RANGEL: 'BRING ON THE DRAFT'
By GEOFF EARLE

November 20, 2006 -- WASHINGTON - Powerhouse Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Harlem) says he wants to bring back the military draft to counter widening threats and keep politicians from starting wars.

"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft," he said. "I think to do so is hypocritical."

Asked on CBS's "Face the Nation" whether he was serious about his proposal, Rangel replied bluntly, "You bet your life. Underscore 'serious.' "

"If we're going to challenge Iran and challenge North Korea and then, as some people have asked, send more troops to Iraq, we can't do that without a draft," he said.

Rangel said if there had been a draft in 2003, the U.S. never would have gone to war because politicians wouldn't want to put their own sons and daughters in harm's way.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq . . . if indeed we'd had a draft," he said.

Rangel said he planned to introduce his legislation in the new Congress.