How long before Bush announces more troops being sent to Iraq ?

[kentuck]

John McCain, amongst others, have stated that we need more troops in Iraq. McCain and the congressional delegation will be returning soon. Surely they will declare themselves experts on Iraq when Congress reconvenes and will say that we indeed need more troops on the ground.

Bush and Rummy will let it simmer a few days and by the end of September, I would anticipate that they will make a decision to send 50,000 more troops to Iraq. Just like Viet Nam...

[LynneSin]

1. Iraq is old news - I'm waiting for us to send fresh troops to Iran/Syria

I mean, isn't that what is in the PNAC playbook?

[Jacobin]

2. More targets.....hmmmm

what a great idea.

Can't blame McCain too much. He spent most of the Vietnam war locked up in a bamboo cage near Hanoi.

He wasn't around to watch the lies unfold, the build up of troops, more being killed and maimed, college students shot on campus, buildings burned down, millions marching in the streets, people fleeing to Canada.........

But, you would think he might have at least read about it when he got back...

For four thousand years the M.E. has successfully repulsed all invading infidels. We will not successfully occupy Iraq. We will be gone in a year, or five years or ten years, but we will be run out. The only question is how many people will get killed before we leave.

That is the only question

[starroute]

3. But he'll pretend it's actually a decrease

Asked about U.S. force presence in Afghanistan, Bush said the U.S. presence is being "gradually replaced" by other troops.

"We've got about 10,000 troops there, which is down from, obviously, major combat operations," he said. "And they're there to provide security and they're there to provide reconstruction help. But both those functions are being gradually replaced by other troops. Germany, for example, is now providing the troops for ISAF , which is the security force for Afghanistan, under NATO control. In other words, more and more coalition forces and friends are beginning to carry a lot of the burden in Afghanistan."

In fact, the 10,000 troops in Afghanistan represent the highest number of U.S. soldiers in the country since the war there began. By the time the Taliban government had been vanquished in December 2001, U.S. troops numbered fewer than 3,000 in Afghanistan. And three months later, in March 2002, when the last major battle against remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda took place in eastern Afghanistan, about 5,000 U.S. troops were in the country.

http://atrios.blogspot.com/2003_08_17_atrios_archive.html#106129713015521513

I get very nervous when Bush uses the word "obviously." It reminds me too much of his claiming he saw the first plane hit the World Trade Center because a tv was "obviously" on in the school corridor. It's got this weird "You are now entering the Twilight Zone" quality about it.

[Cha]

4. I don't know but Mike Malloy is killing tonight!

Just giving a rant about how bush doesn't know much "troop strength in Iraq or Afghanistan!

bush said 10,000 was the lowest we've had in Afghanistan but in reality it is the Highest count!

And all the flubbed up soundbytes he's screwing up with the Army news interview.

[Clete]

5. After Labor Day?

Don't expect Shrubya to interrupt his vacation.

[AnnabelLee]

6. I wouldn't expect him to announce it

I would think that it won't be mentioned by bushco at all, unless it is brought up by a reporter, & I can only think of one or two that would bring it up.

[Raenelle]

7. Well, first he has to find some. We're kind of tapped out right now.

This is a guy who can squander anything. From record surplus to record deficit. Now the most powerful military in the world is overextended to the point of impotency. How did we ever get to the place where such a loser became president!

[alcuno]

8. I don't think that he will. He'd have to admit he was wrong.

They all suffer from two problems.

1. Out of control arrogance and an inability to ever admit wrong.
2. I don't think they have 50,000 additional troops to send.

[Wwagsthedog]

9. September Rollout?

More troops needed? Do I sense that there will be a congressional push for renewing the draft to satisfy the needs of the evil empire?
:argh: