I blame Bush.

Mike D. on October 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM

I question the timing….

Bush and McCain both deserve credit for this. But most of the credit goes to our fighting men and women and the people of Iraq who decided enough was enough.
Terrye on October 10, 2008 at 7:02 PM

I’m wondering, why McCain? I seem to recall various occasions where McCain was questioning the competence of officers, such as GEN Abizaid, back in 2006. The Bush/McCain doctrine, summed up, is this: (1) War is about bigger guns and more of them.(2) If plan “A” doesn’t work, input more money. (3) If that doesn’t work, input more troops.
Counterinsurgencies are not won this way. More American troops is not the answer, never was. Two crucial mistakes were made in the beginning: (1) we accepted capitulation rather than surrender of the Iraqi army. (2) we instituted a de-Baathification policy, which effectively shut down essential services (i.e. all public works, police, fire, hospitals, etc.) throughout much of Iraq.
The surge, advocated by John McCain, in my opinion, is a short-term solution to a long-term problem. Imagine if you’re an insurgent. You see a lot more guys wearing US patches on their arms. Your wish to take over Iraq and do damage to the West is great. You have all the time in the world, whereas the Americans do not. You see that your ability to move and communicate dwindles due to the increased American presence. In response, you go to ground. Then, after the end of the surge of American troops, or after the Americans leave entirely, once the last American Soldier is out of Iraq and the President (whomever it may be) declares victory, you and every other insurgent will strike. Imagine the effect this would have on the United States, from a diplomatic standpoint, from an information operations standpoint, from a military standpoint.
Thankfully though, GEN Petraeus was able to convince the President and Secretary of Defense that the plan advocated by GEN Abizaid was a good idea: that plan was not the surge, but rather that we needed to (1) pair up Iraqi units with American troops for training, mentorship, and logistical needs until the Iraqis are capable of autonomous operations; (2) get the American troops we do have in theater out with the populace to win the fear, trust, and respect of the human terrain (e.g. fear from the enemy, trust from the locals, and respect from both). We are winning the war, but not because of McCain.
We give too much credit to McCain’s military wisdom. Not all who have military experience are great military tacticians and strategists.

You were always winners, from the very first day you set foot on foreign soil. To many of us, there was never a doubt. To the cowardice left, there was nothing but doubt.

The light of your success is shining bright on the world stage.

Thank you.

This is victory, and American heroes died for this freedom!!!

Obama and Biden wanted to run to Kathy’s restaurant and hide under a table.

McCain was right, Bush was also right. The Dems thankfully were powerless. Let’s keep it that way.

……………. and to Harry Reid, Barrack Obama, and the rest of the Democrats and MSM that have done everthing in their power to cause the defeat of our forces in Iraq over the past five years, shove this story up your as#!

Might want to remember that come election day…….

I hope this all works out.

Ain’t victory a wonderful thing!
tee866 on October 10, 2008 at 6:33 PM

We’ve got a long way to go, but yes, this is certainly good news.

God bless our military. Job well done.

I blame Bush.

Mike D. on October 10, 2008 at 6:43 PM

OOOOOOOWWW… LMAO… that was hilarious but I’m going to be smelling blue raspberry for the rest of the day!

*eats*