By Don Shilling (Contact)
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Sen. George V. Voinovich, R-Ohio
By Don Shilling
Ohio’s senior U.S. senator said it’s time to begin taking troops out of Iraq.
HOWLAND — U.S. Sen. George Voinovich opposed Sen. John McCain on some issues during a local visit but still stressed his support for the Republican presidential candidate.
Voinovich, R-Ohio, spoke Monday to a gathering of Regional Chamber members and was asked by an audience member why he was supporting McCain despite some differences on policy.
“John is authentic and has good character,” Voinovich said. “To me, that’s the most important thing.”
Voinovich was clear in saying that troops should be removed from Iraq.
“We need to get the hell out of Iraq. Do you hear me?” Voinovich said to a smattering of applause from some of the 150 in attendance at Leo’s Ristorante here.
He said the country can’t afford to keep troops in Iraq, and that it’s time to begin a gradual withdrawal of troops. The United States should tell countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates that it’s time for them to get involved, he added.
McCain’s position is that troops should remain in Iraq until the country is capable of governing itself and protecting its citizens.
Voinovich also said the federal government can’t cut taxes and reduce the national deficit. McCain has said he would like reductions in federal income rates that were passed in 2001 and 2003 to be made permanent. Those reductions, and some other tax breaks, are set to expire in 2010.
Voinovich said he supports reforming the tax system to take a new look at what should be taxed and what shouldn’t. The national debt continues to grow because too many members of Congress are ignoring it, he said.
“I’m worried about the legacy we’re going to leave our kids. What kind of standard of living are they going to have?” he asked.
While calling for reduced deficit spending, Voinovich defended the use of earmarks in spending bills. Earmarks are funds that Congress provides for projects without using a competitive process.
Voinovich said he has used earmarks to help Ohio. Funding certain projects “galvanizes communities,” he said.
McCain’s campaign site said he does not ask for earmarks and believes they take away from Congress’ abilities to address national priorities.
In other matters, Voinovich explained why he joined with the effort last week to stop a climate-warming bill from advancing in the Senate.
He said he doesn’t support any effort for the U.S. to adopt climate safeguards on its own. China’s energy usage is growing so fast that it doesn’t make sense to take unilateral steps, he said.
The senator called for an international partnership that would challenge the brightest minds in the world to develop usable energy sources that wouldn’t harm the environment.
He also called on the U.S. to make a “second declaration of independence.” The nation should stop relying on foreign energy in order to protect its national security and economic competitiveness, he said.
He called for drilling in U.S. areas that have been declared off limits for environmental reasons and more research into alternative fuel sources. “I’d like 10 to 15 years from now for my children to be driving plug-in vehicles,” he said.
shilling@vindy.com