Topeka — Always a strong supporter of the war in Iraq, U.S. Rep. Jim Ryun, a Republican from Lawrence, on Monday said he saw nothing to change his mind during his first visit this weekend to the war-torn region.
"It's important that we stay," Ryun said during a telephone news conference with House Majority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and several other congressmen.
The group of five Republicans and one Democrat was in Jordan on Saturday, Iraq on Sunday and back in Spain on Monday, according to Boehner.
Despite escalating violence in Iraq, members of the group said progress was being made and the United States must stay.
Boehner said that during meetings, some high-level Iraq officials expressed apprehension that the United States' commitment to the war was decreasing.
"We did our best to ensure them we are committed to the success of this operation. This is no time to walk away from them," Boehner said.
Ryun said the trip enabled him to look into the eyes of soldiers and Iraqi government officials. He said he saw dedication to the effort of rebuilding a government.
Jim Ryun, R-Kan., far right, attends a news conference with other U.S. representatives Monday at the fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq. From left are: Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, Rick Larsen of Washington, deputy speaker of the Iraqi Parliament Khalid al-Attiyah, majority leader John Boehner, Devin Nunes of California, and Jim Saxton of New Jersey.
He said that Iraqis realize many people in the United States are impatient with the war, but that progress was being made.
Nancy Boyda, a Democrat who is challenging Ryun in the second congressional district, which includes west Lawrence, said U.S. citizens need clear answers to what is going on in Iraq and how long the commitment will be.
"The American people back our soldiers and back our troops, but unfortunately there has never been a plan to win this war," Boyda said.
"After we took Baghdad, there was no plan to handle the insurgency. The American people have seen so much incompetence at this point they want more than just 'stay the course,'" she said.
Rep. Jim Saxton, R-N.J., said he believed that by the end of the year some American troops, currently about 127,000 in Iraq, could start coming home after having adequately trained Iraqis to take their place to maintain security.
"There is a plan for disengagement," Saxton said. "I would call it the training and replacement strategy."
When asked about that, Ryun said any timeline for troop withdrawals must be made by "generals on the ground."
In addition to Ryun, Boehner and Saxton, others on the trip were U.S. Reps. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., and Rick Larsen, D-Wash.
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mooseamoose (anonymous) says…
Ryun might actually be dumber than the president. Job well done Congressman Stupidpants.
Lonestar1 (anonymous) says…
I wonder if the Congressman would feel the same if his childern were driving past roadside bombs each day?
yourworstnightmare (anonymous) says…
"When asked about that, Ryun said any timeline for troop withdrawals must be made by "generals on the ground"."
Unless of course those generals' views contradict the dogma and ideology of the Bush administration. These guys respect the opinions of "generals on the ground" about as much as they respect scientific fact, which is not at all if it conflicts with their ideology.
feefifofum (anonymous) says…
"I wonder if the Congressman would feel the same if his childern were driving past roadside bombs each day?"
Hey, they have to drive around in Topeka - isn't that enough of a risk ?
Avoyda Boyda when voting this fall.
ronwell_dobbs (anonymous) says…
I can't think of one single issue or item that we can credit Jim Ryun with leading the charge on or lending some intellectual effort to in the entire time he has been in Congress. If the GOP wants to continue its unchallenged presense in KS, it had better start forwarding better candidates that Forrest Gump.
ronwell_dobbs (anonymous) says…
I can't think of one single issue or item that we can credit Jim Ryun with leading the charge on or lending some intellectual effort to in the entire time he has been in Congress. If the GOP wants to continue its unchallenged presense in KS, it had better start forwarding better candidates than Forrest Gump.
erichaar (anonymous) says…
I'd like to thank Congressman Ryun for leading the effort to save Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and Forbes Field from BRAC (Base Realignment And Closure). He saved thousands of jobs and helped to keep much of the economy of the 2nd District intact.
Jamesaust (anonymous) says…
I guess I had expected a headline sort of like:
"What Hath Ryun Wrought"?
What the LJW doesn't report is that the first comments made on the ground to Ryun were:
"Where have you been all these years, Jim?"
Hmm....one would almost not guess that Ryun has children of military age.
gaiapapaya (anonymous) says…
I think Ryun has daughters. Nice, traditional girls who don't date but instead participate in courtship arranged by their father. There is no way there are going to Iraq. Unless it's for some photo-op deal like this.
feefifofum (anonymous) says…
Are Ryun's parents still alive? Why not fire some shots at them too! After all, "They" are responsible for putting him out here in the first place.
Can he force his kids to join the military? Can we make all the grad students in Lawrence to join up too?
Oh, the 60s - those were the good old days when Democrats were in flower.
sibkiss (anonymous) says…
I have been writing to Jim Ryun for a few years now, giving him my views and demands, urging him to vote for what I think is best for Kansans and the US. He has replied each time, and I think he is someone who can be influenced by the people.
Everyone who is for stopping the war - Keep the pressure on him to get US out of Iraq and save face and lives in the process. This is all part of setting up the Middle Eastern Union, and I think they are going to use Iraq as military staging ground for attacks on any countries that don't tow the UN line into assimilation.
The_Twelve (anonymous) says…
"The group of five Republicans and one Democrat was in Jordan on Saturday, Iraq on Sunday and back in Spain on Monday, according to Boehner."
"Ryun said the trip enabled him to look into the eyes of soldiers and Iraqi government officials."
Oh the stupidity of the man--thinking he can figure everything out by a visit over the weekend! Why do we have to put up with this crap?
He should take the time and look into MY eyes (if he has the guts and the money)--and tell me what he sees.