June 5, 2007
Posted: June 5th, 2007 01:28 PM ET

Tonight's debate kicks off at 7 p.m. ET.

WASHINGTON (CNN) - The anti-war group Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq wants to make their presence known at Tuesday night's GOP presidential debate - in a big way.

The group has hired a plane to carry a banner over the debate site near Manchester, New Hampshire from 5 p.m. ET to 8 p.m. ET that says, "Republican Iraq Plan: 50 Years in Iraq"

The debate, sponsored by CNN, WMUR-TV, and the New Hampshire Union Leader, begins at 7 p.m. ET.

"Republican candidates for president need to make it clear whether they stand with the American public or with the president's endless war," Tara McGuinness, deputy campaign manager of the group, said in a statement Tuesday.

This isn't the first time the group has used this strategy at a GOP debate. At the first debate in Simi Valley, California last April, it hired two planes to carry banners that said "Republicans, Mission Accomplished?" and "McCain, Mission Accomplished?"

Americans Against the Escalation in Iraq is a national coalition composed of several political action committees including MoveOn.org and VoteVets.org.

– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney

Filed under: New Hampshire


Tim Booher, El Cerrito CA   June 5th, 2007 5:53 pm ET

Again, what a shame that people have to resort to calling people looney and classless because they are protesting. The freedom to assemble is one of the foundations of this country. Again, I ask isn't that why we are fighting the war in Irag so they can have a chance at democracy? I wouldn't be the first to cast stones since the right has their own problems. Think Phelps and his protesting at funerals including those that served in Irag. So if you can justify that then maybe you have a right to be so crass in critizing an honest and sincere protest against the violence. Come on, can we all just grow up a little?

RightyTighty   June 5th, 2007 4:52 pm ET

A plane circling outside to make their presence known inside?? Sounds like something a leftist would come up with. But have no fear, your loony presence will be known. CNN is sponsoring the debate after all..

James Givens, Louisiana   June 5th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

JFK's religion did not deprive him of being elected.Do any on you feel that Gov. Romney's religion should deprive him of being elected and if nominated would you actively support him?

David, Naples, Ny   June 5th, 2007 4:29 pm ET

The President AND Congress plunged us into these wars. And it seems that most Democrats and Republicans have similar platforms on this issue. Who among the candidates always voted against this war on the principle of Peace and it being contrary to the U.S. Constitution?

DAVID,PHILADELPHIA,PA   June 5th, 2007 4:03 pm ET

WHEN THEY WILL SOLVE THE IMMIGRATION PROBLEM?
WHEN?

Layne Buck, Overland Park, Kansas   June 5th, 2007 3:45 pm ET

Ron Paul does not believe in a 50 years in Iraq policy. This group needs to do some research.

Bruce Krane Pittsburgh Pennsylvania   June 5th, 2007 3:40 pm ET

Sounds like Jefferson should be "put on ice". Political ideolgy should have no bearing in this matter. For the record I am a Democrat.

Norman R. Brideau Yorktown Heights, NY   June 5th, 2007 3:29 pm ET

In the first place we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the man's becoming in very fact an American, and nothing but an American...

There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag, and this excludes the red flag, which symbolizes all wars against liberty and civilization, just as much as it excludes any foreign flag of a nation to which we are hostile...We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people."

–Theodore Roosevelt, 1919

Was Teddy correct? I think so.

Myron, Honolulu, HI   June 5th, 2007 3:27 pm ET

The War on Terror has been most successful as a police action and has been least successful as a War in Iraq.

In the Afgan war we used insurgency to topple the Taliban but in Iraq Al Q uses insurgency to topple democracy.

What have you learned from this and how does it shape your future plans?

Victor Rousseu, Morgan Hill, Ca.   June 5th, 2007 3:21 pm ET

I am glad to see that Tara McGuinness beleves that she is on the side of the American public. I don't see it that way.

From a concerned citizen of the American Public

Tyler - New York, NY   June 5th, 2007 3:16 pm ET

This ANTI-WAR group should really be supporting RON PAUL in 2008. He has very progressive ANTI-WAR view and he's radically sensible potical view could really right was has been wrong in Washington for so many years.

jay davis, ocean city   June 5th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

"It’s easier to depend on someone else to do the dirty work for you." Posted By John Krikorian, Gaithersburg, MD

Doing the right thing is never easy!

Jessica, Austin Texas   June 5th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

When are they going to tell us what really went on w/911?

Lies and Propaganda...

J, Pompano Beach, Florida   June 5th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

I would like to see border secured before we debate about how we treat with illegal immigrants. Would you fix the dam before you clean up the water, or would you just bail water forever?
Enough of the politics, I want action behind the words! Who is the right person for this job!

Kevin Baxter, North Hollywood,CA   June 5th, 2007 3:08 pm ET

The best question is, “Are you going to make sure the border fence is completed before any form of amnesty is granted?”

jay davis, ocean city   June 5th, 2007 2:57 pm ET

If I can muster a few dollars, hire an airplane and hang a banner with some absurd statements about the Democrats, will CNN give me a one paragraph blurb promoting these ideas.

Tim Booher, El Cerrito CA   June 5th, 2007 2:29 pm ET

David, how is exercising your right to your opinion lacking class? Isn't having that right what were over there fighting for? Why do you feel a need to atack those that think that a political solution is the better way to go as opposed to more violence? I hardly find wanting to save lives classless, come on.

Brendose, Oceanside CA   June 5th, 2007 2:19 pm ET

Wow, I tried to comment about CNN doing a bad job on their coverage, and it wasn't posted. I suppose this one will be blocked as well. I wish they would get back to real news like this, instead of headlining that Paris Hilton went to jail. So pathetic

David Cross , Richmond , Virginia   June 5th, 2007 2:07 pm ET

If I lacked the class as these groups do, I would fly over the Democrats debate with a banner that reads "Fight,cut and run,fight,etc".Or maybe "Flip Flop,I meant to say,flip flop" . Give me a break. If Saddam had allowed the required inspections, we wouldn't be there now.

John Krikorian, Gaithersburg, MD   June 5th, 2007 2:04 pm ET

Why does everybody think there will be a power vacuum if we pulled the troops out today? After all, we haven't been right about predicting the actions of those folks yet. Pull the troops out now, and let the Iraqis fight for their own lives. Somehow I think the bloodshed will stop and it will work itself out. It's easier to depend on someone else to do the dirty work for you.

Bob Sanford, Delaware Ohio   June 5th, 2007 1:54 pm ET

If the moderator uses the same tactics that he did for the Democrats then seven of the candidates might as well stay home because he evidently has an agenda of trying to make himself look good and give most of the time to the top(?) three.

Heather, Pittsburgh, PA   June 5th, 2007 1:33 pm ET

I think that that is great. Make the American Voice Heard!!!

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