Guilford alumnus Howard Coble (’53) is the first member of Congress to publicly suggest an Iraqi war withdrawal. According to the News and Record, “Howard Coble has been unhappy for a long time about the war in Iraq.”
The Greensboro resident and Republican congressman has been pushing for a “pull-out,” or at least consideration of the issue.
This is controversial because of Coble’s long-time support of the current U.S. government.
In a recent interview with The Guilfordian on Jan. 14, Coble clarified this statement.
“We did not go in prepared,” Coble said “There was never a plan for withdrawal from the beginning.” Coble does not have a plan
of his own, and does not intend to propose one.
He argues, “the idea should be put on the table for consideration.”
When questioned as to his motives for this statement, Coble answered that it was a variety of things. He said that he was “fed up with picking up the newspaper and reading that we’ve lost another five or 10 of our young men and women in Iraq.”
Also, the opinions of his constituents have changed, and he must act on their behalf.
“This is exactly what Congress should be doing in our system of government,” said Assistant Professor of Political Science Kyle Dell. “Coble’s remarks reflect the fact that party unity and discipline continue to decline in American politics.”
Former employees of Coble’s campaign Deborah and Marshall Hurley,agree with his position on this matter.
While both support the invasion by our current government and the removal of Saddam Hussein, they feel American troops need to return.
“It was right to take Saddam out; now we need to take ourselves out,” said Coble.
When questioned on the assumed time frame for a withdrawal of troops from Iraq, Coble said “I have no answer for this question.”
Coble won his last congressional election by almost a 3-1 margin and has served 10 terms in office. According to the Free Republic News, 31 men and women from Howard Coble’s district, the sixth , have died so far in the war on Iraq. According to Coble, we’ve done our share.
“We got rid of Saddam the snake. Now it’s time to let the Iraqis take care of the snake pit,” said Coble.