Reichert says he saw good signs on Iraq visit

Rep. Dave Reichert returned from an intense two-day tour of Iraq last weekend concerned about the lack of political progress among Iraqis, but still supporting the current war strategy.

"It's not all rosy," Reichert, R-Auburn, said Friday. "But you can feel it just turning to more of a positive. At least people are beginning to see that."

He and four other members of Congress were in Iraq just before Gen. David Petraeus, the U.S. commander there, told House and Senate committees that the troop escalation has improved security in some parts of the country.

"I am conflicted," Reichert said. He acknowledged the lack of progress in forming a functional Iraqi central government and said he's concerned about the war's costs.

But overall, he said Congress should "trust General Petraeus."

"We can come back with our heads held high if we allow General Petraeus to finish this war," Reichert said.

That puts him at odds with one of the Republicans on the Iraq tour. Jim Walsh, R-N.Y., broke with the White House after the trip and quickly issued a statement headlined: "Time to begin bringing troops home from Iraq."

The two other Republicans, Reps. Steve Pearce of New Mexico and Barbara Cubin of Wyoming, said they believe security in Iraq is improving.

The only Democrat on the trip, Rep. Brad Ellsworth of Indiana, called for a "change in direction" but didn't advocate a timetable to redeploy American troops.

The war likely will be a key issue in Reichert's re-election campaign next year.

"The problem with his statement that we ought to just trust the generals is that the problem there is no longer military," said Darcy Burner, Reichert's likely Democratic opponent in the 8th District.

"If the political solutions aren't happening, we're throwing away American lives," she said.

In Baghdad, the congressional delegation met with generals, U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker and soldiers.

"I didn't hear one solider say, 'Get us out of here now,' " Reichert said. "It was everyone, to the person, saying, 'Let us finish the job and with dignity. Don't let my friends die in vain, my fellow troops.' "

Reichert also visited a neighborhood previously besieged by insurgents that seems stabilized.

"There was a woman walking, carrying a Snoopy shopping bag," he said. "People are starting to come out of their homes. People are sick and tired of al-Qaida and the insurgents and others."

Asked if he thought his tour was controlled by military leaders, Reichert paused.

"Do they take us only places they want us to see? I think they want to keep us safe," he said. "I think they wanted to show off the areas where they made progress."

One of Reichert's top concerns is the cost to rebuild the Iraqi infrastructure.

"The Iraqis have lots of money," he said, adding that the United States needs to help them make major rebuilding decisions for schools, roads and power stations. But he said, "We shouldn't be spending our money on this."

Reichert said the American people no longer have faith in President Bush when it comes to the Iraq war. "They don't trust his words anymore. That's just obvious from the low ratings," he said. "And they don't trust Congress either, by the way. You know who they trust? They trust the military to make the right decision.

"General Petraeus is the guy we can put our trust in right now."

Alicia Mundy: 202-662-7457 or amundy@seattletimes.com