"I'm not going to vote for any more money on this war," Hare said. "This war is not going to be solved at the end of a rifle; it has to be solved diplomatically."

The 17th District Democrat stopped to speak and answer questions for one hour in a connecting room to Sullivan Taylor and The Wine Sellers before departing to Carthage to meet with area leaders to discuss the closing of the Methode Electronics Plant.

Hare has worked on redeploying troops out of Iraq since he arrived in Washington, D.C., two years ago. He is a member of the Out-of-Iraq Congressional Caucus, which was created in June 2005 to unite members of the House in favor of returning American troops from Iraq.

"I find it so appalling that this administration is so quick to put people in harm's way," Hare said. "We owe it to our troops to let them come home."

Hare added that when he hears Arizona Sen. John McCain say American troops could be in Iraq for the next 50 to 100 years, he shudders. However, he said he knows it will take at least a year to bring all of the troops home.

Another issue close to Hare's heart is aid for veterans who return home from Iraq. Hare, who served six years in the Army reserves, said every veteran who comes home should be tested for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The War in Iraq was not the only topic discussed Saturday. Hare was asked whom he supports in the 2008 election. He said he supports Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, but he said he preferred New York Sen. Hillary Clinton's health care plan to Obama's. Both plans call for mandated universal health care for American citizens.

Yet, he would take either of their plans over McCain's, which is not universal health care but calls for tax incentives.

"Health care is not a privilege; it's a right," Hare said. "I support a single- payer health care system. But I'm not sure if I'm going to see it in my lifetime."

Hare has already filed to seek re-election to U.S. Congress. Hare will be among 435 representatives who will be up for re-election in November.