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Military Contractors

Private military contractors, or mercenaries, provide specialized expertise or services of a military nature. Currently, there are thought to be at least 100,000 contractors working in Iraq directly for the U.S. Department of Defense. These contractors maintain weapons systems, provide bodyguards to VIPs, and guard installations. Recently, military contractors have created controversy with their actions. They are not subject to Iraqi laws or regulations. This has led to a questioning of their credibility.

Joseph Biden on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Investigate all future private military contracts
Description:	Senator Joe Biden has supported a special Senate committee to investigate all private military contracts that are awarded for Iraq and Afghanistan.
Citations:

1.	Joe Biden To Unveil Plan to Keep the Promise to America's Vertans (10/17/07) Joe Biden outlines his plan for veterans which includes "Stop private contracting for maintenance at military medical facilities"
2.	109th Congress Vote Number 316 (10/17/07) Senator Joe Biden votes yes "To establish a special committee of the Senate to investigate the awarding and carrying out of contracts to conduct activities in Afghanistan and Iraq and to fight the war on terrorism."

Sam Brownback on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Investigate the impact of contractor behavior to determine future actions.
Description:	According to the Washington Post, Sam Brownback wrote a letter to Condoleezza Rice on Thursday October 4, 2007 requesting an investigation of the impact of contractor behavior on U.S. efforts in Iraq.
Citations:

House Acts in Wake of Blackwater Incident (10/17/07)
On October 5, 2007, the Washington Post wrote: "Sen. Sam Brownback (Kan.), a conservative Republican running for his party's White House nomination, wrote a letter yesterday to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, asking for a broad investigation of the impact of contractor behavior on U.S. diplomatic efforts.

"The respect for and promotion of human rights are central to U.S. diplomacy in all parts of the world. The negative effects of a Blackwater security guard using excessive force are not limited to the victims of a particular incident. Such violence undermines the efforts of our diplomats to affirm the importance of human rights and advance our national interests," Brownback wrote. "

Christopher Dodd on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Supports reducing the use of military contractors
Description:	Senator Christopher Dodd has voiced concern over the use of unregulated military contractors overseas and has introduced legislation to limit the scope of their potential responsibilities.
Citations:

Blackwater's chairman defends firm's record before divided House committee (10/17/07)
The State Department's initial report on the incident was written by a Blackwater contractor working in the U.S. Embassy security detail, according to a CNN report. Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), a presidential candidate, condemned that move.

"By outsourcing the investigation of Blackwater's shooting of Iraqi civilians to Blackwater, the State Department has allowed the fox to guard the henhouse,' he said in a statement. 'This tragic incident, and the string of others involving Blackwater, remind us that unregulated military contractors can put American troops, policy and reputation at risk when their actions create strife in Iraq."

Dodd Announces Amendment Restricint use of Private Contractors in Iraq (10/17/07)
This is a press release about Christopher Dodd's legislation to limit military contractor use by the Department of Defense.

John Edwards on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Reduce the use of military contractors in Iraq
Description:	John Edwards has stated he would reduce the roll of military contractors in Iraq and provide better oversight to hold them accountable for their actions.
Citations:

1.	New Rules for Contractors Are Urged by 2 Democrats (10/17/07) This article discusses how former Senator John Edwards wants end "the outsourcing of military and security missions to contractors." He also has a plan to expand U.S. laws to cover contractors overseas.
2.	Edwards Calls on Limited Role for Blackwater-type Contractors (10/17/07) "During a speech billed as a policy rollout against North Carolina-based security firm Blackwater USA and its peers, Edwards called for limiting roles for such contractors, greater oversight and a complete termination of combat missions in Iraq."
3.	John Edwards on What to do About Blackwater (10/16/07) John Edwards vows to stop the user of blackwater on Keith Olberman's television show countdown filmed on Oct 3, 2007.

Mike Gravel on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes use of military contractors
Description:	Mike Gravel has stated he wants to end the user of military contractors in Iraq.
Citations:

1.	Sen. Mike Gravel Supports Call to Ban Blackwater (10/17/07) Mike Gravel wants the troops and contractors out of Iraq as soon as possible.

Dennis Kucinich on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Opposes
Description:	Dennis Kucinich supports a full withdrawal from Iraq and this includes military contractors.
Citations:

1.	Blackwater chief defends Iraq guards (10/24/07) Representative Dennis Kucinich, a longshot Democratic presidential hopeful, said firms like Blackwater had no interest in promoting peace. "If war is privatized, then private contractors have a vested interest in keeping the war going. The longer the war goes on, the more money they make," he said.
2.	Blackwater Hearing- Dennis Kucinich (10/17/07) Dennis Kucinich questions a Blackwater representative over their acquisition of U.S. military contracts.

John McCain on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Hold contractors accountable under U.S. laws
Description:	Senator John McCain thinks that military contractors should be held accountable under U.S. law and the rules of engagement.
Citations:

McCain plans more visits to Iowa (10/17/07)
At a taping of Iowa Public Television's "Iowa Press" program, McCain again criticized the Bush administration's management of the Iraq war by suggesting that private military contractors like Blackwater USA, should be subject to U.S. criminal laws for illegal behavior in foreign countries.

"I think they should be held responsible under our laws for their behavior as well as the rules of engagement," he said.

Barack Obama on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Hold contractors accountable under U.S. laws and create a special FBI unit to investigate abuses
Description:	Senator Barack Obama has stated that he will create more accountability for military contractors by making their actions overseas punishable under U.S. laws and by creating a special FBI unit to investigate alleged abuses.
Citations:

1.	Obama proposes getting tougher on military contractors (10/17/07) Senator Barack Obama expresses his concern over the lack of oversight of military contractors operating in Iraq.
2.	New Rules for Contractors Are Urged by 2 Democrats (10/17/07) This article discusses how Senator Barack Obama believes military contractors should be held accountable for their actions in Iraq.
3.	Obama faults use of contract workers (10/17/07) Barack Obama states his plans to provide better oversight of military contractors by making U.S. laws applicable to their actions overseas and creating a special FBI unit to investigate abuses.
4.	House's Iraq Bill Applies U.S. Laws to Contractors (10/17/07) Briefly mentions Barack Obama's efforts to increase accountability for military contractors operating overseas.
5.	Obama goes after Blackwater (10/16/07) Senator Barack Obama discusses how the U.S. needs tougher rules governing the user of military contractors.

Bill Richardson on Military Contractors More on this candidate

Stance:	Stop using military contractors
Description:	While discussing the Iraq war on October 4, 2007, Governor Bill Richardson said "We must also remove the private mercenaries. As President, I will no longer privatize and outsource American security! "
Citations:

1.	Richardson Criticizes Rivals Over Iraq (10/17/07) Governor Bill Richardson vows to remove military contractors for Iraq. He also states he "will no longer privatize and outsource American security."
2.	Hard Choices: The Responsible Way Forward for Iraq and our Military (10/17/07) In a speech delivered on October 4, 2007, Governor Bill Richardson addresses how he would handle the Iraq war. He states he would no longer use "private mercenaries."

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Military Contractors

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