holding his course to what he said in his campaign.” The problem is that “there is no direction from Tim” or others who oppose the troop buildup. “No one is answering the question: ‘How can we get out and still avoid a catastrophic bloodbath?’…

“We have the appropriate number of troops to win, but the rules of engagement prohibit us from doing so.” On every engagement “our troops need to secure permission from above…. The insurgents have no rules.”

Why is this happening?

“The military is like a big corporation; you work your way up. The generals aren’t going to risk their careers by mistakes in the field…. If we can’t give the military the power it needs” to conduct the war, “we need to pull out.”

It sounds like you agree with Walz that the President is wrong.

“Yes, but for different reasons.”

For more of McLaughlin’s views on Iraq, go here.