The Republican Congress before November 2006 had a contradictory policy where they were creating more Veterans through the Iraq quagmire even as they were cutting Veterans benefits. This led many Veterans organizations, including the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, the Retired Enlisted Association and the Disabled American Veterans, to abandon the Republican Party. This sure helped Democrats win some very close races.

One of those close races was in New Hampshire where Carol Shea-Porter narrowly defeated an incumbent Republican. Now Shea-Porter is one of several freshman Reps who have visited Iraq to see for themselves what's up and who combine opposition to the Iraq quagmire with support for our Veterans.

This comes from the New Hampshire Democratic Party:

Rep. Shea-Porter reports back from Iraq: Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter settled back into her work on Capitol Hill last week after an official four-day fact-finding trip to Iraq. Rep. Shea-Porter is on the Armed Services Committee.

Shea-Porter and her colleagues met with several of the top-ranking U.S. military commanders in Iraq, including General David Petraeus, Commander of the Multi-National Force -- Iraq, and Major General Joseph Fil, Commanding General of the Multi-National Division -- Baghdad. The delegation also met with Dr. Marouf Al-Bakhit, Prime Minister of Jordan, David Hale, US Ambassador to Jordan, U.S. embassy officials in Baghdad, Iraqi female political leaders, and key members of Iraqi Women's Non-Governmental Organizations.
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