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McCain: Iraq War Mismanaged for Years
Breitbart.com ^ | 2/19/2006 | AP Writer

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 ...


TOPICS: Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: electionpresident; iraq; mccain; rumsfeld; wot
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This will earn me some flack from so, but I agree with McCain's assessment of DR. I think the bungling of the Iraq war by Rumsfeld is the #1 reason the GOP lost both control of Congress in 2006.
1 posted on 02/19/2007 1:01:13 PM PST by LM_Guy
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To: LM_Guy

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!


2 posted on 02/19/2007 1:02:30 PM PST by Astronaut
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To: LM_Guy
You blame Rumsfeld for the election losses?
3 posted on 02/19/2007 1:03:16 PM PST by kinoxi
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To: LM_Guy

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?


4 posted on 02/19/2007 1:04:44 PM PST by proudpapa (Forget Rudy McRomney it's Duncan Hunter in '08!)
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To: LM_Guy

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.


5 posted on 02/19/2007 1:05:14 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: LM_Guy
I don't want my nominee criticizing our current President. Romney first, now McCain.
6 posted on 02/19/2007 1:05:26 PM PST by somemoreequalthanothers (All for the betterment of "the state", comrade)
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To: Astronaut

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.


7 posted on 02/19/2007 1:06:10 PM PST by twonie (RUDY FOR PRESIDENT '08. THERE - A COMMITMENT OUT LOUD.)
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To: LM_Guy

Screw McCain.


8 posted on 02/19/2007 1:06:10 PM PST by ilgipper
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To: LM_Guy

what exactly did Rumsfeld 'bungle'?


9 posted on 02/19/2007 1:07:34 PM PST by ilgipper
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To: LM_Guy

I'm not taking issue with your comment but I wonder how McCain, or anyone else, can blame the SECDEF and not the CinC?


10 posted on 02/19/2007 1:09:09 PM PST by leadpenny
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To: LM_Guy

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.


11 posted on 02/19/2007 1:12:22 PM PST by pissant
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To: ilgipper

"what exactly did Rumsfeld 'bungle'?"

In his own words, "Go minimalist!"

But he kept the Star Wars Part Deux money safe.

/sarc


12 posted on 02/19/2007 1:13:44 PM PST by Shermy
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To: LM_Guy
mcinsane sounds just like hitlery.
It is difficult to tell the difference between mcinsane and hitlery. These two must be comparing notes.
13 posted on 02/19/2007 1:14:38 PM PST by From One - Many (Trust the Old Media At Your Own Risk)
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To: LM_Guy

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?


14 posted on 02/19/2007 1:14:48 PM PST by JacksonCalhoun (CT native in exile in NC - we have moonbats here in Dixie, too)
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To: somemoreequalthanothers
How embarrassing for McCain, his sniveling is unseemly, thank god the President and Rumsfeld don't run around whining about hindsight decisions, with boots on the ground.

The enemy here and abroad get great soundbites from these Oprahlike drama queens.
15 posted on 02/19/2007 1:14:54 PM PST by roses of sharon
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To: Astronaut
Who is McCain to criticize Rumsfeld? He was a lousy naval officer...

Ah, the old argument from distraction. Good work!
16 posted on 02/19/2007 1:15:00 PM PST by aNYCguy
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To: LM_Guy
So don't blame me if Rummy was stupid.
17 posted on 02/19/2007 1:16:07 PM PST by ex-snook ("But above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: LM_Guy

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,


18 posted on 02/19/2007 1:18:39 PM PST by sgtbono2002 (I will forgive Jane Fonda, when the Jews forgive Hitler.)
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To: somemoreequalthanothers

Does valid criticism count?


19 posted on 02/19/2007 1:20:27 PM PST by abercrombie_guy_38
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To: JacksonCalhoun
LOL, contrarians have it easy!
20 posted on 02/19/2007 1:20:53 PM PST by roses of sharon
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