Gingrich calls Iraq war a 'failure'

The Boston Globe ^ | 11/29/06 | James W. Pindell

[atlaw]

And what would things be like if we hadn't gone to afganistan and iraq?

Afganistan and Iraq are not inextricably intertwined. The proper question is -- what would things be like had we gone into Afganistan, and stayed out of Iraq?

[misterrob]

The invasion and overthrow was brilliantly done in spite of the Turks unwillingness to allow our heavy armor to come rolling down from the north. It's the aftermath that simply hasn't worked out. The US allowed an insurgency to take hold that gave room for a guy like Sadr to enjoy a level of influence that he never should have been able to achieve. They have allowed Syria and Iran to embed their agents in the country and raise hell without any retribution. They decided to rebuild a country with our tax dollars looking to win hearts and minds when too many of the population are mindless savages who are looking to settle scores instead of build their country. The invasion was long overdue but the post invasion plans have been rather ineffective. I measure that by the blood of our soldiers.

[wouldntbprudent]

Please, Newt, explain to me, in particulars, how the Iraq war can be deemed a "failure."

A work in significant progress, yes. At least as messy as the occupation of Europe after WWII, yes.

But a "failure"? Hardly.

Does Newt think this is going to gain him some kind of points and, if so, with whom? Just askin'.

[<1/1,000,000th%]

Governments of poor countries will always hate us.

They can't give their citizens what they want; blue jeans, iPODS, home computers, etc.

Their only option is to blame their problems on us for somehow holding them back or stealing their resources.

So we have the option of sitting back and defending ourselves whenever someone pops up and attacks us, or try to make them more like us so they can have material wealth and debased culture, like we have.

This will be the history of the next several hundred years.

[gatorbait]

heard the Iraqis have had two or three elections.
Yeah, and elected two pro-Iranian fundamentalists: Maliki and Sadr.

Yeah, and it would appear the unappeasables here in the U.S. did too.

[rob777]

"While Newt is not helping on this by using the terminology I can't see why anyone should be disagreeing with him."




There are too many people who equate criticism of our policy with embracing the Democrats. I supported the toppling of Saddam, as did most Americans, but I have never been all that enthusiastic with the Willsonian adventure in nation building. We should of focused more on setting up a secure government that would not harbor terrorists and then let the Iraquis decide for themselves if they wanted to make the transisition to a democratic form of government.

[Souled_Out]

"We will not win this war unless the PC is removed and we just go in there and kick ass. "

---

Exactly, that is phase three.

For any of you dunder heads that cannot figure out that this PC crap is a quick path to defeat, someone like Newt is here to tell you.

So you whine and complain that he told you and the World that the current course is a failure.

Would you prefer to just let things go on, convincing yourself that it is a raging success?

[spintreebob]

There is a need to separate "the Iraq war" into distinct parts.
- The goal
- The tactics
- The majority of Iraq that is peaceful and safer than our Nations capital.
- The parts of Iraq that are just as dangerous as certain parts of Washington DC.

Bush and the pro-war supporters need to compare Iraq to our own "war on drugs" or "war on crime" or whatever we in the USA can relate to.

[KC_Conspirator]

"The war was not a failure, but this occupation is."

Yes, thats totally right. What kills me is that those of us for 2 years have been saying that they have to do things different, for one be aggressive, act like an occupier, and have a PR effort, have been ignored. Now we have Newt pandering. Pathetic.

[subterfuge]

Newt's become Henry Kissinger without the accent. No real power, lots of opinion and a complicit media when he sides with their wish to bash the administration, which is about 50% of the time.

Yep, he's running and furiously trying to court the moderates of the left.

[RockinRight]

I have to say I pretty much think Newt's right about this...

[TexKat]

I am torn trying to make a decision. Jiffy-Pop or Orville Redenbacher's?

Jiffy-Pop and Dr. Pepper will do.

[kabar]

What is going on now is not working all that well, and we need to admit that before we can rethink the strategy to win (*not* withdrawal).

Privately, the military and political leadership is reviewing constantly what went right and what went wrong. In any war, you have to be flexible and adjust. Publicly, Bush has already said he will listen to the Baker Study group. What Newt wants Bush to do is admit publicly that the war is a failure. What good will that do in winning the war? You have a leader who just said the War in Iraq was a failure, but now follow me because I have a new plan. Bush is finished as a leader if he admits publicly that the war is a failure.

[advertising guy]

damn Newt, that is a deal breaker....

[kabar]

let the Iraquis decide for themselves if they wanted to make the transisition to a democratic form of government.

They decided in three different elections when up to 12 million Iraqis braved life and limb to vote.

[Swordfished]

All the posters praising Newt these past few weeks are eerily quiet.

I'm waiting for word to get out that Jeb Bush once wore mismatched socks...the horror! He'll be sunk!

[LS]

And he thinks THIS will win him points with "the base?" Looks like we won't have Newt to kick around any more.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

Bush and the pro-war supporters need to compare Iraq to our own "war on drugs" or "war on crime"

Stunningly brilliant idea! Since the War on Drugs has been such a tremendous success, costing only 5,000% more than projected, and only killing tens of thousands. I will never forget that afternoon when Drugs signed the formal Armistice aboard a Coast Guard cutter off of the coast of Peru. Still makes me misty-eyed. The War on Crime has been even better. Since people no longer have anything to hide, we can search their homes and persons without warrants or probable cause. You should really be a consultant to the GOP. And I mean it.

[jamese777]

"They decided in three different elections when up to 12 million Iraqis braved life and limb to vote."

And they selected the Islamic Al-Dawa party, founded by Muqtada al-Sadr's uncle to run their government. Islamic Al-Dawa is a Shiite fundamentalist political party.

[L98Fiero]

"Say what? That democracy and stablity are on the march in Iraq and Maliki is a believer in individual freedom? Is that what he should say?"

LOL! Good point! He should just lie to make FReeprs feel better.