LAT: Troop surge can't be brief, backers insist: 18-month minimum

[DeepModem Mom]

Troop surge can't be brief, backers insist
They want 18 months at minimum. Democrats, and some Republicans, resist a hard line.
By Peter Spiegel and Maura Reynolds, Times Staff Writers
January 6, 2007

WASHINGTON — The leading advocates of an increase in U.S. forces in Iraq warned President Bush on Friday that any buildup lasting less than 18 months was doomed to fail, and urged the White House to avoid compromises that would scale back the plan.

The hard line taken by such backers as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and retired Army Gen. Jack Keane comes as the Bush administration continues to debate the size and the scope of an expected troop increase. White House spokesman Tony Snow said Bush had "not entirely" made up his mind, even as Bush reorganized top war advisors and began meeting with key members of Congress in advance of a major address next week.

Bush faces growing unease about an extended buildup among some congressional Republicans, who are concerned that it could stretch into the 2008 election season and doom their reelection chances. About five to 10 such Republicans are in the Senate, according to GOP aides, and are expected to push for time limits or firm conditions in return for backing the increase.

"For any kind of a surge, they would have to show that the surge itself was limited," said one senior Republican leadership aide, speaking on condition of anonymity. "It would have to be six months or a year, tops."

A strategy advocated by McCain and Keane, who has advised Bush on Iraq policy, calls for about 30,000 additional troops who would remain in Iraq from 18 months to two years. About 140,000 U.S. troops are now in Iraq....

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-usiraq6jan06,0,3061050.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[rodeodance]

1. I feel dizzy-------where are the words "Withdrawal"????????

[arikara]

2. They only care about their re-election chances

Bush faces growing unease about an extended buildup among some congressional Republicans, who are concerned that it could stretch into the 2008 election season and doom their reelection chances. About five to 10 such Republicans are in the Senate, according to GOP aides, and are expected to push for time limits or firm conditions in return for backing the increase.

They don't care about what their constituents want, nor about the people they send over there. Bastards.

[DeepModem Mom]

3. That line about reelection is astonishing, about anyone with a hint of a conscience! nt

[Mark E. Smith]

4. 18 months is an escalation.

Give Bush the right to add additional troops to this mess and they won't be coming
back anytime soon.

[MODemocrat]

9. This is going to be the same thing as voting for the war in the first place

Once Bush gets their votes, then he'll be able to keep making excuse after excuse why the troops can't be pulled out. This is indeed a trick he's concocted; which is intended to last through the next presidential election so he can remain President beyond his term. With the war still ongoing, there probably won't even be an election. Everyone is thinking about covering their own hindend, without any
regard to what's best for the troops. This is typical of the republican operatives, but I hope the
Democratic congress is above that.

If the Democrats fall for this again, I swear they're never going to have my loyalty and support again.
They'd better stop and think why they were put back in office; and that was to STOP THIS BLOODSHED. :evilfrown: :evilfrown: :evilfrown: :evilfrown: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :argh:

[Dogmudgeon]

16. What can they do? Nothing.

This is exactly what Bush wants. The press is already talking it up by repeating, "If the Democrats can't pull a rabbit out of their hat, they will be out of power in 2008 the same way." THEY get a generation, but WE get two years! And it telegraphs how the next Presidential election is going to be conducted.

The legislature's hands are tied. Most people don't realize that the President has near-absolute command over the military. If he boosts the war, people will blame Congress instead of him. He also knows that the Left will turn against itself (again), and he will win again.

"They'd better stop and think why they were put back in office; and that was to STOP THIS BLOODSHED." But WE'D better stop and think what the Constitution empowers. The President makes the war decisions; Congress signs the checks. And if it de-funds the war, Bush goes to the "black budget". The man is operating autonomously, and doing it legally. The system of Checks and Balances has a big, nasty loophole in it, and Bush found it.

And it's more than just the war. You can be sure that Bush, who has lost the legislature entirely, will focus on his complete menu of executive powers as much as possible in the next two years. A big part of that will mean ramping up the war, but I am certain he will do everything he can get away with. Blaming the Democrats for that will be a self-destructive waste of effort. We must keep the heat on Bush and the GOP, or 2008 is lost (see above).

We're going to need to do something more effective, more broad-based than simply screaming "WHORES! TRAITORS!" when we don't get what we want. Reversing the damage to our Democracy done by three devious Republican presidents over the last 26 years is going to take a sustained, multi-year effort. And ending this war without the President is going to take skill, creativity, and a lot of active public input. But I am not optimistic that without something that strikes fear into the hearts of the masses -- like a draft -- that anything will be enough. Bush will not listen to anyone. The man enjoys the dictatorial powers he has. He's "the Decider"; he's "the War President".

Screaming about the legislative branch will be ineffective -- and it's what Bush is counting on, to shift the blame to someone else. What we need to do is get our legislators to write and pass laws to prevent presidential power grabs. Investigations would help, too, and they're certainly coming. The Press is inclined to forbid us to impeach the bastard, but if the offense is sufficiently grave, it will be a done deal. It is possible that Bush's use of signing statements is to allow him technicality-based "Get Out Of Jail Free" cards.

And we could encourage international courts to indict and subpoena Bush and his flunkies, making their international travel plans after 2008 very dicey.

The frustration is understandable, but this situation has been long in the making; Bush has picked up the ball and is running with it, unopposed by law. That is what we have to change. And it's not going to be a one-shot legislative deal.

--p!

[Vincardog]

5. The only thing jr wants is to keep it going till the next pResident's watch.

God forbid aWoL should have to take responsibility for his giant cluster fuck.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I'm increasingly convinced of this. nt

[uppityperson]

6. 18 months (at least)= escalation.

[Eugene]

7. By "minimum" they really mean "for openers."

If McCain and Keane are working with the Kagan plan, they are calling
for a permanent whatever-it-takes escalation over several years
along with any commitment of resources it calls for.

Executive summary of the Kagan plan, revised Jan. 5, 2007:

Choosing Victory: A Plan for Success in Iraq

Phase I Report
By Frederick W. Kagan
Posted: Friday, January 5, 2007
PAPERS AND STUDIES
AEI Online
Publication Date: January 5, 2007

Executive Summary

Victory is still an option in Iraq. America, a country of 300 million people
with a GDP of $12 trillion and more than 1 million soldiers and Marines, has
the resources to stabilize Iraq, a state the size of California with a
population of 25 million and a GDP under $100 billion. America must use its
resources skillfully and decisively to help build a successful democratically
elected, sovereign government in Iraq.

-snip-

We must act now to restore security and stability to Baghdad. We and the enemy
have identified it as the decisive point.

-snip-

This approach requires a national commitment to victory in Iraq:

    * The ground forces must accept longer tours for several years. National Guard
       units will have to accept increased deployments during this period.
    * Equipment shortages must be overcome by transferring equipment from non-
       deploying active-duty, National Guard, and reserve units to those about to deploy.
       Military industry must be mobilized to provide replacement equipment sets urgently.
    * The president must request a dramatic increase in reconstruction aid for Iraq.

-snip-

Full article: http://www.aei.org/publications/pubID.25396/pub_detail.asp

The list goes on. In short, the neocons are calling for a massive, prolonged
increase in the Iraq war effort.

[twilliams82]

10. Someone help me out???

Saddam had nothing to do with 9/11 why did we invade in the first place???

3000+ Americans are dead for what?? oil?? to get Saddam???

TW

[Richard Steele]

11. For the many BILLION$ the war has put into the pockets of BushCabal and Co™.

That's what for.

Oh, BTW: Welcome to DU!

[twilliams82]

15. Thanks

They needed approval for this right?

Please tell me our senators voted against going into Iraq.

How did they approve this??

[newyawker99]

21. Hi twilliams82!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[ninkasi]

17. Things like this are why I hate them

How easy it seems to Kagan, and how casually he demands sacrifice on ordinary troops...from the article, he has the absolute nerve to say

"
* The ground forces must accept longer tours for several years. National Guard
units will have to accept increased deployments during this period.
* Equipment shortages must be overcome by transferring equipment from non-
deploying active-duty, National Guard, and reserve units to those about to deploy.
Military industry must be mobilized to provide replacement equipment sets urgently.
* The president must request a dramatic increase in reconstruction aid for Iraq."

Already fatigued and stressed out troops must accept longer tours for several years? Ok, why don't the children of the elite step forward, and help the sons and daughters of us peons? If war calls for sacrifice, why is the only sacrifice made by the lower and middle class of citizens? Jenna and not-Jenna can party all they want, while too many parents, or spouses, receive the dreaded knock at the door, to announce the death of a person who died in the hell that is Iraq, while the children of the ones who sent them there party on, oblivious to the pain and sacrifice of others.

Many lives, both here, and in Iraq, and in the very shrunken "coalition of the bribed", will never know another moment's peace on this earth, because someone incredibly cherished and loved by them has been sent back in a coffin, or without limbs, or sight, or minds. How easy it is for the neocons to demand sacrifice from others, and shun it for themselves. My contempt for them is endless.

[w4rma]

12. It's my understanding that the Army can only provide an additional 9,000 - 10,000 soldiers.

So where are these 30K - 40K soldiers supposed to come from?

Imho, they'd need 300,000+ additional ground troops in order to make a dent in this mess.

It's past time to leave Iraq.

[proust78]

13. It's time to start drafting Bush voters

Let's do some math, the Iraq population is 26 million. Last election Bush got 62 million votes. Let's send 26 million of them over to Iraq to be personal bodyguards for each and every Iraqi citizen. Iraqis didn't vote for this mess, Americans did.

[newyawker99]

22. Hi proust78!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[struggle4progress]

14. "Let's try to stall for another 18 months"

[Zhade]

18. ESCALATION, not surge.

Anyone who supports it should be FORCED to go fight.

[IndianaGreen]

20. Obama used the word "escalation" after he left the White House

McCain and Lieberman were at the neocon American Enterprise Institute advocating a substantial commitment of troops for as long as it takes.

I am glad that Pelosi and Reed sent that letter to Bush expressing their opposition to the surge. Wednesday the Decider will speak to the nation to tell us another pack of lies. It will be up to the American people, and Congress, to stop this madman.

[HuffleClaw]

19. how very cute, a nice little excuse to justify its FAILURE !

how conveeeeenient!