Video: Feingold: Iraq prevented us from handling other threats like Somalia

On NBC's Sunday talk-show Meet the Press, Tim Russert questioned possible 2008 presidential candidate Russ Feingold about the Democratic position on Iraq, following Dick Cheney's intense rhetoric last week.  The Wisconsin Senator explained that getting bogged down in Iraq unfortunately has helped allow an Al Qaeda-friendly government to emerge in Somalia:

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FEINGOLD: "Our number one moral responsibility is to protect the American people; to focus on those who attacked us on 9/11; to not be distracted into a situation where even the Administration did not have Iraq as one of the 45 countries that was connected with Al Qaeda...But the idea of standing up and keeping a military involvement forever in Iraq will actually weaken the American people's ability to go after terrorists, who frankly look like they are taking over Somalia right now.  You know Tim, today it was announced that a guy named Hassan Dahir Aweys is now the head of the government that has taken over in Mogadishu, Somalia.  He is on the State Department's terrorist list.  He is known as an Al Qaeda operative, or somebody that is connected with Al Qaeda.  While we are asleep at the switch; while we are bogged down in Iraq; while we are all focused on Iraq as if it is the be all and end all of our American foreign policy; we are losing the battle to Al Qaeda because we are not paying attention."

Although the Somalia militia that seized Mogadishu says it will negotiate for peace with rivaling groups throughout the country, it is already setting up a anti-democratic government based on the strict teachings of the Sharia (Islamic law).

Feingold is right that we are currently on the defense in Iraq.  Only when we change course and go on the offense against Al Qaeda in other countries can we crush the extremist network.  A pragmatic foreign policy coupled with accountability and real leadership at home is the key to making our country more safe.  Feingold articulated that very well.  He understands, as all of us do, that the longer our forces remain in Iraq, the easier time Al Qaeda will have when it comes to recruiting radical followers.
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Other blogs writing about this issue: Mad Martin's Mutterings and Musings, Feingold for President 2008, Works in Progress, Corrente Wire.