• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / News / Latham and Boswell talk Afghanistan in 3rd debate

Latham and Boswell talk Afghanistan in 3rd debate

October 12, 2012 By O. Kay Henderson

The two incumbent Iowa congressmen who’re running against one another this fall would, under certain conditions, support bringing U.S. troops home from Afghanistan tomorrow. Republican Congressman Tom Latham and Democratic Congressman Leonard Boswell debated last night in Council Bluffs.

Latham voiced concern that U.S. troops are required to operate under rules of engagement that do not allow them to protect themselves.

“I honestly think that unless we actually are there to fight to win, that we pull out tomorrow,” Latham said, “because we can go after the people that we want — the al Qaida Taliban, the threats to the U.S. — with other covert operations, with drones, things like that, rather that put our men and women in jeopardy.”

Boswell mentioned a meeting he and other congressmen had with the president of Afghanistan a year ago. “You know, I said to him then: ‘We have shown you some possibilities of what you can do. We’re willing to help train your army. We’re willing to help you train your police, but you have to decide. You’re kind of at a fork in the road, Mr. Karzi. do you want to go back to where you were or do you want to go on and have the opportunity that you have ?” Boswell said. “And I said this to him: ‘It’s time to bring our troops home.'”

In terms of domestic policy, Boswell repeated his call for a hike in the federal gas tax, to address the country’s crumbling transportation infrastructure. “We’re falling very much behind,” Boswell said, “and so I think across the country and certainly on the infrastructure committee, we can’t keep up commerce-wise, we can’t move people if we don’t do those things and we certainly don’t want people to fall through a bridge like they did in Minnesota.”

Latham opposes a federal gas tax increase. “I just think this is the wrong time,” Latham said. “And how that really penalizes us here in a rural state where a lot of folks have to drive 10, 15, 20 miles to work. They can’t get on a subway like they can in New York.” The two congressmen have debated three times this week.

Last night’s debate was sponsored and broadcast by Iowa Public Television. It will be replayed this evening at 7:30 and again at noon on Sunday.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: News, Politics / Govt Tagged With: Democratic Party, Leonard Boswell, Republican Party, Tom Latham

Featured Stories

Iowa Supreme Court overturns ruling creating constitutional abortion right

Iowa’s governor launches $100 million school safety plan

Urbandale teacher crowned Miss Iowa

DOT taking input on proposed electric vehicle charging network

Glidden man cleared in poaching case, questions DNR tactics

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

AJ Green signs with Milwaukee

Iowa to host Georgia Tech in ACC/Big Ten Challenge

Iowa State adds a defensive back

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/20/22

Radio Iowa/Baseball Coaches Association High School Poll 6/13/22

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2022 ยท Learfield News & Ag, LLC