Posted on 03/12/2007 7:29:57 AM PDT by seanmerc
General Tommy Franks, the former Commander-in-Chief of U.S. Central Command who led U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, tells NewsMax that he is squarely behind the controversial "surge" of troops.
"The reason that I say this is a good idea is because that's what the leaders on the ground are saying," says Franks, speaking from Hobart, Okla., the future home of the General Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum.
As head of the U.S. Central Command, Franks oversaw American military operations in a 25-country region, including the Middle East. He took the position in July 2000 and served until his retirement on July 7, 2003.
Franks, 61, was the U.S. general who led the attack on the Taliban in Afghanistan following 9/11, and he led the 2003 invasion of Iraq that overthrew Saddam Hussein. He was also Commander-in-Chief of the American occupation forces.
In a free-ranging exclusive interview, Franks set the record straight on the surge and a host of thorny subjects, and revealed the following about President Bush and his administration:
President Bush was never in a rush to invade Iraq.
Bush was always a good leader – calm, studious and deliberative – and was never steam-rolled by his top advisors, but was always his own man.
Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is getting a bum rap.
No administration would have allowed Iraq to continue with business-as-usual after 9/11.
There was plenty of planning and preparation for post-invasion operations in Iraq.
There is a definable limit to what the U.S. will tolerate as to Iran and Syria's interference in Iraq.
The Walter Reed hospital debacle resulted from "failed leadership."
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
I'm not a fan of NewsMax; however, this is an EXCELLENT article!
Hunter/Franks 08!!!
Outstanding! America's finest BUMP! Tommy Franks for President!
I LIKE IT!!!
General Franks is behind the surge? Considering how badly he botched the occupation of Iraq, I'm surprised that he'd weigh in. History isn't going to be kind to him, regardless of how well the initial campaign went.
bump
Thank you it brought tear and joy because there is a good fight still going and our military is doing the right thing.
God Bless them and love them! And we have Generals like Tommy Franks!
There's nothing so-called about it. It's botched. While I don't care for Gen Powell in the least, trying to pin this on him isn't going to stick. Gen Franks had no interest or ability in stabilizing Iraq after he took it over. While his leadership in shattering the Iraqi army was textbook stuff that will be taught and studied for years, he completely dropped the ball after the first few weeks. There are others, like Bremer, Rumsfeld, and President Bush, who are to blame, as well, but Franks is one of the key figures who got us where we are today.
I wish the General was squarely behind running for POTUS. A fella can dream can't he?
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