Burner's plan on Iraq signals war likely key issue in race

Democratic congressional challenger Darcy Burner said she knew in her first run against U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert that she wanted to end the war in Iraq. But when people asked how she would do it, she wasn't sure what to say.

As she prepared for a rematch with Reichert this year, Burner convened a team of experts to come up with a plan. On Monday, she and nine other congressional challengers from across the country released a 20-page report offering what they say is a way out of the conflict.

The plan signals that Burner intends to again make the war a major focus of her 8th District race. Echoing previous Democratic proposals, the plan calls for a rapid troop withdrawal and an increased diplomatic and humanitarian effort in Iraq.

A spokesman for Reichert said the congressman believes military leaders on the ground — not candidates for political office — should make decisions about when and how to end the war.

Reichert has said the U.S. should do "whatever it takes" to ensure it leaves a stable Iraq with a strong infrastructure and a growing economy.

Burner, a former Microsoft manager, lost narrowly to Reichert in 2006. She spent the past two years raising money, and she has more cash on hand than Reichert does, according to campaign-disclosure documents.

Burner tapped a former assistant secretary of defense and three former military officials — including retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton, who oversaw training of Iraqi army troops in 2003-04 — to craft the plan.

"We've been waiting for five years for a top-down solution. No top-down solution is coming," Burner said.

The plan contends the problems in Iraq are more diplomatic and social than military. It would withdraw troops within about 18 months, use diplomatic means to rebuild Iraq's economy and infrastructure, and address human-rights issues.

The plan also calls for the passage of several Democratic-sponsored proposals not just affecting Iraq and the military but also regulating media ownership and promoting green energy.

Burner said the plan was an "overt recognition" that the United States has been defining the conflict in Iraq too narrowly.

"This is an acknowledgment that we need to fundamentally change what our conversation about national security and war looks like in order to be able to move forward," she said.

Reichert spokesman Mike Shields said it would be irresponsible to withdraw troops and then send U.S. money "into a black hole."

The best thing to do is to determine whether the Bush administration's troop-increase strategy is working, secure the country and then use Iraqi money to begin reconstruction, he said.

"This plan not only suggests that we create that terrible situation, but that we supplement that with U.S. taxpayer money," he said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com