Kirk Campaign Asks Giannoulias to Clarify Afghanistan Position
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 After Giannoulias blames America ’s budget deficit on Afghan war, spokesperson says Giannoulias meant U.S. hasn’t spent enough on the war
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Kirk spokesperson: “Voters should be extremely concerned that a candidate for the United States Senate has offered two completely contradictory views in less than 24 hours on the most important national security issue facing our country.â€
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Northbrook , IL. – The Kirk for Senate campaign today (May 13) called on Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias to set the record straight on his position regarding Operation Enduring Freedom after he and his campaign spokesperson offered two different realities on his views.
During an appearance on Fox Chicago yesterday morning, Giannoulias said, “We went from record budget surpluses to doubling the national debt by going into two wars we didn’t need.â€Â Â
But this morning, the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Giannoulias spokeswoman Kathleen Strand said Giannoulias “meant to criticize Kirk for not supporting adequate funding for the war in Afghanistan .â€Â Strand’s remark fundamentally contradicts Giannoulias’ previous statement and levies a false accusation against Congressman Mark Kirk, a Navy Reserve officer who served in Afghanistan .
“Yesterday Alexi Giannoulias suggested our country wasted money on the war in Afghanistan and today his campaign spokesperson says Alexi really meant we should be spending more money on the war,†Kirk campaign spokesperson Kirsten Kukowski said. “Voters should be extremely concerned that a candidate for the United States Senate has offered two completely contradictory views in less than 24 hours on the most important national security issue facing our country. Alexi Giannoulias owes the people of Illinois an explanation for his competing points of view — one that actually demonstrates a grasp of fundamental public policy.â€
Congressman Kirk, a Commander in the Navy Reserve, served in Kandahar , Afghanistan from December 2008 to January 2009 and again from December 2009 to January 2010. The congressman was a vocal supporter of President Obama’s Afghan surge.