We have given the Iraqi people the greatest gift: freedom. They now must decide what it is they are going to do with this great gift.

Congressman Carney and I are very different in our approach to our military.

When President Bush proposed the surge effort, Congressman Carney took to the floor of the House to question the policy. He then voted against the policy, which has yielded many successes.

The men and women of the military can count on me to always stand with them as their Member of Congress.

Chris Hackett

Senator John McCain has more experience and knowledge in military affairs than any candidate for president since General Eisenhower.

When it comes to America’s vital national security, I would strongly side with him over either Sens. Clinton or Obama.

However, as a member of Congress, I would have a duty to follow my own judgment, regardless of who was president. Regarding the war in Iraq, here is how I see it:

First, we must recognize the nature of our enemy. We must never forget the more than 3,000 innocent Americans murdered by terrorists on Sept. 11, 2001, and we must recognize that those very same terrorist groups and their state-sponsors are fighting us in Iraq. If given the chance, they would strike us again, with even worse consequences. We are doing the right thing in pursuing the terrorists and their sponsors overseas, and that’s one reason our homeland has not been attacked again.

Second, we must give our troops and their commanders the resources, equipment and latitude necessary to achieve their mission. One of the most destructive things Washington politicians can do is attempt to micromanage the war. Worse yet, some in Congress have declared the war lost when our soldiers are still in the field. That’s outrageous.

Third, we must continue to push the Iraqi government to improve its performance so we can safely transfer security responsibilities to them. Our troops should come home at the earliest possible time, but not before we have accomplished our mission and the democratically-elected Iraqi government is stable enough to defend itself against the terrorists.

Our military families are making enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and we owe them a very heavy debt. I believe we best honor them, and best protect our nation, by successfully completing our mission.

Chris Carney