Did Erik Paulsen take a position on Iraq?

Republican MN-03 candidate Erik Paulsen may have finally taken a position on an issue. He is most likely (and rightly) frightened of taking any positions because of his far right voting record. He must be hoping that voters don't question him too thoroughly and assume he's a Ramstad, Jr. His campaign website has been empty of any content and he doesn't make any public appearances. By contrast, his DFL opponent Ashwin Madia has been in the spotlight because of his primary battle and takes strong and principled stands on the issues of the day.

Asked to describe his position on the war, Paulsen sounded like McCain when he said that the United States must atone for its mishandling of the war.

When asked if his war position was similar to McCain's, though, Paulsen demurred and used a buzzword more often used by Democrats — "blank check."

"I think Sen. McCain's more willing to give them a blank check," Paulsen told The Hill, before saying that he wants to continue to see a phased withdrawal.
(The Hill)

So to keep the seat Republican, Paulsen is triangulating to a neutral sounding position. Like most Republicans, he realizes that Grandpa McSame is going to lose and probably by a large margin. So he's distancing himself from McSame, but maybe not His Shrubness.

After Iraqi PM Nouri Al Maliki agreed with Barack Obama that a withdrawal timeline would be a great idea, His Shrubness is now for a "withdrawal horizon." Of course, its easy to point out that we can never reach a horizon ... so maybe this is what Paulsen is really for! Talk about withdrawal, but never actually do anything.

So far, it fits his campaign modus operandi.