Jones on Iraq, Medicare, education

U.S. Rep. Walter Jones took on three signature policies of President Bush at a Raleigh luncheon today.

The Farmville Republican spoke about the $9 trillion federal debt, arguing that the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit would never have passed under a Democratic president. He also criticized No Child Left Behind for expanding the Education department.

Both are among Bush's chief domestic accomplishments.

Jones was speaking at a conservative luncheon at the Sheraton Hotel organized by the John William Pope Civitas Institute, a Raleigh think tank.

He also reiterated his opposition to the Iraq war, first by noting that the $9.7 billion a month spent in Iraq is adding to the debt. Toward the end of his 13-minute speech, he spoke even more strongly on the issue.

Jones said that he had been asked recently whether his opposition might cost him an election. His response:

"I said there's only one election that I care about, and that is my election to get into heaven and to see my Lord and savior on the throne. And may he say to me, 'Walter you're welcome to my kingdom because you wanted my people to know the truth.' "