Building on ladkiddo’s post below about an earlier joint press conference on the war, Eric Massa held a solitary press conference at 11:00 a.m. this morning to discuss the 5-year mark of the war in Iraq. Here are the highlights:

Today is the 5th anniversary of the invasion in Iraq. It’s a very somber anniversary. There’s going to be a lot of politics in the news today. I want to go in a different direction. This morning I joined with Congressional candidates Jon Powers and Dan Maffei to highlight our absolute commitment to fully funding mandatory appropriations for the Veterans Administration. I do this as a 24-year veteran and I am joined by many who believe that this administration has yet to present a comprehensive plan on how to deal with the requirements and needs of hundreds of thousands of returning veterans.

…there is a national reality with long-term health care [that] is going to be problematic. This week in USA Today, front page, it was announced that the Pentagon delayed classification of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) fearful of the volume and intensity of care that will be required. This is agent orange and Gulf War Syndrome all over again.

But beyond health care there are many aspects of real [integrating] and creating opportunity for veterans. Patriotism does not stop with a yellow ribbon on your bumper.

RT: Comments on V.P. Cheney’s visit to Iraq?

I find it amazing that Vice President Cheney decided to join John McCain campaigning from Baghdad. And I am certain that the thousands of American troops providing security for them were all somewhat confused by Vice President Cheney’s remarks.

It’s time to responsibly bring our troops home. Period.

RT: What is your plan for withdrawal in Iraq?

…the Rep right characterizes us that disagree with George Bush as surrendering or cutting and running, while at the same time espousing a 100-year-war. …There is a third way, a responsible way. So…we’re putting forward what is called the responsible plan for withdrawing from Iraq. This plan addresses all facets of what we face: financial, humanitarian, refugees, diplomatic, military, veterans, in a comprehensive statement of vision for the future.

Frankly, we have done George Bush’s homework for him.

There are two questions that this administration refuses to answer:

1) What is victory in Iraq by their definition?

2) Are we closer to it now than we were one, two, three or four years ago?

There is no member of the road block caucus who stands with George Bush who had articulated anything except more of the same. And I am not willing to tell the next five generations of Americans that we will be in Iraq for 100 years.

I refer people to www.responsibleplan.com and challenge my opponent to join me starting now in debating these critical issues. I [have started] a clear dialogue with the voters, he has not.

How to keep Iraq stable?

The stability of Iraq can only be guaranteed by the Iraqi people and their government.

RT: Do you have a plan for helping veterans keep their jobs or get new jobs once home?

It’s called a federal law and the veterans employment act states very clearly that you cannot be denied your employment due to deployment…[This includes] those who are physically or psychologically unable to return to their employment. This is nothing new. We have been there before. Those of us in uniform have been talking about this for years. It’s only the Bush administration and the professsional Washington politicians who refuse to face reality. Our veterans need a stronger voice for Congress.