Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

Illinois senator Obama says Iraq War is being mishandled
By Brandon Weisenberger
Daily Egyptian (Southern Illinois U.)
04/17/2006

(U-WIRE) CARBONDALE, Ill. — U.S. Sen. Barack Obama said the nation's involvement in Iraq is not being handled correctly by the Bush administration during a visit to the Southern Illinois University-Carbondale campus Friday.

Obama told about 250 people in the Lesar Law School auditorium the U.S. should serve as a moderator between disputing political parties in the venture to establish a government in the "unsteady" Middle East country.

"There is no military solution for Iraq, but there is a political solution," he said.

An opponent to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, Obama said an ideal situation would be to have a functional government there and a significant U.S. troop pullout by the end of the year. He said that likely will not happen soon because no exit strategy has been set.

During his 47th town hall-type meeting across the state, Obama also said more attention should be paid to soldiers returning from combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. He claimed new veterans are seven times more likely to become homeless because of undiagnosed post-traumatic stress disorders.

One Carbondale resident questioned Obama about affirmative action in U.S. universities, referencing SIUC's recent agreement with the Department of Justice to open up three graduate fellowships the DOJ deemed racially exclusive.

Obama said he spoke extensively with SIU President Glenn Poshard during the case and noted minority programs have their benefits and downsides.

"These programs, based on my understanding, were designed to encourage and provide solid financial help to minorities, mostly in areas where they are so unrepresented," Obama said. "I understand that we're in a time in which people are anxious about jobs, resources are scarce. Those concerns probably make more sense in a situation where there are a limited number of spots. "

Poshard told the senator SIU would continue to assist minority students.

"Despite our settlement with the DOJ on this case, we're absolutely committed across our entire system to opening up all of our programs to greater representation of underserved populations," Poshard said.

Obama addressed the recent immigration protests that swept across the nation last week after the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a 700-mile fence to be erected at the Mexican border and felony charges be brought against illegal immigrants. He said the Senate has attempted to increase border security but also establish a "pathway to citizenship" for the 11 million undeclared citizens working in the country.

The senator also answered inquires about Iran, health coverage and student loan programs.

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