Trip to Iraq an eye-opener for McHenry

U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry is in Iraq, and he likes what he sees.

“Locals are reopening their markets, and roads are opening,” McHenry said during a press conference call Saturday afternoon. “And I think you can see that the surge is working.”

McHenry, whose 10th District includes the southern third of Iredell County, was alluding to an increase of U.S. troops during the past year in the parts of Iraq where the most violent acts of insurgency had taken place.

He said the congressional trip to Iraq - a bipartisan delegation that included members of the House Armed Services Committee and other representatives - was an eye-opener.

“I came here with a brief understanding of the sacrifices the men and women in the Armed Forces are making,” McHenry said. “But when you actually meet them, you see their deep sense of commitment.”

McHenry said he met Muslim leaders leaders and garnered a better knowledge of the nuances between the Shiite and Sunni sects of Islam.

He also met with with representatives from Sadr City, a suburb of Baghdad, and was impressed with how the meeting went.

“We wanted to make sure the Iraqi people and the government are stepping up and taking back their country,” he said. “And we want to make sure that no American dies in vain.”

McHenry also talked about a meeting he had with Gen. David Howell Petraeus, commanding general of the Multi-National Force in Iraq.

“General Petraeus was very candid about the challenges we face,” McHenry said. “He said we would maintain conditions-based troop levels.”

McHenry said Petraeus confirmed the belief held by many that the troop surge has been effective.

“He said that the attacks and loss of life was down from last year and that it appears that the surge is working. He also laid out the strategy to obtain stability.”

And obtaining stability, McHenry said, is essentially the definition of victory in Iraq.

“When that happens, there will be benefits to the United States and to the world,” McHenry said.

However, McHenry - who has been a supporter of the war during his three years in Congress - would not answer a question regarding whether or not the decision to invade Iraq was a good one.

“The reality is that we’re here,” he said.

He also wouldn’t comment on when he and the other congressional delegates would be returning to the U.S.

Fifth District Rep. Virginia Foxx made a congressional visit to Iraq in August 2006 and said it was a good experience.

“My recollection is that we talked to the troops and they told us they thought things were going well,” she said. “We also traveled to several parts of the country and things seemed to be fine there. We did not see any violence at all, and it was a good trip.”

But Hickory attorney Daniel Johnson, a Democratic candidate for McHenry’s seat, is not sure trips like this are necessary.

“I think a lot of politicians like to have their pictures taken with the soldiers in Iraq,” Johnson said.

Johnson, a decorated former Naval officer who lost both his legs saving the life of a fellow sailor, said too much attention has been paid to the war in Iraq.

“Iraq is one front on the war on terror,” he said. “And the question becomes, ‘Do we have enough troops and forces to deal with the other fronts?’ ”

Johnson said he believes the Taliban has been able to “re-establish a foothold” in Afghanistan.

“And al-Qaida, the people responsible for 9/11, are still out there,” he said.

Johnson said trips like the one made by McHenry are valuable only if “new” information can be gathered.

“But my concern is that too many politicians are going over there for the photo ops,” he said.

Posted on 03/25/08 at 10:23 AM
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