Walz said Rumsfeld’s comments, and those made by other administration officials and congressional leaders, are designed to shut down any debate on alternative strategies in Iraq.

“The American people are hungry for a discussion on this,” said Walz, who said the current strategy by Republican leaders is simply to hope things get better. “... The wishful thinking of this Congress and administration is not a foreign policy.”

While Walz offered specific suggestions on how to better support soldiers, their families and veterans, he provided no solution for the deteriorating situation in Iraq. He even suggested that a pillar of his previous plan to reduce Iraqi violence — stabilization of the country through fixing basic infrastructure providing water, electricity and other basic utilities — would be difficult to achieve in the growing chaos.

“Maybe the window of opportunity is getting to the point where we’re not going to be able to restore that infrastructure,” he said.

But an open discussion is desperately needed, he said.

That discussion will happen in January when Democrats take control of the House after winning a majority of seats in the Nov. 7 election, Walz said.

More national attention

He also demonstrated his optimism about the race in talking to his colleagues at the local teachers union annual meeting at the Midwest Wireless Civic Center at about 11:30 a.m.

After accepting a $4,000 campaign donation from Education Minnesota, Walz told his colleagues that he would be working for them when education policy is set next year in the nation’s Capitol.

He also talked about how little was expected of his campaign when he started a year ago, particularly since he had no experience running for office and few political connections.

“Now people across the nation are realizing ‘Holy smokes, this school teacher is going to Washington,’” Walz said.

While optimism is far from rare in political candidates, Walz appears to be moving into a relatively small group of congressional candidates receiving widespread national attention. Time magazine chose the race as one of 10 it is focusing on as it examines whether the war will have a major impact on the general election.

National Public Radio reporter David Welna was also tagging along on part of Walz’s schedule for a story on the First District race. That story could run as soon as Sunday, Walz said.

Nails and rails

By 2 p.m., Walz and campaign scheduler Liz McLoone were volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity construction project in North Mankato. Walz said the stop was as much about drawing attention to the housing program as it was about pounding nails.