Rumsfeld Challenges Rice on 'Tactical Errors' in Iraq

Washington Post ^ | April 6, 2006 | Josh White

[jmc1969]

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said he did not know what Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice was talking about when she said last week that the United States had made thousands of "tactical errors" in handling the war in Iraq.

Speaking during a radio interview on WDAY in Fargo, N.D., on Tuesday, Rumsfeld said calling changes in military tactics during the war "errors" reflects a lack of understanding of warfare. Rumsfeld defended his war plan for Iraq but added that such plans inevitably do not survive first contact with the enemy.

Hennen asked Rumsfeld: "Do you agree with that? Have we made thousands of tactical errors? And does that concern you?"

Rumsfeld replied: "I don't know what she was talking about, to be perfectly honest."

Rumsfeld pointed to the nature of the Iraq war -- unpredictable from the start -- as the reason the United States has had to change tactics over the past three years.

"If you had a static situation and you made a mistake in how you addressed the static situation, that would be one thing," he said. "What you have here is not a static situation, you have a dynamic situation with an enemy that thinks, uses their brain, constantly adjusts, and therefore our commanders have to constantly make tactical adjustments."

[Peach]

I was pretty surprised when Condi said that we'd made a thousand errors in Iraq; it was a tactical mis-step and I'm glad Rumsfeld has addressed it.

[advance_copy]

Donald Rumsfeld is cool, he radiates cool, he defines cool, he is the icon of cool.

[Dr. Frank fan]

The larger point Rice was making (that adapting well to events is far, far, more important than Having The Mythical Perfect Plan) was actually a good one. However, I see Rumsfeld's point too in resisting the characterization of "tactical errors", if that's what she called them.

[mylife]

The Post trying to make much ado about nothing.
Rice wasn't criticizing,She was just being realistic

[The_Media_never_lie]

Not keeping Saddam's army on the payroll was a strategic mistake. Hindsight's 20/20, though.

[TomGuy]

When I heard the report a few days ago that Dr. Rice said "a thousand errors in Iraq", I though the reporter was exaggerating. After seeing this article, I guess Dr. Rice did say it. I don't blame SecDef for being upset. I doubt Dr. Rice is a tactical expert.

[Didn't SecDef have a similar problem of being second guessed by the previous SoS?]

[RightWhale]

She said 'tactical errors' didn't she? That is a lot different from strategic errors. Every battle has tactical errors. She didn't have to say that, though.

[madison10]

Maybe Dr. Rice did not mean military tactical errors, maybe she meant diplomatic tactical errors. If that's not what she meant...she should have kept silent and not handed out verbal ammunition to the MSM.

[SevenMinusOne]

Again SecDef Rumsfeld sets the record straight - SecState Rice was simply wrong in her comments.

[demkicker]

was pretty surprised when Condi said that we'd made a thousand errors in Iraq; it was a tactical mis-step and I'm glad Rumsfeld has addressed it.

Me too, Peach. It's one thing to critique the military in order to prevent repeating mistakes, but a mistake free war has never been fought and I was very dismayed by Condi's remarks and very glad Rummy gave what I think is a perfect retort. Ball's in Condi's court and she needs to 'splain herself.

[pollyannaish]

I think it is just a clarification.

Something can be a mistake in hindsight, but not in the moment.

I completely understand what was being said. I think that "tactical" was the unfortunate word. The concept is fine, and I'm sure one that Rumsfeld would agree with.

[demkicker]

Donald Rumsfeld is cool, he radiates cool, he defines cool, he is the icon of cool.

*Ditto* I don't think kindly of our Secretary of State throwing red meat to the MSM enemy by claiming we've made thousands of tactical errors. Geeze, if she's not trying to p*ss Rummy off then what was she thinking?

[Txsleuth]

I think both are right....in that I think Condi was just using a figure of speech (unwise as it was)..born out of State Department mentality...

And, of course Rummy is right that in war it may be tactical changes...not mistakes...

BTW, one of the radio stations I listen to carries Alan Colmes radio show LIVE at night...

They previewed a pre-recorded interview he did today with John Kerry...and said that there is strong evidence of a major shake up coming in the Bush Administration...

And asked Kerry if Rummy getting fired is one of them...and Kerry said it should be, because the Iraq war is the "worst fought, most inept run war....blah, blah"

LIKE KERRY KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT FIGHTING!

[RightWhale]

Right. She would have been referring to the activities of State rather than the Pentagon.

[fish hawk]

Just one of many reasons that I would not vote for Rice for President. This proves to me that WE don't really know very much about her or how she thinks. Could be a full on Rino and we have enough of them already.

[exit82]

Yeah, Kerry's a real military expert. Piloting a Boston Whaler for five months of a thirteen month tour.

Getting five medals in three and a half months by writing your own after action reports--now, that he's an expert in!

[Dead Dog]

Condi needs a brief on manuever warfare if she's gonna be POTUS.

Observe
Orient
Decide
Act

Change is not only expected, it is mandatory.

[SquirrelKing]

Donald Rumsfeld is cool, he radiates cool, he defines cool, he is the icon of cool.

Break it down...

[dreammaker]

"I was pretty surprised when Condi said that we'd made a thousand errors in Iraq; it was a tactical mis-step and I'm glad Rumsfeld has addressed it."

Wrong page. Wrong timing. Damage done.

I expect a few dozen books to be published after the President's term is over, and it won't be pretty.