Foster blasts Oberweis' stance on Iraq

Democratic congressional candidate Bill Foster blasted his Republican opponent's stance on Iraq, saying it's out of touch even with members of his own party.

Lifelong Republican and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Don Cassiday stood alongside Foster at a news conference Monday at Foster's Aurora campaign office to break ranks and endorse Foster.

"I think that Mr. Oberweis' stand of continuing to support the Bush administration in Iraq is very unwise and I think the future of this country depends very heavily on our getting out of there," said Cassiday, an Aurora resident. "That's my reason for supporting Bill."

Foster, a Geneva businessman and scientist, said he supports military experts who estimate a safe and orderly exit of U.S. troops out of Iraq could take eight to 16 months.

"I am happy to leave the details of that redeployment up to the military experts as long as the redeployment starts immediately, and it is made clear to the Iraqis when it is going to take place so that they will stand up and take responsibility for running their country," Foster said. "This is what the surge was designed to do and it is what it has failed to do so far."

He added that he would not support a "blank check" for continued military funding for the war.

In response, Oberweis campaign spokesman Bill Pascoe called Foster out of touch with voters in the 14th Congressional District. Foster's position on Iraq is extreme, Pascoe said.

"Bill Foster wants to cut off funding for our troops right now. He wants to withdraw from Iraq right now," Pascoe said. "And no amount of sugarcoating can hide the fact that what he's actually calling for is raising the white flag --at just the time that (Commanding) Gen. (David) Petraeus' new strategy is working."

That view "puts Foster out of touch with the residents of the 14th District, who strongly support our troops, and believe they should be withdrawn gradually," Pascoe said.

Oberweis, a Sugar Grove dairy magnate, and Foster are running in the March 8 special election to fulfill the unexpired term of retired U.S. Rep. Dennis Hastert.