Former U.S. Rep. Barry Goldwater Jr., R-California, told a group of students Wednesday that the reconstruction efforts in Iraq would be faster if there were more troops on the ground.

“Nobody said that it would be easy. I think that the president is doing the best that he can,” said Goldwater, who defended President George W. Bush’s decision to take the nation to war.

The strategy of the troops is to “train the Iraqis to take care of themselves,” he said.

Goldwater and former U.S. Rep. Beverly Byron Jr. discussed the upcoming 2004 election and political issues in Anspach Hall.

Byron is a former Democratic representative from Maryland who served in Congress from 1972 to 1993. Goldwater, son of former presidential candidate Sen. Barry Goldwater Sr., represented California from 1969 to 1983.

CMU’s Griffin Endowed Chair in American Government Bill Ballenger moderated the discussion. Ballenger, the editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, also is a former state lawmaker.

Ballenger began the discussion by asking Byron what she thought about the debate between Bush and Sen. John Kerry relating to the Armed Services and if she felt the draft would be reinstated.

Byron, a former senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said the basic things the Department of Defense strives to achieve are adequate military housing, education, health care and retirement.

Still, Byron said she is unsure about the reinstatement of the draft.

“In the mid-1980s the draft was discussed just as it is now,” Byron said. “A lot of young people go into services for an education. It’s their choice.”

While she was in office, Byron said she felt it was important that military men and women have adequate care for their children while they’re at war.

“I established childcare facilities on all military bases,” Byron said.

Another audience member asked if the president’s policies have succeeded in Iraq.

Byron stated the main problem with Iraq was the disregard Saddam Hussein had for the people.

“Bush got Saddam out and left the Iraqi people to take care of him,” Byron said.

Byron praised the election that took place in Afghanistan Saturday.

“Women for the first time got to exercise their vote,” Byron said. “They have taken a new position in the government. It’s an outstanding change that should not be lost.”

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