Jared Polis is running for Colorado’s Congressional District 2, and he decided to see for himself what’s happening in Iraq. I sat down with him for a few minutes in his hectic campaign office to talk about his perceptions.
Mr Polis observed that while the surge is a military success in Iraq, representatives of aid organizations were unable to deliver supplies in Baghdad because of crackdowns, while ordinary citizens were excessively hampered by checkpoints and other restrictions on their movement.
Iraqis don’t feel free to express their concerns or genuine opinions in the country, according to Mr Polis, because of the pervasive feeling of occupation in the country. He noted that Westerners seen as powerful, either politically or militarily, were the most likely to be told what they want to hear and the least likely to hear Iraqi’s real thoughts and feelings.
“I think that anybody who wants to serve in Congress should absolutely go to Iraq and try to learn about the situation first hand.” Mr Polis added that candidates should not just talk to top level military and political figures.
Colorado’s CD2 encompasses the liberal-by-reputation city of Boulder, much of the surrounding suburban and rural areas, and many of the famous ski resorts in the mountains, such as Vail and Aspen. Congressman Mark Udall has held the seat, but is now running in what looks to be a heated Senate race.
This traditionally democratic seat is getting riled by a three-way primary including Jared Polis, an internet entrepreneur and ex-chair of the State Board of Education, Joan Fitz-Gerald, the former President of the State Senate, and Will Shafroth, former Executive Director of Great Outdoors Colorado and former Assistant Secretary for the State of California.
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