Jared Polis for Congress

Ad focuses attention on billions of dollars spent on mercenaries.

Boulder, CO – Thursday, December 13, 2007 – Second Congressional District candidate Jared Polis is announcing that his first commercial will air today highlighting the use of mercenaries in Iraq and the need to end the war. The 30 second spot will air on local cable and network outlets and can be seen online at www.polisforcongress.com.

“I went to Iraq to learn about the situation firsthand and I came back knowing that it’s time to end this war,” said Polis. “While war-profiteering corporations line their pockets, our soldiers are dying every day. My position is: we should have never gone to war and it’s time to put an end to this unjust war. I encourage all voters of the Second Congressional District to visit my website to learn more about what I learned.”

Colorado Governor Bill Ritter is currently in Iraq visiting with soldiers and learning about the situation and Rep. Ed Perlmutter also recently returned from a trip to Iraq.

In a recent Denver Post article, Joan Fitz-Gerald questioned Polis’ trip to Iraq claiming that it was unnecessary and that, “The facts on Iraq are clear and have been.” However, in 2003 Joan Fitz-Gerald voted for two resolutions supporting George W. Bush and the war in Iraq (HJ Res 114 and SJR 03 016.) The facts are clear, Fitz-Gerald vote twice in favor of the war.

“For Fitz-Gerald to claim that her two votes in favor of the war in Iraq are not relevant to how she would represent the second congressional district is a clear example of her lack of foresight and leadership,” said Polis’ campaign manager Wanda James. “Governor Ritter and Representative Perlmutter clearly think it is important enough to go. To say that learning about the war is unnecessary is an insult not only to our brave men and women serving, but also to the leaders that have made understanding the Iraq situation a priority for them and their constituents. This shows her unwillingness to learn about our nation’s most important issue.”