Unfortunately that's an ambiguous goal unless defined in concrete terms. For instance, Saddam is gone, Iraq is free, they've a constitution and everything. As for standing on their own, what could that possibly mean? Economically? Militarily? Seems like it would be easier for America to see the end game if the end game were better defined.
End Game: When all terrorists have ceded in Iraq. Have we pulled out of Japan or Germany??? It's only been like what SIXTY YEARS! They stand on their own, but we're still there. Who defined an "exit strategy"? That's code-speak for surrender.
Hmm.. you're sounding like a DU feeler there.
Echoing what Murtha said.
And you've been in thread to see how well Murthas words were taken.
It would be easy for islamofascists to see 'our end game' if defined in concrete terms. You conveniently forget we have many leakers on the floors and media more than willing to get it to The Arab press circle.
YOU know VERY well what the "end game" is.....it's VICTORY and stabilization....we're still in Japan, Germany, S. Korea, etc.....what's the end game there....figure those out FIRST, then get back to us.
Do you want America to pull a Nam cut and run?
Should America have stayed out of WW II? Should America have not rebuilt and stabalized Japan? How about Germany?
Why are you on FR? You certainly aren't a Conservative.
"Seems like it would be easier for America to see the end game if the end game were better defined."
Someone once said, "Once the shooting starts, a plan is just a guess in a party dress."
Well how about this for a good definition of the end goal.
When more than 3 months can go by without a single car bomb or American GI getting blown to bits by an IED. When the people of Iraq can apply for a job with the police and military without being shot and blown up while waiting in line to fill out an app. When they can vote and walk to school or the grocery store without fearing for their lives.
Oh, and of course your response will be, "yeah, that sounds good, but what's the plan? How do we do this?"
Simple, Make it clear that we are going NOWHERE until these conditions are met. If it takes 1 year or 10, the terrorists will loose and we will keep killing them until they are all dead if that's what it takes.
Talk of wanting a time table and pulling troops out does nothing but extend the process by emboldening the enemy. The only thing they need to know is that if they fight against a free Iraq they will die.
It doesn't take a rocket scientists to figure this out. Do you really need the President to tell you these things?