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The Iraq war may be a mistake - and the Bush administration and U.S. intelligence "let us down" - but American soldiers should remain in the country until Iraqis are able to protect themselves, congressional candidate Jim Ogonowski told Daily News editors yesterday.

But that continued war and repeated deployments of volunteer forces takes a toll on the military, he said.

"It's quite a burden on the people (serving) at this point in time," said Ogonowski.

Ogonowski, a Republican in his first political campaign, is running against another political newcomer, Democrat Niki Tsongas for the 5th Congressional District in the Oct. 16 election. U.S. Rep. Marty Meehan, D-Lowell, left the seat earlier this year to become chancellor of UMass-Lowell, Ogonowski's alma mater.

He campaigns as an outsider who is not a career politician, as a nonpartisan who will listen to ideas from any party. He favors keeping Bush-era tax cuts in place and relying on free markets to carry more of the burden of health care.

"I don't support (new) taxes, I support cutting waste," he said.

Ogonowski first appeared in the public eye after Sept. 11, 2001, to speak for his family after American Airlines Flight 11 was hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center by terrorists. Ogonowski's brother, John, was the pilot of the hijacked plane.

His great-grandmother emigrated from Poland in 1904 and his family originally settled in Lowell. They later moved onto a farm in Dracut, where his family still resides.

For about a decade, his family has hosted Cambodian immigrants on about 10 acres of farmland, where they are taught New England farming techniques, he said. Many of the Cambodians are survivors of the bloody Khmer Rouge regime and settled in the region in the early 1980s.

He sees a relationship between the Cambodians working on his family land and his own family history of immigrating to America.

He also served 28 years in the Air Force and Air National Guard as a lieutenant colonel, and helped coordinate the in-flight refueling of fighter jets traveling overseas. He said about 22 members of his family have served in the military.

He said his long military experience makes him qualified to weigh in on national security matters.

Ogonowski called the war in Iraq a mistake, but a complete U.S. withdrawal would likely invite more fighting, he said. He backed a continued military presence and more dialogue with nearby countries to improve stability in Iraq.

"It's in their best interest to have a stable Iraq," said Ogonowski, referring to surrounding countries.

He said the U.S. should step up diplomatic efforts toward Iran as that country moves closer to becoming a nuclear power.

"War is not always the answer," he said.

Ogonowski strongly opposes amnesty for illegal alians and backs measures to establish fences and boost border patrols to curb illegal entry into the United States. He also wants better tracking of work visas to ensure foreign workers do not remain in the U.S. after their visas expire.

He also opposes a proposed expansion to the State Children's Health Initiative, which would offer health care to 6 million more children nationally, because the program would not require identification to enroll, he said. That loophole would allow illegals to gain health care for their children, he said.

"You can't offer (incentives) ... to people whose first act in this country is committing a crime," said Ogonowski.

He also supports efforts to develop alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, and proposes a tax credit for home owners and businesses that employ clean energy technology. He said the U.S. needs to break free from its dependence on foreign oil.

(John Hilliard can be reached at 508-626-4449 or jhilliar@cnc.com.)