We need more men like this. Lots more.

Abercrombie says forget about Iraq surge funds

The Army falls under his impending House panel chairmanship

WASHINGTON » U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie is warning the Bush administration that the new Democratic-controlled Congress will not appropriate more money for a “surge” of new troops into Iraq.

Abercrombie made his comments two days before President Bush is set to tell the nation about new plans for addressing the Iraq war.

In an interview in his Washington office, Abercrombie said Bush should not expect help from the Democrats, who now control the House and Senate.

“We are not going to fund any surges. We are not going to support expanding this war,” Abercrombie said.

The Hawaii Democrat’s words have added importance because on Thursday, Abercrombie is expected to be named chairman of the Armed Forces subcommittee dealing with the Army and Air Force.

Congress, Abercrombie said, “will continue to support the troops, which our budget already does.”

But Abercrombie warned that “we have no intention of trying to support political policies in the guise of support for the troops.”
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Yesterday, Abercrombie was particularly critical of Rice, the former national security adviser, whom Abercrombie described as “the most overrated, underperforming individual in executive authority that I have ever seen.”

“She constantly gets a pass. Who knows if the whole question of race and gender come into it, but … I can’t account for it, except to say she isn’t up to the mark,” Abercrombie said. Rice is scheduled to testify before the Senate.
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“My question for Gates? What do they propose to do now? That was not obvious four years ago, and what will they propose that is different from the wrong path they have been following all these years?” Abercrombie said.

Source: Star Bulletin