Republican House Member Jumps Ship

I've blogged about a number of Republicans who have abandoned the GOP on Iraq and other important issues of the day, such as the environment.

Here's another one, at least on Iraq: outgoing Representative Doug Bereuter of Nebraska.

Bereuter served more than a quarter century in Congress, including many years on the House International Relations Committee and service as the vice chair of the House Intelligence Committee.

Here's what he wrote to his constituents recently, as reported by the Associated Press:

"I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things being considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action," Representative Doug Bereuter wrote in a letter to his constituents.

"Left unresolved for now is whether intelligence was intentionally misconstrued to justify military action."

There's more, and it's clear that this House member, despite voting for and speaking in favor of the 2002 congressional resolution on Iraq, disagrees sharply with the neocons who hijacked administration policy:

"From the beginning of the conflict, it was doubtful that we for long would be seen as liberators, but instead increasingly as an occupying force," Bereuter wrote. "Now we are immersed in a dangerous, costly mess, and there is no easy and quick way to end our responsibilities in Iraq without creating bigger future problems in the region and, in general, in the Muslim world."

As a result, he said, "our country's reputation around the world has never been lower and our alliances are weakened."

As Kos points out, Bereuter represents a district Dems could win this November, and, because of Nebraska law, could even win an Electoral vote (Maine also allows electoral vote splitting).

The Nebraska Congressman refused to answer reporters' questions about his missive, but a spokesperson said the letter "speaks for itself."

Indeed.