U.S.-Affiliated Iraqis Discussed in Presidential Debate

Helping those that help us is not a partisan concern but an American imperative. While The List Project endorses no candidate, we were heartened to hear the plight of the Iraqis who are at risk due to their affiliation with the United States of America finally mentioned in one of the presidential debates:

Senator Clinton: "I don't think anyone can predict what the consequences will be, and I think we have to be ready for whatever they might be. We have to figure out what we're going to do with the 100,000-plus American civilians who are there working at the embassy, working for not-for- profits or American businesses. We have to figure out what we're going to do about all the Iraqis who sided with us, you know, like the translators who helped the Marines in Fallujah, whom I met, who said they wouldn't have survived without them. Are we going to leave them?"

We hope Senator Clinton's remarks spur the other candidates in both parties into considering the import of this issue. Whoever is elected President this fall will have to address the refugee crisis, as it is becoming increasingly clear that President Bush is either disinclined or apathetic. After all, he has yet to utter a syllable recognizing the world's fastest-growing refugee problem...