Jim Inhofe: “I am always distressed with the media and the way they are misrepresenting what is going on in Iraq, and particularly…”

“I am always distressed with the media and the way they are misrepresenting what is going on in Iraq, and particularly the accomplishments this last weekend. It is hard to believe. On Saturday, the Iraqi Parliament, which was elected last December, convened to fill the top Government leadership positions. Exemplifying the democratic traditions beginning to take root in Iraq, the Iraqi Parliament successfully negotiated these nominees, clearing the way for the first permanent, popularly elected Government in Iraq's history. The first permanent, popularly elected Government in Iraq's history-- that is mind boggling. In addition, I want to commend our soldiers in the theater. Without their brave efforts, this progress would have been impossible. I just returned from my 11th trip to the Iraqi AOR. I come back, and I remember the stories that are told by our different troops there. Some of the things they come up with are amazing--the anecdotal things, stories that are comparable to the stories we heard back during World War II. American soldiers continue to clear out terrorist strongholds, allowing democracy a chance to flourish. The accomplishments of American soldiers have permitted Iraqis the opportunity to vote and elect a parliament that has now produced leaders of this nation's national unity government. It has been a long road getting to this point, and we have further to go. There are some major hurdles these new leaders must keep in mind.…”