Northern Virginia Daily
June 7, 2008

WINCHESTER — Democratic voters in the 10th House District have a choice of two candidates when they go the polls on Tuesday.

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Mike Turner, a retired Air Force colonel, is making his first run for political office.

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"She's a lifetime academic and think-tank consultant. She had one moment in the sun. That was Hillary Clinton's health care plan in 1994," Turner said.

Mark Dewey
Blue Ridge Leader
June 6, 2008

“The federal government has no business meddling directly in your life,” says Mike Turner, who wants to represent us in the federal government, “but it has an obligation to entice you to behave in a way that’s better for all in the long run.”

Turner is one of two Democratic candidates vying for the chance to unseat veteran congressman Frank Wolf in the November general election.

“Lee Atwater and Karl Rove elevated winning above service in the early 90s,” Turner said in an interview on May 24. “Now we have to go back to service with a willingness to entertain all sides of an issue for the greater good.”

Turner has been involved in service of one kind or another since he was 17 years old, much of it military service. During his 28 years in the Air Force, Turner flew air rescue helicopters and three different kinds of fighter planes before being assigned to the United States Central Command in 1988. He served as General Norman Schwarzkopf’s personal briefing officer during Desert Storm, and as a policy planner for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reporting to General Wesley Clark. Since retiring from the Air Force, Turner has worked as a fundraiser for national nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross.

He has also written commentaries for Newsweek and National Public Radio. On March 11, 2003, nine days before the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Turner urged the Bush administration to call off the invasion.

TV 3 Winchester
June 5, 2008

When Brigadier General John Johns endorsed Mike Turner Wednesday at the Handley Library, he wanted to make one thing clear- the general's blessing had nothing to do with partisan politics and everything to do with Turner's strategy for leaving Iraq.

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"I think the district and the urgent issues of our time, and particularly this district right now, demand really innovative, imaginative, and high energy...leadership of a kind that we haven't seen in this district for a very long time," said Turner.

"I will appear with anyone, whether it be a Democrat or a Republican, who endorses that view," explained Johns. "We have to have a bipartisan approach to this thing. Cut out the wrangling and bitter partisan politics on national security."

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"He has an amazing grasp of the situation in the Middle East, beyond any candidate that I know," offered Johns about the retired Air Force colonel.

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"As I've said all along, I'm the only candidate in the race that can sit down with conservatives and Independents and progressives, with some measure of credibility and respect, and actually find common ground," said Turner.

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Read the entire article.

Winchester Star
June 5, 2008

Retired Air Force Col. Mike Turner believes he presents the best chance for a Democrat to unseat Virginia’s longest-serving member of Congress, U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf, R-10th.

Turner, a resident of Waterford, came to Winchester on Wednesday to talk about Iraq, the issue he thinks will have the greatest impact on the future of the United States.

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He said his authentic touches, including calling potential voters to explain his views and goals, have resonated with the electorate.

"The other day, I was walking with a friend of mine in downtown Leesburg, and a shop owner, a person I had never met before, came out and said, ‘Aren’t you Mike Turner, the guy running for Congress?’ I said, ‘Yes, I am.’"

Turner said the shop owner’s response was surprising.

"He said, ‘You’re great! I went to your Web site, and that’s terrific. I am a lifelong Marine and dedicated Republican, but I’m going to vote for you.’"

Purcellville, VA, —Retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress in Virginia’s 10th District, issued his position on the use of area munitions in light of the recent conference in Oslo concerning a global ban on cluster bombs. The Associated Press reported that "the treaty formally adopted on Friday by 111 nations, including many of America's major NATO partners, would outlaw all current designs of cluster munitions and require destruction of stockpiles within eight years. It also opens the possibility that European allies could order U.S. bases located in their countries to remove cluster bombs from their stocks."

Turner said, "The issue here is less about a particular weapon and more about the proper and legal use of what are known as area munitions (napalm, Cluster bombs, etc) during a conflict. I believe that the use of cluster bombs against civilian targets should be internationally outlawed."

On Friday, May 30^th, Mike debated his primary opponent on WAMU's "The Politics Hour" with guest host Marc Fisher. To listen to the debate, click one of the audio links below and forward your player to the 28 minute mark.

• Real Audio Format
• Windows Media Player Format

Leesburg Today
May 28

During a press conference Tuesday morning, Democratic Congressional candidate Mike Turner reiterated his belief that the U.S. needs to begin a responsible end to the war in Iraq.

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[Brig. Gen. John] Johns and Turner are supporters of the "Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq," a plan that builds on the report of the Iraq Study Group, which was appointed by Congress in 2006 at the initiative of incumbent U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R-10-VA). The commission's report was presented Dec. 6, 2006, but the recommendations were not adopted.

The two main points of the "Responsible Plan" call for building a strong diplomatic effort to bring stability to Iraq and the withdrawal of U.S. combat forces out of the country.

Loudoun Times
May 13, 2008

Despite losing the money race to political veteran Judy Feder by a resounding 10-to-1 margin, Waterford’s Mike Turner has a bold prediction for the Democratic Party’s upcoming congressional primary:

“We will win,” he said. “My staff and I are already planning for the general election.”

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...Turner, a backer of Barack Obama, said he shuns political labels, preferring to call himself a "solutionist."

TV 3 Winchester
May 21, 2008

Colonel Mike Turner has proved time and time again that he's willing to tackle, and overcome, great challenges.

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"I think the district and the urgent issues of our time, and particularly this district right now, demand really innovative, imaginative, and high energy...leadership of a kind that we haven't seen in this district for a very long time," said Turner.

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He also has a clear cut philosophy on Iraq- issue a firm deadline of December 31, 2009, for having all American troops back home.

"It's essential [to set a deadline] because all military planners understand that without an end game, without an end state defined precisely, you find you cannot make progress because there's no direction to your effort," explained Turner.

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"The key about my Democratic opponent is that she raised a record amount of money last time, and lost by 16 points," noted Turner. "Even more importantly, she lost by 16 points in the same election that Jim Webb won."

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Read the entire article.

I am very pleased to endorse retired Air Force Colonel Mike Turner for the U.S. Congress in Virginia's 10th District.

America needs incisive, visionary, and proven leaders to solve the urgent problems of our day, starting with a Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, which both Mike and I support. Mike possesses precisely these qualities. He served with distinction for three years in the United States Central Command, and worked directly with me on several important issues. He is a highly principled public servant who would make an extraordinary Congressman. I heartily endorse his candidacy.

General Joseph P. Hoar, USMC (Retired)
Former Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Central Command