Asked if the U.S. war in Iraq was a mistake, the governor told reporters today she doesn’t “have to make that decision.”
Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s monthly press avail today veered into questions on her opinions of President George W. Bush and the war in Iraq.Reporters brought up a recent Quinnipiac University poll showing very strong statewide support for Rell, but diminishing support for Bush. New Haven Register reporter Greg Hladky asked whether the governor would shy away from Bush, given the numbers.“I would not shy from him,” Rell responded, adding that she respects him “as a man.“Rell opined that Bush’s low poll numbers are a reflection of the times, especially the war in Iraq and consistent news reports about the death of U.S. soldiers. Hladky asked Rell to name the policy areas where she agreed with Bush, and Rell did not come up with one area of unqualified cohesion.So ctnewsjunkie.com asked Rell if she thought the war was a mistake. The governor paused for one second.“I don’t think I have to make that decision,” she said. “At the time we believed it was the right move, and I’m not going to second guess the Defense Department. I can tell you I think whether you agree with the war or not, there are individuals serving their country and are there every day, and we need to support them.”
