Posted on 09/14/2009 9:20:55 AM PDT by jazusamo
House defense spending cardinal John Murtha, an early bellwether of congressional opposition to the Iraq war, has made his strongest comments yet opposing more U.S. troops for the war in Afghanistan.
The Pennsylvania lawmaker and Vietnam veteran, who plays a crucial role in forming the budgets that would fund an increased troop presence, is skeptical of the basic logic of adding personnel.
"In Vietnam it took 500,000 troops and that didn't solve the problem. So we have to take a different approach," Murtha told The Cable in an exclusive interview. "I think that's what McChrystal is trying to do," he said, referring to Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the top U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, who recently delivered a status report to the White House on the situation there.
Murtha's dissent comes at a critical juncture, with the Washington debate heating up and public support for the war effort dropping. The Pennsylvania congressman is only the latest senior Democratic lawmaker to come out against a troop increase, following similar statements last week by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Armed Services Committee chairman Carl Levin.
But opposition from Murtha, who has deep contacts among the military brass, could ultimately prove more problematic for an Obama administration that has yet to launch a full-throated to defense of the war. In 2005, the congressman's call for a rapid pullout from Iraq rallied the anti-war camp and led to a series of fights with the Bush administration over restrictions that Democrats sought but ultimately failed to attach to war funds. This time, he's going against a president of his own party.
McChrystal's status report did not include specific requests for more troops. Those are expected in the coming weeks. But Murtha said that it was premature to add more troops to Afghanistan...
(Excerpt) Read more at thecable.foreignpolicy.com ...
When we are hit again I hope this POS resigns.
“Murtha to Obama: No more troops”
####
EyeGuy to Murtha: No more oxygen.
Looks like Pelosi still owns the fat man.
You go to Okinawa (if they will have you) and get out of America's way.
Amen to that but I really believe the only way he’ll leave the House is feet first or charged and convicted of corruption, preferably the latter.
I despise this man.
How many troops do we have in total and how many are LEFT on our soil? Do you know?
I worry about sending so many off that no one is left to defend us if anything happens here of domestic or foreign origin.
Praying for your grandbabies to be!
No more troops Ping!
Murtha to Obama: No more troops
Pennsylvanians to Murtha: STFU and go away...
Has anyone stepped up to oppose this cretin in 2010?
Never, Never Forget !
In Vietnam it took 500,000 troops and that didn’t solve the problem. So we have to take a different approach,” Murtha told
Ah,Mr Murtha,this is not Vietnam and we are not fighting the Communist backed by the Chinese.How about you allow the Soldiers who are there to decide what is needed and what is not needed.
Good questions. Wish I knew the answer. I can say this, judging by the numbers that showed up in D.C. on Sept 12th, there are plenty here at home not wearing a military uniform that will fight - even if it means fighting against the tyranny of our own current government.
Thanks for the prayers.
SD
We need a time table NOW!!!!!
TRAITORS!!!!!!
The Rats don’t want this war and a good portion of conservatives have given up as well. We are not in deep trouble in Afghanistan, but we are in deep trouble in the US.
As much as I hate to say it, but we have lost the war in the US. The result will be calamity for the Afghan people and part of Pakistan. There is no strategy to win with less troops. We may or may not get hit again by Afghanistan based Islamic terrorists, but the Rats don’t care..and a lot of conservatives don’t think it will happen. Denial is not just a river in Egypt. We’ve lost.
Inquiries to:
POBox 630, Johnstown, PA 15907
Tel. 814-525-9171
A) Outside of prison
B) Still in office
C) Above ground
??
Yep, the new ROE are criminal. The powers that be in the military had better get Zer0’s attention.
Murtha just wants to prolong the war so as to prolong his war profiteering. Troops in harms way decreases public support and threatens his cash cow. No surprise here.
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