So don't blame me if Rummy was stupid.
Posted on 02/19/2007 1:01:10 PM PST by LM_Guy
BLUFFTON, S.C. (AP) -- Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Monday the war in Iraq has been mismanaged for years and former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will be remembered as one of the worst in history. "We are paying a very heavy price for the mismanagement _ that's the kindest word I can give you _ of Donald Rumsfeld, of this war," the Arizona senator told an overflow crowd of more than 800 at a retirement community near Hilton Head Island, S.C. "The price is very, very heavy and I regret it enormously."
McCain, the ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, complained that Rumsfeld never put enough troops on the ground to succeed in Iraq.
"I think that Donald Rumsfeld will go down in history as one of the worst secretaries of defense in history," McCain said to applause.
The comments were in sharp contrast to McCain's statement when Rumsfeld resigned in November, and failed to address the reality that President Bush is the commander in chief.
"While Secretary Rumsfeld and I have had our differences, he deserves Americans' respect and gratitude for his many years of public service," McCain said last year when Rumfeld stepped down.
On a two-day campaign swing in South Carolina, McCain fielded questions from the crowd for more than an hour and said the United States can succeed in Iraq with additional troops and a new strategy. McCain has been a strong proponent of using more troops and favors Bush's increase of some 21,500 U.S. forces in the nearly four-year-old war.
I have been saying for 3 1/2 years that we would be in this sad situation and this critical situation we are in today," he said.
McCain's bid for president was sidetracked in South Carolina in 2000 after..
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
Who is McCain to criticize Rumsfeld? He was a lousy naval officer and wouldn't have gotten thru the academy if his dad and granddad weren't famous admirals. I have a better chance to be the GOP nominee than McCain does!
Hmmm. Lincoln mismanaged the Civil War, yet he is regarded by many to be the greatest president ever.
I wonder if history will be as kind to Bush?
I think Lincoln made a few mistakes too.
I also think some folks got a sad education on how incredbliy evil islamo facism is and it depths.
AT least I hope they have that education now.
The democrats sure as hell did not learn anything at all. IF they arent even cheering for islamo facism now, it is hard to tell.
I agree completely with your assessment of McCain's military career - most of which was spent, unfortunately, in a prison. I also agree with your judgment that you will be the candidate before he is. Keep on posting.
Screw McCain.
what exactly did Rumsfeld 'bungle'?
I'm not taking issue with your comment but I wonder how McCain, or anyone else, can blame the SECDEF and not the CinC?
Standing up an allied gov't in the heart of the ME is not for the fair weather patriots. As Rumsfeld noted, it's a long, hard slog.
"what exactly did Rumsfeld 'bungle'?"
In his own words, "Go minimalist!"
But he kept the Star Wars Part Deux money safe.
/sarc
More troops may have been the answer. However, when these more troops killed more civilians, and we had more dead (some 10-20K instead of 3-4K), which MSM skirt would McNut be hiding behind?
So don't blame me if Rummy was stupid.
Never let it be said that McCain wont smile at your face and shove a knife in your back.
When the mob shouts there is McCain shouting loudest.
This is the lout that wants us to trust him with the government of the United States. Run with the mob, take our Free Speech. Not me Hoss,
Does valid criticism count?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.