by Denise Richardson

ONEONTA — The United States should cease military action in Iraq, said a Democrat challenging U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton during a campaign stop Thursday night.

"I am for the immediate withdrawal of all the troops in Iraq," Jonathan Tasini of Manhattan said.

He spoke to about 30 people at the Unitarian Universalist Society on Ford Avenue in Oneonta. His appearance was organized by the Coalition for Democracy of Central New York.

Tasini said he supports impeaching the president and vice president for breaking the law and telling lies, and he said Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld should be fired for incompetence.

The billions of dollars spent on the war in Iraq instead could have paid for health care for children, better schools and job opportunities, Tasini said.

Not only is the country sending troops to Iraq, but it also brings them home to a shortage of decent jobs and no health care, Tasini said.

"I cannot remember a time when things have been so bad," Tasini, 49, a consultant and former union president, said. "It’s staggering."

The U.S. military presence in Iraq is fueling the insurgency, Tasini said, so the U.S. must stop its spending on offensive operations and ask military leaders to plan a withdrawal that is safe for troops.

Besides ending the war, Tasini’s platform calls for "Medicare for all" and "New rules for the economy." Under the theme, "Vote for what you believe in," Tasini started his campaign Dec. 6 to challenge Clinton in the September primary.

"Senator Clinton is out of step with the values of a majority of New Yorkers," Tasini said. While he blasted the Republican administration, he also criticized the Democrats and said they lack action.

"Where is the Democratic Party in all of this?" Tasini said. "We need a fighting Democratic Party. ... Why don’t we have the leadership in the party to end the war now?"
Richard Stinson of the Coalition for Democracy said he agreed with Tasini and welcomed his challenge of Clinton.

"It’s a wonderful thing because I do not consider Hillary Clinton to be a Democrat — she’s too much of a centrist," Stinson, of South Kortright, said. The Democratic Party needs backbone, he said, adding that he agrees with Tasini.

"So far, I like everything I’ve heard," Stinson said.

Scattered applause greeted some remarks by Tasini, who also inquired about issues in upstate New York. Loss of government support for dairy farmers, the need for jobs and poverty were among concerns raised by some audience members.

Tasini acknowledged Clinton’s celebrity and name recognition but said if more progressive politicians step forward as a result of his campaign, the effort will have been worthwhile.

"What I’m going to do is reframe the race," Tasini said.