Candidate chides Bush over 'cut-and-run'

CHICAGO, Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The Democrats Saturday brought out an Illinois National Guard officer to scold U.S. President Bush in the party's response to his weekly radio address.

Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs in an Iraq helicopter crash, is also running for Congress and used the radio forum to chide the president over the "cut-and-run" allegations levied against Democrats over the Iraq war.

The National Guard major took issue with use of the term by Republicans including her opponent, State Sen. Peter Roskam.

"I didn't cut and run, Mr. President," Duckworth declared. "Like so many others, I proudly fought and sacrificed."

Duckworth added she felt it was time for the United States to "change the course" in Iraq due to intelligence conclusions the U.S. presence in Iraq is stoking the growth of terrorism.