Biden: Time for An Iraq Timetable
Slow Joe Biden has written an op-ed in Saturday morning’s Washington Post advocating establishing a timetable for troop withdrawals and other ideas unworthy of serious consideration. Here’s a sampling of his ‘proposals’:
First, we need to build political consensus, starting with the constitution. Sunnis must accept that they no longer rule Iraq. But unless Shiites and Kurds give them a stake in the new deal, they will continue to resist. We must help produce a constitution that will unite Iraq, not divide it.
Perhaps Sen. Biden hasn’t noticed but the Iraqi Constitution that Iraqis ratified Oct. 15th guarantees equal rights for all Iraqis, including freedom of religion and full voting rights for women. Perhaps Sen. Biden hasn’t noticed that that sounds alot like our Constitution.
As for “Shiites and Kurds” giving “them a stake in the new deal”, Sunnis are submitting lists of candidates for the Dec. 15th elections so that they can wins as many elections as possible. That’s the nature of politics and the Iraqis are figuring it out nicely as this process has moved forward.
The third goal is to transfer authority to Iraqi security forces. In September, Gen. George W. Casey Jr. acknowledged that only one Iraqi battalion, fewer than 1,000 troops, can fight without U.S. help. An additional 40 can lead counterinsurgency operations with our support.
Again, Sen. Biden might not have heard of the almost-weekly turning over of another city’s security to the Iraqis. If he hasn’t, he should demand more authoritative research and more informative briefings from his staff. This would shore up his lack of accurate information on which to make decisions.
We also need an effective counterinsurgency strategy. The administration finally understands the need not only to clear territory but also to hold and build on it. We have never had enough U.S. troops to do that. Now there is no choice but to gamble on the Iraqis. We can help by changing the mix of our forces to include more embedded trainers, civil affairs units and Special Forces.
Again, Sen. Biden is ignoring the impressive and ongoing results of Operation Steel Curtain. He should’ve been able to read about it in the Washington Post. They even through in a couple great quotes from Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch. My mistake. That didn’t make it into the Washington Post. I found that information on reporting powerhouse NewsMax’s site. Maybe Slow Joe should talk more often with the military to get accurate weekly updates.
If the administration shows it has a blueprint for protecting our fundamental security interests in Iraq, Americans will support it.
Sen. Biden, Starting next Wednesday, President Bush will be outlining the progress that the Agenda Media hasn’t reported on along with laying out the logic behind the course we’re already being successful with. No changes in direction. No caving into the Democrats’ unserious proposals. Just doing things right with full consultation between the President and his generals. When he’s done laying out our strategy, mission and progress, the American people will support his policies. Take that to the bank, Senator.
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Iraq: Timetables for Withdrawal
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Democrats Split Over U.S. Troop Withdrawal
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRing