Posted on 11/15/2006 4:32:21 PM PST by MadIvan
General John Abizaid, the top US commander in the Middle East, on Wednesday warned that a phased withdrawal of US troops within six months, which some Democrats want, would increase sectarian violence in Iraq.
Gen Abizaid also drew the ire of John McCain, the Arizona senator and Republican frontrunner for the 2008 presidential race, by saying he did not believe more troops would help the US stop the bloodshed in the war-torn country.
“I believe more American forces prevent the Iraqis from doing more, taking more responsibility for their future,” Gen Abizaid said at a contentious Senate armed services hearing.
Democrats, and many Republicans, are stepping up pressure on the Bush administration to change course in Iraq in the wake of last week’s congressional elections, which were largely seen as a referendum on US policy on Iraq.
“I am…disappointed that basically you’re advocating that status quo here today which I think the American people in the last election said that is not an acceptable condition for the American people,” Mr McCain told Gen Abizaid.
Gen Abizaid was testifying before the committee for the first time since President George W. Bush announced last week that he was replacing Donald Rumsfeld, defence secretary, with Robert Gates, a former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
In August, Gen Abizaid told the same committee that Iraq could descend into civil war if the violence in Baghdad was not curtailed. But on Wedneday he said he believed the situation in Iraq had improved since then.
The four-star general said that while the level of violence in Iraq “remain dangerously high” he remains “optimistic” that the US can stabilise Iraq.
Many Democrats, including Carl Levin, who will become chairman of the Senate armed services committee in January, argue that the US needs to pressure the Iraqis by announcing a timetable to start withdrawing troops within four to six months.
But Gen Abizaid stressed that setting timelines for withdrawals would impede the US effort in Iraq. “We need flexibility to manage our forces...Caps and specific timetables limit that flexibility,” he said.
Regards, Ivan
Ping!
Huh? I don't think so. In any event, McCain will step in manure if it is within a hundred yards of him.
Amen
McCain = self-serving, egomaniac, opportunistic RINO.
Remember what this backstabber did with the "Gang of 14". A major downside for the Repubs.
Notice that the main dispute, Abizaid v. Democrats, is not the headline...
McNut adopting the Democrat spin on the meaning of the election.
The President, as Commander in Chief, has not been replaced by any elected officials. The CIC is in charge of foreign affairs for the U.S. --- NOT CONGRESS. When will major news media outlets stop implying the opposite?
Regards, Ivan
And McCain's face still isn't symmetrical and he still doesn't have a neck.
I heard some clips of this hearing on The Jerry Doyle show. Hilly Clinton tried to sound all badass & tough by saying 'Hope isn't a strategy.' The general let her finish and he agreed, but then chided her by saying 'despair' isn't a strategy, either. Hot stuff!
So basically what McCain is saying is that the American military is to be run by the ignorant masses educated by the drive by media. I truly believe Mr. McCain is an ignorant mass.
I amy have to re-evaluate, with staements like these it is obvious that McCain is off his meds again.
Turning miliatry strategy and tactics over to the hoi polloi is not something I can get behind. You know what I mean?
MeCain is at it again...
No, now we need to fix the IP.
So basically what McCain is saying is that the American military is to be run by the ignorant masses educated by the drive by media. I truly believe Mr. McCain is an ignorant mass.
So basically what McCain is saying is that the American military is to be run by the ignorant masses educated by the drive by media. I truly believe Mr. McCain is an ignorant mass.
His dispute with McCain was equally important. McCain wants more troops sent. The top general there says McCain is wrong. It's good that we have learned the military doesn't agree with McCain. Anytime McEgomaniac gets slapped down, there should be a headline.
“I am…disappointed that basically you’re advocating that status quo here today which I think the American people in the last election said that is not an acceptable condition for the American people,” Mr McCain told Gen Abizaid.
Note how he used "American people" twice in that one sentence. Way to drive that particular nail home, Johnny me lad.
Regards, Ivan
What does the mass opinion of the populace have to do with a correct military strategy? What is this, the audience input portion of "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire"?
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