Gutnecht Sings A Different Song

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 12, 2006
Contact: Meredith Salsbery, 507-351-7730
http://www.timwalz.org/

GUTKNECHT SINGS A DIFFERENT SONG

After refusing to talk about Iraq, Gutknecht decides to visit Iraq and plans to campaign
on the war during the 2006 election cycle.
(Bellechester, Minn.) - After insisting that immigration was the predominant issue this
election cycle, Gutknecht made an about face last night at the Association of Independent
(Motorcycle) Riders. According to Gutknecht's congressional staffer Dick Larson, who
represented the Congressman at the event, Gutknecht will primarily address the War in
Iraq and the health care crisis during the 2006 election cycle - two issues Tim Walz has
been discussing for the last 18 months.

Gutknecht has said publicly that he does not want to address the war and believes that
immigration reform should be the top priority for his constituents and his campaign.
Mr. Walz's opponent, Rep. Gil Gutknecht, a former auctioneer, served 12 years in the
Minnesota legislature before joining Congress in 1995. He emails progress reports on Iraq to
constituents but prefers to talk up immigration, where he is taking a tougher line in response
the influx of illegal immigrants working in agriculture-processing facilities in the district.
"It's a hotter issue and it's more clear-cut," he says. Unlike Iraq, "people know which side
they're on." [Wall Street Journal, 3/30/06, pg. A4]

Gutknecht said Iraq is a big issue, but many people don't know what to think of it -- "a
muddled frustration" is what he called it. Many more people, the congressman said, have
told him that the border with Mexico needs to be secured than have told him troops should
be withdrawn immediately. Clear-cut issues generally mean more in elections, he said.
[Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 4/27/06, pg. B1]

"For 18 months I've been talking about the War in Iraq and health care reform. It is
disingenuous for my opponent to pretend that these issues have been his focus all along
and yet I'm pleased that it appears we're going to have a debate on the issues that really
matter to the people of the 1st District," said Walz. "The War in Iraq is personal for me
because I served 24 years in the Army National Guard and I watched the soldiers I
trained and previously deployed with get on the plane to Iraq this past March."

"Politicians like my opponent are all-too eager to fly to Iraq so they can stand in front of
soldiers for a photo-op," said Walz. "But sadly he does not stand behind them when it
comes to legislation that will make a difference in the lives of our soldiers and veterans."

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