Armed Services Senator: War Lasting Too Long

NewsMax.com ^ | 4/02/03 | With Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

After just 14 days of combat in Iraq, at least one member of the Senate Armed Services Committee has begun grumbling that the war is lasting too long.

"We had one of the leading Senators here on the Armed Services Committee say, 'Gee, this could last a month,'" an exasperated Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, revealed Wednesday morning.

"I mean, give me a break," the Utah Republican told radioman Don Imus. "These armchair generals who are complaining that the war is taking too long and that we should have won this already - we're only two weeks into this."

After detailing the astounding progress of U.S. forces in defeating Saddam Hussein armies, Hatch mused, "How can it be okay for 'American Idol' to take ten weeks to pick a winner, but the war's suddenly off track in two weeks? To me it's unbelievable."

The first Gulf War, which involved merely driving Iraqi forces from Kuwait, lasted more than two months.

Though Sen. Hatch did not reveal the same of the Senator who complained that a month was too long to liberate Iraq, the Senate Armed Services Committee includes two of the Bush administration's most outspoken war critics, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-WVa.

In Jan., Clinton complained that the U.S. was not prepared for the consequences of an Iraq war, warning, "If we do [attack Iraq] then we've got to be ready for retaliation, not just on our own shores, but against Americans all over the world.... We are not yet ready to take that on, in my view."

Clinton has also boasted that she will use her post on the Armed Services Committee to sharpen her criticism of Bush's war policy, explaining, "As I learn more about the operations of our various military services what I have to say may be better grounded."

Just days before the Iraq war was launched on March 19, Sen. Byrd complained that the "nations weeps" because of the Bush administration's decision to rush into battle.

Other prominent Democratic Senators on the Armed Services Committee who have emerged as staunch war critics include Michigan Sen. Carl Levin and Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

DNC
Saddam Hussein/Iraq

[craig61a]

Yep - The usual suspects

[prairiebreeze]

Levin, Kennedy, Bryd and Clintoon. You couldn't wish for a bigger flock of vultures.

Prairie

[MEG33]

Fifth column... Hillary on the Armed Services Committee.

[Pontiac]

., Clinton complained that the U.S. was not prepared for the consequences of an Iraq war, warning, "If we do [attack Iraq] then we've got to be ready for retaliation, not just on our own shores, but against Americans all over the world.... We are not yet ready to take that on, in my view."

We’re the most powerful nation on the planet, who is better prepared?

[BibChr]

You couldn't wish for a bigger flock of vultures.

Sure that's the right bird?

How 'bout loons?

Dan

[Blue Collar Christian]

Sorta reminds you of the immaturity that causes kids to ask, "Are we there yet?"

[coloradan]

Nine month military buildup = "rushing to war."

Two weeks of figthing, with enormous military gains = "quagmire."

Ahh, the joys of liberal "thinking."

[kayak]

After detailing the astounding progress of U.S. forces in defeating Saddam Hussein armies, Hatch mused, "How can it be okay for 'American Idol' to take ten weeks to pick a winner, but the war's suddenly off track in two weeks? To me it's unbelievable."

Way to go, Senator Hatch!

[Taft in '52]

If this war lasts only a month, it will be our shortest major war. After all, the Moro War lasted 15 years, the Vietnam War lasted 12 years, the Revolution lasted eight years, the War Between the States lasted four years, and World War II lasted 45 months. Even Desert Storm took longer than a month.

[cookcounty]

Probably, it was the Senator married to "Flash" Clinton.

[alloysteel]

(April 2, 2003)NORMANDY INVASION OK TO GO!

Troops, who have been anticipating this invasion for nearly six decades, are "pumped and ready to hit the beaches", according to a press release from US Army Information Officer Brig. Gen. Hillary Rodham. Gen. Rodham, who was commissioned in 2000, has risen rapidly through the ranks, and is expected to assume command of the entire military establishment upon the triumphant entry into Berlin. Gen. Rodham has been described as "tough, but fair" by USMC Cpl. James Carville, a personal bodyguard that has always been in the company of Gen. Rodham, and believed to be the source of the many inspired statements that Gen. Rodham has made on television and before the President-for-life, Jimmy Carter.

[The Great RJ]

Obviously these guys don't read much history. What we have accomplished so far would be like US forces in WW-II moving from the Normandy Beaches to within 20 miles of Berlin by mid June 1944.

[CurlyBill]

Slowly, America is waking up to this and learning how far left some of these people are.

[allodialman]

How 'bout loons?

Hey....you just trashed our state bird (MINNESOTA)

[Sacajaweau]

Sure sounds like Hillary. Wait till she finds out how many soldiers vote Republican.

We are the best trained, the best equipped, the most moral, the most compassionate army on earth.

She may find that the women vote tips to "I want our country and the world safer for my children and grandchildren and Saddam is a threat to that" making the women's other issues trivial.

[BibChr]

Sorry... thought that was the mosquito.

Dan

[Enduring Freedom]

Hillary knows best. After all, she is the smartest whore in the world.

[benjaminthomas]

What we have accomplished so far would be like US forces in WW-II moving from the Normandy Beaches to within 20 miles of Berlin by mid June 1944.

I bow to no one in my admiration for and support of our troops and what they are doing today. But this statement is frankly ridiculous.

[js1138]

The real problem here is the dems can't possibly hope to match Bush's performance. Imagine looking forward to the future led by Carter or Clinton (either one). War and foreign policy will dominate American politics for the next decade or two -- just as the Depression dominated politics in the 30s.