Edwards posits her questions for Petraeus

Edwards and others back a withdrawal planIn anticipation of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s testimony today before the U.S. Senate’s Armed Services and Foreign Relations committees, Fourth District Democratic nominee Donna Edwards released her questions for America’s military and civilian commanders in Iraq.

Edwards is a founding member of the group backing "A Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq,” a withdrawal proposal endorsed by 50 Democratic congressional candidates, including Sixth District nominee Jennifer Dougherty.

She asks, “When are you prepared to discuss and implement a multi-tiered approach to Iraq that includes economic, diplomatic, and political options to bring stability and sustainable progress to Iraq?”

Her subsequent questions reflect her belief that the “surge” in military personnel has failed in its political objectives and has had a detrimental effect on global deployment capabilities.

“Has the war in Iraq made the United States safer? Is the current U.S. force level in Iraq covering up the lack of political progress in the country and isn't that troop level unsustainable? Doesn't the violence of the last several weeks demonstrate that the central government is weak and that the Iraqi forces are not trained or prepared to defend against the insurgents?”

Edwards defeated 8-term incumbent Rep. Al Wynn last February partly based on his early support for the invasion of Iraq in 2003.