Posted on 02/01/2007 12:08:05 PM PST by 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."
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
"I do not believe the current policy has failed," Casey said.
This is why I don't agree with the President keeping him as a commander. The guy is simply wrong.
The kind of thing that inspires the nickname, "MeCain."
What a classless blowhard.
General Casey shouldn't have been appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs -- a stupid call on Bush's part. But MeCain shouldn't be beating the man up at this point. Casey is no longer in charge of Iraq, nor is he in charge of the theater.
OK, Army chief of staff. My mistake.
Still a bad call by Bush.
So... are we going to train the Iraqis to do their job, or are we pulling double duty and going to have to police their streets as well?
My John McCain (up close and personal) story, from the 2000 South Carolina Primary.
Greenville SC - the 2000 Presidential primary - John McCain had just beaten ‘W’ in the NH primary and the “Straight Talk Express” rolled into South Carolina.
I was a McCain supporter - positive that he was the real deal.
I drove to a McCain speech and public appearance. It was a day I will never forget as long as I live.
That day I witnessed John McCain behave unlike any appearance I had ever seen on TV - the man was unhinged.
After a 15 minute canned speech - he decided to address his competition in the primary - George W. Bush. He did so by beginning with, “I am Luke Skywalker, and my opponents are members of the Empire. Together we will form the rebellion and defeat Darth Vadar”. He yelled this - first pumping - his voice full of anger - his face - beet red - and his eyes - well - they were scary.
The crowd instantly went from supportive - to bewildered.
He obviously didn’t pick up on the mood change - because he went on for another 5 minutes - ranting and raving about how everyone was lying about his record - his views - and he, “wasn’t going to take it any more” (remember the movie Network).
It was surreal.
When he finished - and with the prodding of an aid - he left the stage, while we in the crowd just stood there - stunned - and honestly - completely confused.
I asked a woman next to me: “what the hell just happened?” She answered: “that man is freaking nuts!”
I came home - walked in the house - sat on the couch and just looked at the wall. I suddenly realized - the man pushed on television - was not the man at all.
I have told this story many times - to many people - and I have heard the same story told back to me by others who have seen similar John McCain episodes.
I am not given to criticize anyone lightly ladies and gentlemen.
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!
7 posted on 01/17/2006 5:51:55 AM PST by Jake The Goose (My John McCain Story)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1559523/posts
Casey and Abizaid were both bad generals and should have gone long ago, but better late then never.
Bush finally started figuring out mid-2006 that Casey and Abaizaid were more interested in withdrawl then actually winning.
In case anyone is not clear, McPain knows, very well, three things about his comments and questions to the general:
1)they will NOT inspire PUBLIC support for our efforts in Iraq, even though Casey will no longer be top commander there;
(2)they gain LIBERAL SUPPORT FOR MCPAIN for attacking Bush in a sideways fashion by attacking the general and his efforts;
(3)they will obtain for him, McPain, more face time with his primary constituency, the media.
Every action of McPain is about one thing - HIM.
McCain needs to meet Shutta...
Shutta he** up!!
I believe it was at Cold Harbor where there were horrific casualties suffered including a disastrous third assault where his troops were slaughtered. Grant was quoted as saying," It's been a helluva day. We'll get 'em tomorrow". No one accused him of sticking with a disastrous policy. War is awful.
Mcnut is getting nutter all the time.
So true.
The Democrats have Biden, We have McCain.
Another example of when the buttons are pushed The Manchurian Candidate attacks the United States Military.
I too will be more than happy when McCain gives up on his campaign.
Oh Gawd .....spare us....
I don't think he is fit to be a Senator, let alone a nominee. Your experience matches what others have sensed from various sources. In Arizona he was known for screaming at the governor, who always seemed rather timid anyway.
I do not think he is a good man. He is an egomaniac for no good reason. What has he ever achieved? Daddy was the admiral in charge of the fleet. McCain was a womanizer, has VD, and dumped his handicapped wife for a rich second wife.
I think he would make a great dogcatcher. I would vote for that office for him.
I think you might have something here. I don't know how anyone could endure what he did as a POW (God bless him) and not have some residule effects.
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