Ogonowski hammers away at Iraq, President Bush

Republican Jim Ogonowski today released a harshly-worded statement on the war in Iraq, saying "the president has completely mishandled the situation."

Ogonowski then called on President Bush to put more demands on the Iraqi government; develop a broader regional coalition to stabilize Iraq; and engage with more diplomatic discussions with countries like Iran and Syria.

He also said the president should solicit the help of three former presidents -- two of the Democrats -- Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton.

In criticizing any plans for immediate withdrawal, he took a swipe at Democrat Niki Tsongas, his chief rival in the Fifth Congressional Race.

"I want to bring all the troops home after we complete our mission of a safe, stable Iraq. That's a big difference between Niki Tsongas and myself," he said. "I want to do it the right way, a gradual drawdown that shifts responsibility to the Iraqi government."

Tsongas supports existing legislation that would set a 9 month timetable for withdrawal, which Ogonowksi criticized as not leaving enough troops to stabilize the area.

"Niki's plan is a lot like sending Tom Brady on the field alone to take on the entire Colts defense," said Ogonowski. "Sure he'll make some big plays -- he always does. But one guy standing up against 11 is going to get clobbered. It doesn't make sense for the Pats to do it and it doesn't make sense for America either."