Wes Clark on the surge: It was a Saudi payoff that worked
posted at 6:50 pm on July 23, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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John McCormack catches Wes Clark in a couple of egregious errors on the surge today on Morning Joe. The lesser mistake is Clark’s insistence that the surge didn’t involve Anbar at all, when as McCormack notes the Marines sent two extra battalions to the hotbed of terrorist activity as part of the increased deployment. Worse, though, Clark tries to tell Scarborough that the surge had nothing to do with the Marines, and everything to do with the Saudis paying off the Sunni tribes:
This isn’t exactly a lost history. Actually, 4,000 extra Marines went to Anbar. The extra Marine battalions got a lot of attention in the beginning of the surge, especially since they had the toughest job in clearing Anbar, while the Army focused more on Baghdad. In fact, some debated whether the two extra Marine battalions would be enough for the mission — which the Corps answered almost immediately by beginning their string of successes in the region.
Certainly one would expect a military “analyst” for a major media outlet to know at least that much about the surge that he’s dismissing. However, it’s clear that Clark isn’t providing analysis but political cover for Barack Obama by trying to argue that the surge didn’t have any effect on Iraqi security. With the media pressing Obama to explain why he still opposes a strategy that worked, Clark wants to give him an out by claiming that the Iraqis beat al-Qaeda all by themselves after the Saudis bribed them to do so.
That allegation disrespects both the Iraqis in Anbar who risked and gave their lives to beat al-Qaeda as well as the Marines who gave them the opening to do so. It’s shameful for anyone to dismiss that heroic effort by the Corps in Anbar and the Army in Baghdad, but especially so for a former military commander.
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What a tool. Keep on talkin’ Wes. Helps our cause. Er…Mac’s cause. Okay, both.
bikermailman on July 23, 2008 at 6:54 PM
The more Wesley Clark opens his mouth the sicker I get
SoCalInfidel on July 23, 2008 at 6:56 PM
He’s a disgrace.
MikeZero on July 23, 2008 at 6:56 PM
The Same General Wesley Clark who was removed from his Command?
http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/2008/06/wes-clark-on-mccains-military-experience/
Dr Evil on July 23, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Fixed it.
sondiehl on July 23, 2008 at 6:57 PM
blowback.. LMAO..
Chakra Hammer on July 23, 2008 at 6:57 PM
Some days I wish David Hackworth were still alive to rip this chump to shreds.
With that grin he would have…
benrand on July 23, 2008 at 6:58 PM
It must be so easy to be a Democrat… you can just make shit up at random.
Diogenes of Sinope on July 23, 2008 at 6:58 PM
The late Col. David Hackworth dismissed Wesley Clark as one of the “perfumed princes” he despised so much.
Way back in 1999, during the Kosovo thing, Hackworth was merciless on Clark.
flipflop on July 23, 2008 at 6:59 PM
This man is an empty suit with no character. Why do the Dems allow such an airhead to represent them. He needs to permanently retire.
d1carter on July 23, 2008 at 6:59 PM
And the Russians paid off Milosovitch, right, Wes?
Steve McCullough on July 23, 2008 at 6:59 PM
The Same Retired General Wesley Clark who supported Ned Lamont and put out this add? T
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uPpQXBmPQ4
It is obvious that Clark is hoping there is a payoff for carrying the Progressive’s water, that he is their kind of military man doesn’t suprize me.
Dr Evil on July 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Now we know a reason why he’s the FORMER Commander. Didn’t he get fired? Does that make him a disgruntled employee?
Thank you Wesley for being there for Obama. By looking so clueless, you take the focus off how clueless Obama is. Also Wesley, your suit is looking a bit….. empty.
originalpechanga on July 23, 2008 at 7:00 PM
This guy is totally clueless. I can see why he was fired.
SoulGlo on July 23, 2008 at 7:01 PM
Hey! The Saudis only had the money to bribe the Iraqis with because Bush and his oil buddies raised the price of gas in the US to help enrich their oil friends.
So, even if it was a Saudi payoff that got it to work, it’s still a Republican victory.
/kidding
JadeNYU on July 23, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Disqrace to me, his country, and brothers/sisters in arms.
infidel on July 23, 2008 at 7:02 PM
and it all smells like roses to them.
abinitioadinfinitum on July 23, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Captain Peacock.
Limerick on July 23, 2008 at 7:06 PM
it is just such utter naivete to go on national tv and make these claims….makes me completely sick to my stomach
SoCalInfidel on July 23, 2008 at 7:07 PM
Wesley Clark is basically saying the American troops
basically stood around and watched peace bloom into
fruitation by the Iranians and Saudi’s!
Absolutely Brilliant!!!
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 7:07 PM
is an election worth your pride?
trailortrash on July 23, 2008 at 7:07 PM
I sure do miss Hack.
Glynn on July 23, 2008 at 7:08 PM
IMHO this is all being done to dismiss the success of the surge. Defeatocrats can’t allow it to be a success because they were against it and McCain supported it. Any progress made on any front be it the war in Iraq, drilling for oil (the price is down $20.00 a barrel just after Bush lifted the federal ban), will not be recognized or allowed by them. The country has to be made out to be in shambles so they can grab power. It’s discusting to put party ahead of country and that’s exactly what has been going on for to long.
Les in NC on July 23, 2008 at 7:11 PM
Primadona of a forgotten male general seeking significance and relevance. History will never care about him.
Entelechy on July 23, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Absolutely correct.
wise_man on July 23, 2008 at 7:17 PM
[Diogenes of Sinope on July 23, 2008 at 6:58 PM]
Yup.
Dusty on July 23, 2008 at 7:18 PM
Lying is a twisted path, when your drive-by parrot cannot make it so.
tarpon on July 23, 2008 at 7:23 PM
He’s right, but presented with such a bias that it’s hard to separate the political message from the practical one.
There will always be more influences than one in any story about Iraq. Yes, perhaps Saudi schooling about the tribes and Saudi money softened the ground. It was the US military, though, that applied the expert pressure to bring about the result. If the surge had not happened, the outcome would NOT have been the same, any more than I can dig a hole in my yard with a pitcher of water.
Prufrock on July 23, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Wes Clark is an imbecile. He was relieved of command after he had bombed the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade. He has Zero credibility. He would be best advised to shut his pie hole!
old trooper on July 23, 2008 at 7:28 PM
Life would be easier…at least politics would be.
Good post.
right2bright on July 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Fine, even if he’s right and the Saudi payoff was the ONLY factor that “worked,” the Saudis would never have paid anyone anything if they thought the Americans were going to bug out.
Riposte on July 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM
Yes, to a democrat power is pride…
right2bright on July 23, 2008 at 7:31 PM
Yes squared.
Of course, for two years now they’ve been dismissing the reports of the quelling of the violence.
And mirabile dictu, all of that talk and concern about the timetables on political reconciliation are no longer mentioned.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 7:31 PM
I read once that there are only three type of people in the military that don’t like Weasly Clark:
1. Those senior to him.
2. Those junior to him.
3. His peers.
O-Dub on July 23, 2008 at 7:32 PM
Hard to believe this douchebag is still invited on television.
JammieWearingFool on July 23, 2008 at 7:33 PM
History will never care about him.
That’s why he keeps opening his mouth and saying crap that is so utterly dismissive of our military. I feel somewhat chagrined in harboring such anger against a general. But the man is becoming a bit of a problem and I wish he wasn’t making those kinds of comments in uniform.
The Race Card on July 23, 2008 at 7:33 PM
MSNBC is douchebag farm league.
The Race Card on July 23, 2008 at 7:34 PM
This came as a shock to me just now. (I’ve been going through a viscous child custody battle with my X for my 2 small sons since 2004 and many things in the news have dropped though the cracks for me in the last few years during this fight).
I’ve often wondered why I haven’t seen the “Hack” on the news giving his much sought after option. Damn another good man down.
RIP Hack.
1GooDDaDDy on July 23, 2008 at 7:40 PM
All these ongoing threads and debates about the “Surge”, hallowed be it’s name, important points about it, minutia about it, was it here, was it there, what is counted in, what is not counted in, what did it do and what did other things do, what percent for each, was it successful enough so that we can leave or was it somehow too successful for us to leave, is taking on the look-and-feel of religion.
Gotchas on McCain, gotchas on Clark, counter-gotchas on McCain, counter-gotchas on Clark.
You don’t respect the troops! No you don’t respect the troops! I care about the troops more than you do! No, I care about the troops more than you do! You apologize to the troops! No, you apologize to the troops!
Almost like a bunch of Shiites and Sunnis arguing about whether Mohammed’s rightful successor was Umar or Ali.
Meanwhile most Americans, the ones who are going to decide the election, care much more about the economy and to the extent that they care about Iraq it’s how much longer will we be there and what now?
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 7:41 PM
And one more thing. You know that things have gone south when I am forced to take on the role of the adult.
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 7:45 PM
Do some people actually think that the events in Iraq and the region have no effect on oil/gas prices we pay here?
And, of course, oil runs our economy. It’s the life blood.
I feel silly having to dumbdown my posts this much.
But dummies have internet access too. That damned Gore.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 7:46 PM
I can’t believe this lefty loon actually wore stars.
Tantor on July 23, 2008 at 7:47 PM
On the cringe level he’s ranks right up there with Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi and Henry Waxman.
Cringe level — 100%
Travis1 on July 23, 2008 at 7:48 PM
Clark’s is assigned to be the John Murtha of the Obama camp. His job is to tell the most outrageous of lies until the media has a change to pick up on them and give them some reinforcement. Clark is a buffoon and a hired gun and not a very good one.
Maxx on July 23, 2008 at 7:50 PM
Why doesn’t somebody just smack him in the mouth?
grumpy_old_soldier on July 23, 2008 at 7:50 PM
It would seem that Clark’s pride was either already sold, or was on sale.
Jaibones on July 23, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Speaking of Weasly’s egregious errors has anyone asked him lately about his Waco massacre?
One great big Reno & Clark slaughterhouse over a guy they could just as easily have nabbed at the convenience store.
viking01 on July 23, 2008 at 8:00 PM
Allow me to quote Spitty, and apply it to Wesley Clark:
………
You get the idea.
Hawkins1701 on July 23, 2008 at 8:00 PM
For those who are still under the misguided impression that anyone who ever wore the uniform has Absolute Moral Authority combined with Unimpeachable Knowledge on Warfare, I offer you:
Ashley Clark
John Mirtha
Chuck Hazel
and that douchebag from the dKos Moonbat Festival
Jaibones on July 23, 2008 at 8:02 PM
Clark is just trying to divert the spotlight off himself now that his Serbian buddies are back in the news…
rbb on July 23, 2008 at 8:02 PM
One more Democrat, one more lame-brained idea about where to give credit for the surge. I really think that it’s physically painful for them to give credit where most of it belongs - to General Patraeus, President Bush, and most importantly to our troops. It’s like the Fonz of Happy Days trying to say “I’m sorry”. He just couldn’t get out the s-word.
How long before Democrats start to credit Buggs Bunny, Fred Flintstone and Popeye?
Bigfoot on July 23, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Benedict Arnold was a war hero too.
jukin on July 23, 2008 at 8:03 PM
Oops, make that “General Petraeus”.
Bigfoot on July 23, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Meanwhile most Americans, the ones who are going to decide the election, care much more about the economy and to the extent that they care about Iraq it’s how much longer will we be there and what now?
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 7:41 PM
So WTF is your Dear Leader doing campaigning in Europe this week?
rockmom on July 23, 2008 at 8:04 PM
Ashley Wilkes aka Wes Clark, was so bad as NATO commander that even a featherweight like Komrade Klinton was forced to ask him to step down. He is a disgrace.
Zorro on July 23, 2008 at 8:06 PM
We’ve had some salty exhchanges recently. And I’m sure there will be more. But, when I hear men in struggles like yours, I always get the nagging feeling that the guy is getting screwed.
I know there’s evidence to support what my suspicions. But I honestly can’t stomach much of what I hear from dads fighting for their families. So I just don’t do the research.
I hope you get a fair shake.
(I’ll consider us in between rounds right now. Stay strong…until the next round.)
The Race Card on July 23, 2008 at 8:06 PM
Add Lee Harvey Oswald to jailbones list of 8:02 PM.
viking01 on July 23, 2008 at 8:08 PM
He’s a lying, disgraceful POS who repeatedly violated the Chain of Command while in Kosovo, so much so that SecDef Cohen finally relieved him of Command, by making him retire early.
Clark likes to say, it was only “one day”, and it was his choice; frankly, as a 4-Star, if you are ordered to “retire”, even 5 min “early”, the message is sent, your Career has been CANCELLED!
That’s Clark.
And like a whole host of “Democrats”, who served in the Military, he thinks that his previous Military experience gives him cover, and excuses his later Traitorous Behaviour, including: John Kerry, Murtha, Harkin, etc.
As someone who served myself, we neigher forgive, nor forget, and I can tell you that the Troops over in Iraq & Afghanistan listen to this stuff, and they make a mental note: this “bastard” just stabbed us in the back, and is a Disgrace to the Uniform!
Dale in Atlanta on July 23, 2008 at 8:09 PM
And do you have any idea where the price of a barrel of oil is now as compared to 2003? It would not seem so. Besides Iraq was not supose to be about oil anyway.
I dunno. This post of yours doesn’t seem any dumber than all your other ones.
As usual everything I said seems to have gone right over your head.
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 8:13 PM
‘Perfumed prince’ is perfect for this bozo, Weasely Clark.
petefrt on July 23, 2008 at 8:15 PM
Of course, one of the reasons oil have spiked up is the increase demand from China and India along with other problems in supplies.
Allowing Iraq to blowup in sectarian strife - strife that would have enguled the Gulf region - would have, of course, driven the price of oil up even further.
Creating stability in Iraq will both allow that country to pump more oil as well as increase confidence in the oil markets that the supply from the Gulf will continue.
And I cannot, simply cannot, dumb down this any further.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 8:17 PM
What a pathetic, self-serving tool he`s become.
ThePrez on July 23, 2008 at 8:19 PM
You are very confused.
He is not my Dear Leader.
It is a capital mistake to make such pronouncemnets before you have examined all the evidence as to do so discombobulates ones judgment.
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 8:24 PM
You can’t imagine how moved and thankful I am to have you post that to me. Thanks for that mate.
(Am FYI moment: I’ve WON the battle, and now have full custody of my boys. $70,000+ later that is. Money means almost nothing to me, my little guys do, however.)
The main reasons I won is because it was proved in court that I don’t lie, cheat or steal.
It took over 4 yrs. for the family courts to realize that.
Thanks again. It means a lot to me.
Claaannnggg! Round 2.
1GooDDaDDy on July 23, 2008 at 8:26 PM
I think that you reached that milepost long ago. But look at the bright side - the only way you can go is up.
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 8:27 PM
I don’t.
He’s one of Bob Dole’s ‘Miserable Creatures’–a traitor in word, if not in deed.
baldilocks on July 23, 2008 at 8:27 PM
That’s what thy used to call Colin Powell at the Pentagon.
MB4 on July 23, 2008 at 8:30 PM
This bozo could become SecDef if Obama wins. He probably already paid the bribe.
That should be enough to drive everyone on HotAir to drive all their aunts, uncles, and cousins to vote for McCain.
Steve Z on July 23, 2008 at 8:37 PM
Wait!!! Let’s just cut through the chaff…What is Ron Paul saying about this right now??? Something like:
Would you like fries with that???
BigWyo on July 23, 2008 at 8:44 PM
WES CLARK: A TRAITOR TO THE UNIFORMED SERVICES.
SCUM.
SHOULD BE TRIED FOR TREASON, CONVICTED AND SHOT.
YES, TREASON: HIS COMMENTS - DENIGRATING THE US TROOPS AND CREDITING TRIBES - GIVES AID AND SUCCOR TO THE ENEMY.
reliapundit on July 23, 2008 at 8:46 PM
Geez, I’m not sure you really mean this?
Anyway, treason entails more than just giving aid and comfort to the enemy. A person must also “adhere” to the enemy. That is, he must be a supporter of it.
It’s defined here:
Art. III, Section 3
Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 8:50 PM
It’s a good thing we have McCain out there telling us what really happened, which is that the surge “began the Anbar awakening. I mean, that’s just a matter of history.” He says this even though though the Anbar Awakening started long before the surge. Nobody knows that McCain screwed this up, however, because the liberal media edited his ignorant comment out of the interview.
dave742 on July 23, 2008 at 8:51 PM
That’s the way to be. Well done.
Zorro on July 23, 2008 at 8:54 PM
Embellished a tad for truth.
carbon_footprint on July 23, 2008 at 8:54 PM
You Go Girl!!!
BigWyo on July 23, 2008 at 8:57 PM
It was 2 USMC Battalions and a MEU.
A MEU is a Battalion reinforced with air, armor, etc…
DJ Elliott on July 23, 2008 at 9:03 PM
Just my opinion but Wes may be suffering from a marble deficiency.
diogenes on July 23, 2008 at 9:03 PM
There simply was no Anbar Awakening before the surge.
There indeed were some Iraqi Sunnis turning against Al-Qaeda and who were fighting against them because AQ was so brutal. But these Iraqi Sunnis were doing so on their own and - key point - at the same time were still fighting US troops. Some Sunnis, scattered, fighting AQ does not constitute an entire movement.
Evidence shows that they never would have succeeded without the support from the surge and the US.
And they never would have stopped fighting the US troops unless the surge and the COIN policy of Petreus’s was put into affect.
It was only the presence of the US troops that enable the Sunnis to defeat AQ, to turn their guns away from the US and against AQ, and to integrate into (broadly speaking) the Iraqi government and civil society.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 9:04 PM
Would make an excellent bumpersticker.
whitetop on July 23, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Clark is nothing but a pimp lookin’ for some liberal leaders coatails to grab onto. The only reason the nutworks still put him on tv is they know he’s worth sayin’ something stupid and divisive.
Rovin on July 23, 2008 at 9:46 PM
My son spent two separate deployments with the Corp in Anbar over the last three years. Was submerged in the nastiness. He would tell you that comrade Clark is full of crap. Even before the surge the attitudes of the locals had been evolving (the great awakening). The first deployment 2005-2006 he didn’t give it much of a chance. During the second deployment the middle of 2007 he said things had improved dramatically. The locals just needed some extra help, thats all. The Americans were the only ones that could make the difference. We should be proud of that.
JonRoss on July 23, 2008 at 10:04 PM
Oh course, Wesley Spark-less provided evidence to support his comments. He didn’t…??? Because the pendejo’s brain couldn’t support his mouth!
byteshredder on July 23, 2008 at 10:12 PM
Thanks for your great son. Good work.
Re the Awakening. Wasn’t the key to the change there the willingness of the Iraqis in Anbar to join with us in fighting AQ? They couldn’t do much by themselves. And if we weren’t there to help, they would have failed.
It seems to me that it wouldn’t have done any good for them (or us) to fight it out with AQ if they were also going to fight our troops. What needed to happen was that they were willing to lay down their arms against us and assist us in fighting the terrorists.
Anyway, be proud. We sure are.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 10:13 PM
My son…
JonRoss on July 23,2008 at 10:04PM.
JonRos: I thank-you for your son’s service in the WOT,
and for shining the light of truth on this
situation in Anbar. :)
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Agreed. It may not solve the problem but it would make some of us feel better.
JonRoss on July 23, 2008 at 10:17 PM
Oops,sorry,forgot one S!
canopfor on July 23, 2008 at 10:18 PM
True. They had to trust us. They knew what would happen to them if we would have cut and ran and left them to the radicals. Once they felt trust they began to stand up.
I always feared for my son, but I knew that on any given Saturday night back here at home he had a better chance of being hit and killed by a drunk driver than being gunned down by an insurgent. I sleep better at night knowing we Americans did the correct thing, and nothing comrade Clark can say can change that.
JonRoss on July 23, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Thanks canopfor
JonRoss on July 23, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I am so glad I never had to work under that man as my regional CinC. He’s disingenuous, a liar and has no place in any leadership role (hence his abysmal failure in his bid for the presidency). As an Army man, myself, I am thoroughly ashamed of Clark.
Virus-X on July 23, 2008 at 10:29 PM
These pictures sum up a lot of it: Anbar children.
Scroll down for more.
Thanks again.
SteveMG on July 23, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Agreed…he’s just another unwanted crease…
jerrytbg on July 23, 2008 at 10:42 PM
a-hole
D2Boston on July 23, 2008 at 10:52 PM
OK clark, I demand a explantion of the “murtha act”!
allrsn on July 23, 2008 at 11:15 PM
Old Dem talking point: The Iraqis aren’t carrying their weight, aren’t doing enough to help themselves, are requiring OUR soldiers to carry the load and take the bullets, blah, blah, blah.
New Dem talking point: Iraqis beat al Queda without our help, the surge was a waste of time….and too late.
jeanneb on July 23, 2008 at 11:30 PM
allrsn on July 23, 2008 at 11:34 PM
who where did the strike come from, I also lost a complete post???
allrsn on July 23, 2008 at 11:35 PM
Ahh I must have hit strike instead of enquote, sorry all.
allrsn on July 23, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Some variation of this as a talking point is not out of the question. In fact, on second thought, expect it.
jerrytbg on July 23, 2008 at 11:36 PM
Clark is to the Army what Murtha is to the Marine Corps.
They are both mentally ill and trying regain a lost era.
Both of them can suck my unit.
winemkr on July 24, 2008 at 12:07 AM
wrong it was murtha that called in the enemey THAT was murtha by soros thru reid!!!! both are bad but M U R T H A is the S O B that killed our troops and thousands of Iraqies. THAT WAS MURTHA do not compare the two
allrsn on July 24, 2008 at 1:17 AM
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