No More 'Surge' Protection? Now Oliver North Comes Out Against Iraq Plan

Editor & Publisher ^ | 1/5/07

[steve-b]

Bob Herbert and our own Joe Galloway, you'd expect -- even, by this point, Thomas Friedman -- but Oliver North? But it happened, in the hawkish Fox News contributor's new syndicated column, where he came out against President Bush's reported plan to escalate the number of U.S. troops in Iraq.

North recalls that on his recent return to Iraq, "Not one of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, Guardsmen or Marines I interviewed told me that they wanted more U.S. boots on the ground. In fact, nearly all expressed just the opposite: 'We don't need more American troops, we need more Iraqi troops,' was a common refrain. They are right."...

[edcoil]

I saw North interviewed after the speech last night on Fox and he was supporting the move.

[dforest]

I heard North this morning. He has kind of backed off this after the Presidents speech last night.

[GottaLuvAkitas1]

"I saw North interviewed after the speech last night on Fox and he was supporting the move."

I heard the same thing.
Yikes!

[My2Cents]

I saw the same. He said he probably wouldn't have been in favor of the surge, but he's willing to give the Pres. the benefit of the doubt. At least he was willing last evening.

[Star Traveler]

It may be that the surge is for the coming attack on Iran. But, of course, no one would want to say that right now.

Regards,
Star Traveler

[SerpentDove]

We live in interesting times.

[From One - Many]

Without a defined mission there is no reason to give the enemy more targets on the ground. Perhaps people are beginning to wake up?

[Brad from Tennessee]

What the U.S. needs in Iraq is an indefinite timetable to continue doing what it has been doing. If you look at the Iraqi and military blogs there is slow but sure progress--admittedly two steps back, one step forward in some months. The news media has created an alternative reality. But people in Iraq say we are slowly winning.

I think the 20,000-plus new troops, staged in Kuwait, should be shifted between Iraq and Afghanistan as opportunities present themselves.

[goodnesswins]

"Without a defined mission????"......WTH are you talking about?

[Lorianne]

I heard the same thing.

[rhombus]

He said he probably wouldn't have been in favor of the surge, but he's willing to give the Pres. the benefit of the doubt.

I have the same feeling. He's the CIC and I've had a belly full of mutiny.

[My2Cents]

That's entirely possible. I credit Bush with being able to look ahead, and I credit the media with being completely incapable of seeing the big picture.

[oolatec]

Ok, what's the mission then?

[MHGinTN]

Same here ... saw Col North's interview. This writer is mischaracterizing on purpose. Col North mentioned his coming 'war stories' coverage of Iraq. It would behoove freepers to watch that episode this weekend. I'll get the dates and post them.

[From One - Many]

Why is there is no defined mission. I can see no use in putting in more troops for target practice by the enemy. Take out sadr city or sadr's militia or stay home. I'm tired of this PC war. Allow the military to do what the military does best.....take out the bad guys. The Kurds have their act together, the problems are with the sunnis and shiites. Take the troops out of the north, and go kick butt where necessary.

[oneamericanvoice]

This piece smells, no stinks to high Heaven, because Col. North was on Hannity and @#$#$ last night and expressed just the opposite.

The surge only makes sense. With more troops we can train more Iraqis faster, and clean out the bad guys better. You have to explain it in terms that people will understand. If there is a gang infested neighborhood in their city (DC for instance) then you send in more police and the gang activity goes down. But the Dems aren't about winning, nor looking out for the Iraqis.

[princess leah]

I say that press conferences are needed and Bush needs to employ guys like Rush and Bill Bennett to get out there (invite a radio talk show host every time he holds a press conference to give him tips and give a pep talk with Bush).
I honestly think the PR with this administration has been its weakest link (and the "lets all get along policy")...Tony Snow has been its 1 positive effect but we need more to battle the thousands of media whores who trample the truth for their own agenda!

[L98Fiero]

He didn't get a phone call from Bush laying it all out to him.

[OldCorps]

It may be that the surge is for the coming attack on Iran. But, of course, no one would want to say that right now.

Nice rhetoric but unrealistic. A ground offensive against Iran would require hundreds of thousands of soldiers, which we don't have. Iran knows this and this is why nutjob keeps running his mouth.