« China Plays Great Chess Against Russia | Main | Great Teams = Great Organizations »
November 30, 2005
Bush Hits a Fearsome Foursome at the Goal Line
Responding to criticism of his was policies and especially the response to Representative Murtha, the President defended his Iraq policies. Critics and advocates for withdrawal of American forces did not find anything new or pleasing in Bush's message. They see the same ol' same ol'. G.W.'s supporters probably found some comfort in his resolve and delineation of accomplishments in the 35-page White House document titled "National Strategy for Victory in Iraq."
"Some critics continue to assert that we have no plan in Iraq except to 'stay the course,'" Bush said. "If by 'stay the course' they mean we will not allow the terrorists to break our will, they're right. If by 'stay the course' they mean we will not permit al Qaida to turn Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban, a safe haven for terrorists and a launching pad for attacks on America, they're right as well. If by 'stay the course' they mean that we're not learning from our experience or adjusting our tactics to meet the challenges on the ground, then they're flat wrong.".....
Bush said that Iraqis are stepping forward to provide security for their embattled country, torn by suicide bombings, kidnappings and other violence. "Iraqi forces have made real progress," the president said. "We will stay as long as necessary to complete the mission. If our military leaders there tell us we need more troops, I will send them."
He said that more than 120 army and police combat battalions are already in the fight against insurgents, and that 80 of those battalions are fighting side by side with coalition forces and 40 are taking the lead in the fight.
A few things strike me here. One is that many military commanders have indicated off the record that they have far too few troops to adequately do the job. I have also read that the President refuses to listen, nor wants to hear, dissenting opinions, like the need for more troops, so he never gets that information. One senses a contradiction there. Second, many analysts, some on the record and some off, indicate that there are no where near the numbers of trained troops and security forces ready for action that the administration continually claims. Third, opponents of the war are quick to demand a withdrawal, but none of them answer the question of what we do when large sections of the country become permanent Al Qaeda type training centers. If we leave, who is going to prevent Osama or Zarkawi from establishing bigger and better training centers than ever existed in Afghanistan? By offering nothing to answer critics Bush certainly did not score any points with the center. It seems that his big speech did nothing except leave him stalled at the line of scrimmage.
Posted by Chip Spear at November 30, 2005 11:37 AM