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Send Wolfowitz to Iraq, Says GOP Lawmaker

May 29, 2007 1:12 PM

Send_wolfowitz__mn Paul Wolfowitz may have been ousted from his post at the World Bank, but a free-speaking GOP lawmaker has an idea to keep the so-called "architect" of the Iraq War from standing in the unemployment line.

"I would like to suggest...that maybe we give Paul Wolfowitz a new job and send him over [to Iraq] as mayor," said Rep. Walter Jones, R-N.C., "since the neocons got us in over there."

As deputy secretary of defense from 2000 to 2005, Wolfowitz helped develop the strategy and public rationale for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. He publicly stated that coalition troops would be greeted as liberators, and the nation of Iraq would be largely capable of financing its own rebuilding through oil revenues.

Wolfowitz announced his resignation as president of the World Bank last week after a bank panel found he had violated the terms of his contract by setting up a lucrative pay and promotion package for his girlfriend, Shaha Riza.

Wolfowitz has defended the pay package, telling the bank's investigative committee he was trying to avoid a potential lawsuit from Riza.

Jones, a one-time Democrat who switched his party affiliation for the Republicans' 1994 takeover of Congress, is best known as the one-time staunch Iraq war supporter who called for the House of Representatives' cafeteria to rename its French fries "freedom fries" to protest France's unwillingness to join the operation.

The cafeteria assented, going so far as to rename their French toast "freedom toast."

In 2005, Jones switched his position on both the war and the fries. Earlier this month, he was one of just two House Republicans who voted in favor of a Democratic proposal to bring U.S. troops home from Iraq by September 2008.

Jones made his comment at a House Armed Services Subcommittee hearing last week.

Jennifer Parker contributed to this report.

Do you have a tip for Brian Ross and the Investigative Team?

May 29, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (83)

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is this farce?

Posted by: owl | May 29, 2007 4:49:48 PM

He'd probably accept only on the condition that his girlfriend Shaha be given some high-paying cush job in, say, the Oil Ministry or at Haliburton or something - same difference, right? Oh wait; she dumped him, didn't she? Something about not wanting to be seen trading sex with a powerful man for lucrative living-in-sin nepotism? Of course, she dumped him just as he lost power, so I suppose that proves she really wasn't doing that or that he wasn't basically engaged in taxpayer-funded prostitution of one sort or another.

Well, never mind then, I guess :)

Posted by: speedtats | May 29, 2007 4:51:46 PM

All of those who avoided service during the Vietnam era, yet advocated this war should be sent over--Wolfowitz, Cheney and the Prez himself. I just got an e-mail from a young friend who is being sent on his third tour of Iraq later this year--back to Neocon's brainless bloodbath. I can't see how even one American can still support this horrible, unnecessary war.

Posted by: bluedem | May 29, 2007 5:06:03 PM

send all the Republicans over there...this is their war...they chose war when they chose Bush/Cheney, not once, but twice...

twice...

Posted by: Hawk | May 29, 2007 5:12:22 PM

The idea is great, but Rep. Jones sounds like a complete hypocrite (which seems pretty typical for the GOP these days): for the war/against the war, hates the French/likes the French, supports George Bush/votes against George Bush, in favor of the Iraq invasion/wants the troops brought home, etc, etc. It's one of the (mulitude) of reasons why the GOP is a minority in Congress today. And I couldn't be happier.

Posted by: babsbush | May 29, 2007 5:13:00 PM

Do not forget Sean Hannaty, Ann coulter and of course
Billo......

Posted by: AM | May 29, 2007 5:13:02 PM

Ahem... One is mayor of a city, and Iraq is a country. Send that Freedom Fries clown over with him.

Posted by: dayenta | May 29, 2007 5:21:17 PM

It would be nice if the congressman's web site allowed non-district citizens to email him. As a New York Dem, I tried, in vain, to sent him a most pleasant and congratulatory note. Impossible. His email only allows voting constituents to contact him.

Sounds at great deal like our Prersident who only allows those who agree to attend his "Town Meetings".

Pity.

Posted by: Jim fine | May 29, 2007 5:21:30 PM

Why not just move our capitol to Bagdad that will guarantee that terrorist will never come to USA and leave us common folks alone and yes troop will be home too.

Posted by: smsaifee | May 29, 2007 5:36:26 PM

Better yet, make him the Barney Fife of Bagdad.

Posted by: Alan Christensen | May 29, 2007 5:38:01 PM

How about Shaha Riza? How is her Arabic?

Posted by: suvro | May 29, 2007 5:40:39 PM

Great idea. Send the whole Bush crew over there. Bush can be chief Decider, Cheney and Rove, Vice Decider and Secretary of Sectarian Peace. It should all work out very well over he next 20 years or so, as they straighten up the whole country.

Posted by: Bill Henderson | May 29, 2007 5:41:57 PM

One problem, Iraq is a democracy. But Americans are still pretty arrogant with the idea that we can do what we want with other countries.

Posted by: Ana Maria | May 29, 2007 6:30:23 PM

I am the first person who posted a message on this board suggesting that Mr. Wolfowitz be sent to Iraq. These thugs have destroyed America's image in all shape and form.

Posted by: Ekanem | May 29, 2007 6:58:00 PM

They should send Walter "Freedom Fries" Jones to Iraq for being an idiot.

The Freedom Fries thing had to be one of the most embarassing aspects of the amazingly embarassing last 7 years in our country.

Posted by: mrefu | May 29, 2007 7:14:20 PM

Can I join this past of Wolfowitz. Ee couls call it a french reoast

Posted by: jquin | May 29, 2007 7:24:52 PM

I thought Rudy Giuliani was Mayor of Iraq.

Oh, wait: he's "America's Mayor." When the hell was that vote taken?

Posted by: J. Lewd | May 29, 2007 8:00:51 PM

Many of us continue to ask, "where are the Bush twins," as well as Kristol's daughters, Cheney's girls, etc.

If this is such a frantically important issue, why aren't these kids, and other warmongers, racing down to the recruitment offices?

Posted by: Mauimom | May 29, 2007 8:10:32 PM

Let's cut Jones some slack. He's the only Republican that attended a hearing held by the Democratic minority last fall which featured generals ripping Rumsfeld for his failed leadership.

Posted by: mr | May 29, 2007 8:12:41 PM

I'll up your ante congressman. How about we draft all Republicans for the Iraq war, so we can focus on the war on terror on Afghanistan, Somalia, etc. Nation building isn't as vital as winning the war on terror. Something the wimpy right has failed at. Never let the jackals on the right defend this country, unless you enjoy failure!

Posted by: TinkyWinky | May 29, 2007 8:59:22 PM

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