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.’"
As a candidate, Turner believes the central issue for the 10th District House race should be Iraq.
"There is no military solution for Iraq," he said. "Our current course unacceptably holds U.S. strategic forces hostage to events in Iraq that are beyond our control.
"We must change course, using diplomatic, political, and economic powers to responsibly end the war and remove all of our troops from Iraq."
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"Twice, [Frank Wolf] is on record as your congressman voting against a bipartisan, unanimous recommendation to responsibly get out of Iraq," Turner said. "My opponent, Judy Feder, said we need to get out of Iraq in 18 months. She will not endorse the responsible plan to get out and end the war in Iraq."
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"This one issue completely separates myself from both my Republican and Democratic opponents," Turner said. "My campaign is about substantive leadership. It’s about standing up, stating your position, doing your homework, understanding what the position and issue is, and taking a principled, courageous stand because it is the right thing to do, because it will solve the problem."
Joining Turner in the library’s Benham Upper Gallery was retired Army Gen. John Johns, who considers himself to be a political moderate, and retired Air Force Col. Thom Beres, the former chairman of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee.
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"The net result is, we are in a quagmire and we don’t know how to get out with any kind of dignity and respect," Johns said. "That is the cost."
