When Brigadier General John Johns endorsed Mike Turner Wednesday at the Handley Library, he wanted to make one thing clear- the general's blessing had nothing to do with partisan politics and
everything to do with Turner's strategy for leaving Iraq.

"I will appear with anyone, whether it be a Democrat or a Republican, who endorses that view," explained Johns. "We have to have a bipartisan approach to this thing. Cut out the wrangling and bitter partisan politics on national security."

Party politics aside, not just anyone would garner General Johns' backing.

"He has an amazing grasp of the situation in the Middle East, beyond any candidate that I know," offered Johns about the retired Air Force colonel.

Turner is a former fighter pilot who believes he brings a novel outlook to the congressional race.

"As I've said all along, I'm the only candidate in the race that can sit down with conservatives and Independents and progressives, with some measure of credibility and respect, and actually find common ground," said Turner.

The Waterford native supports the Responsible Plan, a doctrine based on the findings of the Iraq Study Group that places diplomacy before force.

"The Responsible Plan acknowledges that there is no military solution [in Iraq]," added Turner. "We need a diplomatic and a robust involvement in rebuilding the infrastructure in Iraq to solve that problem."

The Democratic Primary on June 10 pits Turner against health care expert Judy Feder.

Feder ran against Congressman Wolf in the 2006 election, losing by 16 percentage points.