McCain assails top U.S. commander in Iraq (Gen Casey to become next Army chief of staff)

Los Angeles Times ^ | February 1, 2007 8:53 AM PST | Julian E. Barnes, Times Staff Writer

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

WASHINGTON --

John McCain, the leading Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, today took to task Gen. George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq, accusing him of being the architect of a failed strategy and failing to take the correct steps to improve the security situation.

Casey, nominated to become the next Army chief of staff, faced a series of tough questions from McCain and other senators. The general found himself trying to navigate through a committee of senators with wildly different opinions about the troop increase in Iraq.

It was McCain, the leading advocate in the Senate for increasing the number of troops in Iraq, who had the toughest questions for Casey. He accused Casey of failing to adapt his strategy as the sectarian violence grew worse over the course of 2006.

"Our military strategy remained unchanged," McCain said. "Instead of mounting a traditional counterinsurgency campaign, our troops focused on training the Iraqis … our forces did not focus on protecting the population."

Although he would have to provide the forces to support the mission as Army chief of staff, Casey would have no direct influence over Iraq policy. Still, the majority of senators' questions focused on Casey's leadership in Iraq and the new strategy announced by the White House.

At the beginning of the hearing, McCain said he had questions about Casey's nomination. Quoting from Casey's press conferences, McCain said the general had regularly offered overly optimistic assessments oabout the progress in Iraq.

"Why have your predictions of success been so unrealistically rosy?" McCain asked. "You stated we were winning and every day we were making progress toward our strategic goals."

[NoBullZone]

I seriously doubt it - their egos are too big for either to take the VP slot; and even if she would, would YOU want to be the only thing standing between Hillary and the Presidency?

[lowbridge]

I don't know how anyone could endure what he did as a POW (God bless him) and not have some residule effects.

That reminds me of another, former, Senator. I believe it was Jeremiah Denton (I could be wrong). He too was a POW in Vietnam who ran and was elected in 1981 as a solid conservative Republican. Yet he voted like a liberal. In frustration, one of his fellow Republicans yelled at him: "What did they (the Democrats) do to you that the Vietcong couldn't?"

Jeremiah served only one term as the people replaced him with a Democrat (Shelby).

[pogo101]

I can sorta concur with McCain (that the effort in Iraq has been disappointing in a general sense) while still believing that his highly-public comments are little more than Hagel-ian grandstanding. "Look at ME! I'm a MAVERICK!"

[The Inspector]

Now that was a little strong I think. I'm not going to defend his stance on many issues, but to answer the question "what has he ever achieved?" - try survival of 5 and half years in a Vietnamese prison. He was also awarded the Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross among other decorations. Having his "Daddy" as Admiral was not exactly a perk when it came to his prison time. He may be all wrong on some issues but he is a patriot.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

He may be all wrong on some issues but he is a patriot.

I think he is a patriot ....I was very impressed with his demeanor when he and Lieberman addresed the AEI session (shown on CSPAN ) regarding Iraq after they returned from there.

[bcsco]

No one accused him of sticking with a disastrous policy.

Grant's 'policy' (which was approved by Lincoln) was to wear the Army of Northern Virginia down and force it to fight openly where the superior force of the Army of the Potomac would win. That was not a disastrous policy. The problem was that Lee was too successful getting his army always behind virtually insurmountable entrenchments, and the staff of the Army of the Potomac, from Mead's level on down, was woefully slow in getting things done, and even incompetent - which greatly contributed to Lee's success. Bruce Catton hits this nail on the head in his 'A Stillness At Appomattox'

It wasn't the policy, per se, that caused the war to drag on another year from the date Grant crossed the Rapidan.

[sine_nomine]

Well, there are different versions of his captivity. I was not there so I will judge him on his constant back-stabbing behavior in the Senate, dumping his handicapped wife, etc.

[jonrick46]

It is obvious that there is a desire to avoid all mention of Iran and Syria's involvement. Last summer, when Iran and Syria were involved with Syria, there efforts in Iraq wained. It was at that time we saw improvements in Iraq and a sense of optimism that our policy was working. Once Iraq and Syria turned back their focus on Iraq, things deteriorated quickly; in time for the November elections and the conditions we see now.

What is not told is that Iran and Syria have limits on their resources to sustain their efforts. When they have bottomed out, victory will be at hand.

[evad]

I am sure John McCain is a good man - but listen to me - and please believe me. JOHN MCCAIN is NOT FIT TO LEAD THIS NATION. John McCain is unstable. John McCain is freaking nuts!

And that basically sums up everything I and others on this forum have said about the man.

I personally believe it has everything to do with his torture during the war but whatever the reason, he is unfit in that he is unstable, unpredictable and can come unhinged in a heartbeat.

Nothing person against him but I would truly vote for The Beast before I would vote for this man.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Thanks for repeating your McCain personaql experience. McCain seems to blame Bush for his failure in S.C. and I often wondered what actually happened there. Now I see and it fits what others have said about McCain's temper.

[TigersEye]

I'd like to add a link to your post to my list with your permission.

The Real McCain

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO"

SEN. JOHN McCAIN: THE ULTIMATE "RHINESTONE HERO" Part II

John McCain Gets Soros Cash

John McCain Is No Hero

U.S. Sen. John McCain is no War Hero

John McCain: The Manchurian Candidate

JOHN MCCAIN, WARTS AND ALL

John McCain, you treasonous bastard, I challenge you or any of your traitorous cohorts... (thread by Jim Robinson)

McCain Is Booed by Labor Activists

McCain Rides to Kerry's Rescue: "John Kerry is Not Weak on Defense" (Today Show alert)

John McCain SCREAMS AT 9/11 FSA MEMBERS FOR OPPOSING HIS BILL TO GIVE AMNESTY FOR ILLEGALS

John McCain's Skeleton Closet

A number of articles on McCain. (some the same as above)

McCain/Soros by Rabbi Areyh Spero

Soros' "Reform" (an article about Soros‘ instrumental hand in McCain/Feingold)

Not Child‘s Play [McCain/Schumer bill could effect FR?]

McCain's Letter (McCain aligns with Global Enviro activists)

McCain Looked into Caucusing with Democrats

Climate bill sets stage for debate (Sens. McCain, Obama, and Lieberman join forces)

McCain Still Disliked by Fiscal Conservatives (Club For Growth)

John McCain Goes Left for Money

Sens. Snowe, Collins to head Maine exploratory committee for McCain

[ElPatriota]

...John McCain, the leading Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, today took to task Gen. George Casey, the top American commander in Iraq, accusing him of being the architect of a failed strategy and failing to take the correct steps to improve the security situation....

I GUESS SOME OLD “HABITS” NEVER GO AWAY…. A TRAITOR CAN BE A TRAITOR ANY TIME… WATCH YOUR BACK!

What this man did to his own party goes straight to the quality of his character. "With friends like these who needs enemies!" the saying goes and could not apply any better in this case.

Live and learn my friends, check out the links… The first one may take a few seconds but it’s still active.

http://www.townhall.com/Columnists/HughHewitt/2006/11/08/the_road_not_taken__forfeiting_a_majority

http://hughhewitt.townhall.com/Transcript_Page.aspx?ContentGuid=27647fd2-19d7-41a8-8d20-202424db1ea8

[lowbridge]

Thanks for repeating your McCain personaql experience.

THat's not MY personal experience. That experience belongs to "Jake The Goose".