Most Georgia lawmakers continue to stand behind Bush on war

From an AP article in The Macon Telegraph:

Despite growing opposition to the war among Americans and warnings that Iraq is descending into civil war, most Georgia lawmakers in Washington are standing behind President Bush's call to stay the course in the conflict.

With some exceptions among members of Congress from the Atlanta area, lawmakers say the kind of anti-war sentiment that helped defeat incumbent Sen. Joe Lieberman in Connecticut's Democratic primary this month has not significantly penetrated their districts.

[Georgia's two] Democratic congressmen facing difficult re-election battles - John Barrow of Savannah and Jim Marshall of Macon - said they back the White House position on withdrawal.

"We invaded that country; we dismantled its government; we disbanded its army. And that means that we need to see this through," Barrow said. "There have been incredible mistakes, but I think our focus needs to be on getting the Iraqis in a position where they can take care of themselves."

Marshall, a Vietnam veteran, said leaving the country in its current state would be disastrous for Iraq, the Middle East, and U.S. national security.

"It's still too early to tell whether the Iraqis can pull themselves together, but they surely won't if we decide to leave precipitously," Marshall said.