Joe Cunningham: “I do not doubt my friend's concern for the troops. I think that is genuine. However, I do debate the gentleman's point…”

“I do not doubt my friend's concern for the troops. I think that is genuine. However, I do debate the gentleman's point on the war. I will be specific. First of all, there is no doubt, no doubt whatsoever that Saddam Hussein has contacts and is utilizing al Qaeda within Iraq. Just attend some of the intelligence briefings. Second, as a combat veteran, the troops, sure, when we flew in Vietnam, we wanted to come home; but we also wanted to do our job. If we talk to the embedded reporters and listen to our men and women overseas, they want to finish the job, I would tell the gentleman. Secondly, on the Subcommittee on Defense of the Committee on Appropriations, the gentleman's amendment does not bring the troops home. We are already spending fourth-quarter dollars. What the gentleman wants to do is not be able to even replenish those, which would weaken the state of national security in the long run. I would tell the gentleman that Saddam Hussein today pays $5,000 to a family in Palestine that will take their 15-year-old child and blow themselves up in Israel. We have lost American citizens in that. I do not think we want to let that go. If we listen to Saddam Hussein, he says he will attack us in the air, the sea, and the land. I would ask the gentleman to project Saddam Hussein, if we pull our troops back, project someone like this 5 years from now with a nuclear weapon.”