[Miss Marple]

The comment that CLINTON'S military won the war is a direct DNC talking point. I heard Barney Frank use it a few days ago.

They have taken a shorthand view of both what the Republicans said and what the democrats did and have fused it into this argument.

The shortage in military funding was mostly in pay and housing, with delays in starting new research. Current equipment was not so much the issue. It was personnel, both numbers and morale, that were the big concern.

At any rate, hearing this argument twice leads me to believe that the Clintons still have control and are trying to repair their reputations. Fair warning, folks!

[TomGuy]

Part of the delay in Afghanistan after 9-11 was so the weaponry (bombs) could be replenished from the Clinton era--where they were used but not replenished.

[Fledermaus]

The fact military spending on certain things are pet projects for Congressmen, including Dems, some survived. Rummy is changing a lot of that.

And as I've said, I'd like to see some reports on how much of this was accomplished since Bush took office and he and Rummy started changing priorities.

This success belongs to them. The equipment might still be from Clinton's years, but the strategy isn't. I don't think the Spec Ops (Delta Force, Green Berets, Navy Seals, CIA) would have this much leeway and ability to act. Ninety percent of the strikes on Baghdad, under Clintoon, would have been polled, talked about for hours, and made through political decisions only.

This is a known fact. The authour of a new book by Patterson, who carried the nuke football from 1996-1998, says nothing was done in the Clinton years that wasn't talked to death. He says they missed a two-hour window of opportunity to take out Osama due to polling and needless political discussion.

And the fact they couldn't find ol Billy once when he needed to turn a key!

[Lauratealeaf]

You've got something there Miss Marple. I could not believe what I was hearing when Morton Kondracke gave Clinton credit for the victory in Iraq because he kept up the weapons production. What a joke!

My husband (unfortunately) was working in the Pentagon for two years midway through Clinton's Presidency and they were constantly having to fight Clinton's political appointees for everything!

If it had not been for Newt Gingrich and the "Republican Revolution" we would not have had the weapons that have helped us to win this war so far.

I also recall that during the Kosovo police action Wesley Clark nearly used up our tomahawk and cruise missile strategic reserve.

The Clinton administration also civilianized many important logistics operations which put our troops in that convoy that was attacked in harms' way. They did not train for or have the proper protection.

I could go on and on. Clinton downsized the military, not the federal government and it was the support structure that was downsized.

My husband was there and he fought against it. So, we all know that Morton Kondracke is on the receiving end of the Democrat talking points.

From now on I will take that in consideration everytime I hear him open his prissy mouth.