In First Debate, Lawless Highlights Langevin’s Support for the Republican Agenda on the War in Iraq, Reproductive Freedom, and the Right to Privacy

In first debate, Lawless criticizes Langevin’s lack of strong advocacy on the issues

WARWICK, RI – Jennifer Lawless, candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives from Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, this evening exposed her opponent’s support for the Republican Party’s position on issues ranging from the war in Iraq, to a woman’s right to choose, to the right to privacy. The debate, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, was televised live on Rhode Island PBS (Channel 36) at 8:00 PM.

“From the beginning until now, Representative Langevin has voted almost a dozen times to stay the course in Iraq,” Lawless said. “And that’s just wrong.”

In the debate, Lawless stated: “I’m running for Congress because Rhode Island deserves a Representative who will fight back against the Bush agenda. For six years, Jim Langevin has had the chance to do it, and too often, he hasn’t.”

Lawless criticized Langevin’s votes to support President Bush’s “stay-the-course” strategy in Iraq. Lawless noted that even though Langevin has not been a progressive voice to bring American troops home, he seemed to introduce a new claim in this debate that his position is for bringing the troops home “now.” In response to this claim, Lawless says, “Representative Langevin may claim to be a critic of the war in Iraq, but his record says otherwise. For over a year, I have advocated for a timetable to bring our troops home, while Rhode Island’s Second District has been without a strong voice in Congress. As Rhode Island’s next Representative, I will fight back against the Bush administration where Jim Langevin hasn’t.”

On May 25, 2005, Langevin voted against the majority of Democrats and with the majority of Republicans against setting a timetable to bring our troops home. It is one of over ten votes Langevin has made with the majority of Republicans to support President Bush’s stay-the-course strategy in Iraq.

Added Lawless, “When it comes to holding President Bush accountable for his war in Iraq, a debate day flip-flop isn’t good enough. Representative Langevin has had his chance to lead, and he hasn’t done it. As Iraq sinks into a civil war and more of our honorable men and women are injured or killed, we need someone who leads – someone who will demand our troops come home safely, and soon.”

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