Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Dissent in the Bunker
Newsweek ^ | 12/15/03 | John Barry and Evan Thomas

Posted on 12/07/2003 5:39:39 PM PST by Pokey78

Newt Gingrich, a quiet Rumsfeld confidant, thinks the U.S. went ‘off a cliff’ in Iraq. A NEWSWEEK exclusive

Dec. 15 issue — The military has been hitting hard lately in Iraq, using overwhelming firepower to kill the enemy in operations with videogame names like Iron Hammer and Ivy Cyclone II. But behind the scenes, some military experts, including high-ranking officers in U.S. Special Forces (Army Green Berets, Navy SEALs and the like), are beginning to complain that America’s strategy in Iraq is wrongheaded.

“THIS IS WHAT Westmoreland was doing in Vietnam,” says a top Special Forces commander, referring to the firepower-heavy tactics favored by the military’s senior commander in Vietnam, Gen. William Westmoreland, who lost sight of America’s essential mission in that lost war: winning the hearts and minds of the people.

One center of private concerns with America’s Iraq strategy is the Defense Policy Board, a collection of outside experts—mostly heavyweight conservatives—who regularly consult with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Disquiet in this quarter is particularly significant, since the DPB pushed from the outset for the invasion of Iraq. Last week one of the more colorful and outspoken members of the group, former House speaker Newt Gingrich, went public with his worries and ideas in an interview with NEWSWEEK. He was careful to say that he does not speak about the board’s deliberations “on or off the record,” but he proceeded to hold forth in his insightful, if mildly bombastic, way about the shortcomings of administration policy in Iraq.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bu11shet; iraq; newtgingrich
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

1 posted on 12/07/2003 5:39:40 PM PST by Pokey78
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I don't know about you, but when ever I hear the term "wrongheaded" I think I am listening to a liberal.
2 posted on 12/07/2003 5:42:50 PM PST by Ditter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Is it fair to say they are complaining, or are they considering all the ramifications of their tactics. Isn't this something the military should be doing anyway? Is it possible that the media wants to take careful discussion and characterize it as complaining.
3 posted on 12/07/2003 5:48:07 PM PST by reed_inthe_wind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I've always appreciated Newt Gingrich, but if he did an interview with liberal Newsweek and spoke against the administration at this crucial time, he can go to hell.
4 posted on 12/07/2003 5:57:07 PM PST by somemoreequalthanothers
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Unfortunately, insufficient quantities of Saddam's thugs stood and fought during the war. We would have killed them then. Apparently, we must kill them now. Get busy.

In the mean time, infrastructure, security, democracy, education, etc. is proceeding apace. The hearts and minds have not been left behind when there is more electricity, free speech, and little fear. Jobs would help, I understand, and that bears some looking into.

But it is not true to say that the Administration has failed to make sufficient efforts to win over the Iraqi people. That is just wrong.
5 posted on 12/07/2003 5:58:40 PM PST by Uncle Miltie (I used to think they were crazy when they said "Republicrats.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
“THIS IS WHAT Westmoreland was doing in Vietnam,” says a top Special Forces commander, referring to the firepower-heavy tactics favored by the military’s senior commander in Vietnam, Gen. William Westmoreland, who lost sight of America’s essential mission in that lost war: winning the hearts and minds of the people.

-----------------------

This commander has no idea what went on there.

6 posted on 12/07/2003 6:05:14 PM PST by RLK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
I'm somewhat mystified by Newt's behavior. If he felt so compelled to discuss the issue, there were avenues available, other then going to the media and whining in public. I trust the Bush administration and believe they have a handle on Iraq. It would defintiely help matters if Saddam Hussein was found and removed from the scene of the crime and from the public debate.
7 posted on 12/07/2003 6:06:52 PM PST by Reagan Man (The few, the proud, the conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
More Weaknews from Newsweek.
8 posted on 12/07/2003 6:12:12 PM PST by hflynn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man
I'm somewhat mystified by Newt's behavior. If he felt so compelled to discuss the issue, there were avenues available, other then going to the media and whining in public

You and me both. Wondered on another thread if his comments were taken out of context but now they are also in Newsweek. Am with you -- why give them an interview?

9 posted on 12/07/2003 6:12:38 PM PST by PhiKapMom (AOII Mom -- OU Sooners are #1)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Ditter
Sounds like a good indicator.
10 posted on 12/07/2003 6:18:20 PM PST by ItisaReligionofPeace (I'm from the government and I'm here to help.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Here we go again with the Vietnam comparisons. Some people really, really want it to be like Vietnam. Unfortunately for them, there are few if any parallels, other than the bleating press trying to stir up the handwringing electorate.
11 posted on 12/07/2003 6:21:04 PM PST by squidly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom
I saw Newt on MTP this morning and he repeated the remarks he made to Newsweek. I seriously question whether Gingrich gets it. While Saddam is on the loose, Iraqi`s will be always looking over their shoulder. For many Iraqi's, the idea of Saddam's Regime coming back into power, won't go away until the "Butcher of Baghdad" is finally located and thrown into jail.
12 posted on 12/07/2003 6:28:10 PM PST by Reagan Man (The few, the proud, the conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man
Thanks for telling me these are his comments. You are so right about the Iraqi's themselves afraid to do much with Saddam on the loose and cannot say as I blame them.

Wonder what makes Newt tick on this one?
13 posted on 12/07/2003 6:30:03 PM PST by PhiKapMom (AOII Mom -- OU Sooners are #1in the BCS)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom
I can't say how much credibility to give the Newsweak report but Newt was on Russert's show today voicing some concerns over why we haven't turned over more control to the Iraqi's. I didn't know about the Newweak report until just now, but I think this explains why Newt was a guest on Meet the Press, this AM.
14 posted on 12/07/2003 6:31:43 PM PST by cwb
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
Could this be a play from the Clinton playbook?

Remember those times something "leaked" that something terrible was going to happen to the Clintons (remember the hype over the video deposition, where Clinton was reported to have got up and left in the middle of the questions, then then remember how it came out. Reality was not as bad as it was reported.)

The left is working it self up to a frenzie over Iraq.

What if at the top of this media fed feeding frenzie the Bush Administration announces they have Saddam (or proof he is dead). What will happen to all those that went off the deep end.

I don't know what this administration has planned, but they have been ahead of their critics from the beginning, allowing them to go on and on, and then bam, pulling some action out of the hat no one expected.

15 posted on 12/07/2003 6:33:04 PM PST by CIB-173RDABN
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: PhiKapMom
>>>Wonder what makes Newt tick on this one?

Don't know. Newt went along with the Congressional GOP and PresBush on the Medicare boondoggle. May be Newt feels overwhelmed with guilt. LOL

16 posted on 12/07/2003 6:38:06 PM PST by Reagan Man (The few, the proud, the conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Reagan Man
The notion around town that disagreeing with policy for ex. in Iraq by policy political appointees

is liberal or unacceptable or not republican

is not the way to input into our system -- FR or speaking to the Prez.

Many of us fiscal conservatives (=> social conservative)
want to help make changes in policy at the WH

Newt reflects General Jay Garner
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-3433306,00.html

almost exactly. Mistakes have been and are being made.

More, Bush'a administration and political advisors are not one.

Superb that wolf will get the boot. Finally. Notice that there is a major mention of having an Asst. Sec Def who can repair relations with the military.

Hadley is an executive nature guy, patched up exonerated
Bush and Reagan of Iran contra bruhaha. And he has his career agenda, as they all do. Tug of wars to come.

Policy types come in with their agendas, and agendas within agendas. It is good to question. get involved with change, the way "you" want to see it go.
17 posted on 12/07/2003 6:38:57 PM PST by inPhase
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Pokey78
No clue why Newt said these things - but I think Russert deliberately had him on today - knowing what the wide-load was going to say.

By having Newt on the same day - it made her remarks seem more credible.

Newt is letting himself be used by the very people who really hate him. If he has some real concerns - they should be addressed to the people who can do something about it if they find him credible.

18 posted on 12/07/2003 6:41:12 PM PST by LADY J
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: somemoreequalthanothers
Gingrich has always been a very strange character-he was all hyped about re-writing the Constitution-really. He had big plans with ben Wattenberg about new things for the Nation, & then almost lost his head in a revolt lead by Armey et al. They folded & Gingrich ran out of steam. He strikes me as 'for sale' to the highest bidder.
19 posted on 12/07/2003 6:44:36 PM PST by GatekeeperBookman ("The War does indeed have many facets; http://aztlan.net/ Look at your enemy." Listen to Tancredo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Ditter
Good instinct.
20 posted on 12/07/2003 6:45:22 PM PST by GatekeeperBookman ("The War does indeed have many facets; http://aztlan.net/ Look at your enemy." Listen to Tancredo)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-34 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson