Generals Seek to Reverse Obama's Iraq Withdrawal Decision (are generals revolting on obama??)

IPS ^

[chevydude26]

WASHINGTON, Feb 2 (IPS) - CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus, supported by Defence Secretary Robert Gates, tried to convince President Barack Obama that he had to back down from his campaign pledge to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months at an Oval Office meeting Jan. 21.

But Obama informed Gates, Petraeus and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen that he wasn't convinced and that he wanted Gates and the military leaders to come back quickly with a detailed 16-month plan, according to two sources who have talked with participants in the meeting.

Obama's decision to override Petraeus's recommendation has not ended the conflict between the president and senior military officers over troop withdrawal, however. There are indications that Petraeus and his allies in the military and the Pentagon, including Gen. Ray Odierno, now the top commander in Iraq, have already begun to try to pressure Obama to change his withdrawal policy.

A network of senior military officers is also reported to be preparing to support Petraeus and Odierno by mobilising public opinion against Obama's decision.

Petraeus was visibly unhappy when he left the Oval Office, according to one of the sources. A White House staffer present at the meeting was quoted by the source as saying, "Petraeus made the mistake of thinking he was still dealing with George Bush instead of with Barack Obama."

Petraeus, Gates and Odierno had hoped to sell Obama on a plan that they formulated in the final months of the Bush administration that aimed at getting around a key provision of the U.S.-Iraqi withdrawal agreement signed envisioned re-categorising large numbers of combat troops as support troops. That subterfuge was by the United States last November while ostensibly allowing Obama to deliver on his campaign promise...

[GeorgiaDawg32]

absolutely correct..the only people that’ll applaud are those on the FAR left who are demented anyway...everyone else is going to sit up, take notice and that’s when the waste will hit the oscillator at a high rate of speed..

[anniegetyourgun]

Oh, I dunno....but I’d start with “when he violates his oath of office.”

[pgyanke]

Reporter: 0bama, are the generals revolting?

0bama: Yes, they're disgusting!

[silverleaf]

When a President, before he is elected to office, without the knowledge of Congress, conducts covert negotiations with the enemy

Thn as CinC, ordersmen to risk their lives in a battle he does not plan for them to win.

[NittanyLion]

Petraeus should simply resign.

[pgyanke]

“... against all enemies, foreign and domestic...”

[stockpirate]

Say ya want a revolution, well ya know, we’d all love to see the plan. Beatles.

[ChicagahAl]

"He’s trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory."

Thankfully, it may actually be too late for that. I realize that there is more work to be done in Iraq, but the critical mass of success may have already been reached, and the momentum of the Iraqi people is toward success.

[Valpal1]

Sadly, I think you may be right, that such little things will affect policy because a narcissist is president.

[Tallguy]

Didn’t the article make it pretty clear that it would be “retired officers” who would be making the public case for a slower withdrawal? I didn’t read it that Petraus or Odierno would be leading the charge...

[JSteff]

“The military’s objective in a war is to win. Pres. Obama’s objective is to withdraw the troops. He’s trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.”

Happened in Vietnam. Then it took us 10 years to convince our allies and friends that we were still a superpower and if they stood with us they could count on us.

Obama must not have read any history. Dolt

[ChicagahAl]

"Sedition"

I'm pretty sure that Sedition is the advocating for the overthrow of the US government. Not simply stating that the President is a moron.

There is that part of the Oath concerning allegiance to the Commander In Chief, so any General who want to go public might have to retire first, then go on Fox News and state the obvious.

[reagan_fanatic]

Petraeus should simply resign

I agree. A man of honor simply could not serve under someone like Obama and keep his self-respect.

[Red Steel]

Keeping score:

- close Gitmo

- 10% reduction in the defense budget

- withdrawal from Iraq without analysis of the consequences

- aids have said gays can serve openly in the military

- 80% reduction in nuclear weapons

Did I miss anything?

And its only been two weeks of Obama.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

People will die. There will be an attack either on our soil or foreign soil. How many will have to die before he realizes the war is real?

[Colonial Warrior]

Liberty once lost is lost forever." John Adams, July 7, 1775

[JSteff]

“Petraeus should simply resign.”

And the balance of the Generals and admirals.

[Frantzie]

Wait for more next week. This is from a guy who still refuses to release his birth certificate. Let me tell you - no guy born in Kenya should be risking any American soldiers life. And if he was born in HI, which I doubt, I want to know who came up with $750 million to elect him.

[matt1234]

Here's what I'd like to see if 0bama insists on premature withdrawal: All Joint Chiefs resign their commissions simultaneously. On the same day, they hold a press conference stating that they resigned over the dispute; furthermore, that they tried every means of persuasion, but that 0bama refused to head their unanimous advice. Military confidence—and public confidence—in 0bama crumbles.

[TennTuxedo]

Would it not be ironic if Petreus ran against ZerO in the 2012 election?