SARASOTA, FL - Today marks the beginning of our country's sixth year in the Iraq War.  Yet, even as the badly planned and misguided war enters its sixth year, Congressman Vern Buchanan continues to be a reliable Rubber Stamp for President Bush's failed stay-the-course approach and consistently blocks a responsible New Direction to the war.

"We are now in our sixth year of the Iraq War -- we've lost nearly 4,000 brave American soldiers and spent more than half a trillion dollars," said Christine Jennings, candidate for Congress from Florida's 13th Congressional District.  "We need to invest in our needs here at home and cut taxes for seniors and middle class families but Vern Buchanan continues his lock-step support of President Bush's failed policies."
 
In April 2007, Vern Buchanan visited Iraq and called our country's actions "Mission Impossible" after his trip.  Yet, on every vote that would change direction in Iraq, Buchanan has voted in lock-step with President Bush. 

"I've opposed the Iraq War since the beginning," Jennings continued. "If elected to Congress, I will do what Vern Buchanan has refused to - support a responsible redeployment of our troops, force the Iraqi government to take responsibility for the security of their own country, and rebuild our military." 

Costs of the Iraq War

• So far Congress has appropriated $526 Billion to fund the war in Iraq. [Congressional Research Service; 2/22/08 [1]].

• The total cost of the war is estimated to top $3 trillion. [Washington Post; 3/9/08 [2]]
• According to the National Priorities Project, the war in Iraq has so far cost the taxpayers of Florida's 13th Congressional District $1.2 billion, which could otherwise be invested in providing people with affordable health care, building new schools, and investing in renewable energy.  [http://www.nationalpriorities.org/tradeoffs [3]].