PALIN WRONG: General McKiernan: IRAQ-STYLE SURGE WON'T WORK IN AFGHANISTAN

[A-Schwarzenegger]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20081002/news_1n2afghan.html

By Ann Scott Tyson
THE WASHINGTON POST

October 2, 2008

WASHINGTON – The new top U.S. commander in Afghanistan said yesterday that more U.S. troops are urgently required to combat a worsening insurgency, but he stated emphatically that no Iraq-style “surge” of forces will end the conflict there.

“Afghanistan is not Iraq,” said Gen. David McKiernan, who led ground forces during the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and took over four months ago as head of the NATO-led coalition in Afghanistan.

During a news conference yesterday, McKiernan described Afghanistan as “a far more complex environment than I ever found in Iraq.” The country's mountainous terrain and rural population, its poverty and illiteracy, its 400 major tribal networks and history of civil war all make for unique challenges, he said.

“The word I don't use for Afghanistan is 'surge,' ” McKiernan emphasized, saying that what is required instead is a “sustained commitment” to a counterinsurgency effort that could last many more years and would ultimately require a political, not military, solution.

The strategic differences or similarities between Iraq and Afghanistan have emerged as an issue in the presidential campaign. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, the Republican nominee, and Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, the Democratic nominee, both have expressed support for sending additional troops, although not necessarily as many as McKiernan has requested.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

1. kick for truth

[JackBeck]

2. It's going to take a few days to sort out Palin's lies.

Thanks for starting the debunking.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

5. The longer people look at what she said, the more lies will emerge.

[KittyWampus]

3. and she got the commander in Afghanistan's name

[mscuedawg]

4. Kick for TRUTH!!!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

6. Thanks. There's about 95% static in the posting right now.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. trying again, think this is important

[MadBadger]

8. Let's start with the name...if she cant get that right...

[and-justice-for-all]

9. I knew she was full of shit..nt

[NotThisTime]

10. Thank you! Kick & Rec

[A-Schwarzenegger]

11. kick - Keith talking about it now

[Bubbha Jo]

12. I found that headline during the debate... it's on KO right now....

[vanderBeth]

13. Yeas, but what did McClellan say?

[Johonny]

26. He said he will eventually take Richmond

he just needs more time

[A-Schwarzenegger]

14. How about some rec's on this!!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

15. how about a rec for mcClelland, whoever he is!

[starroute]

18. General George B. McClellan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_B._McClellan

George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was a major general during the American Civil War. He organized the famous Army of the Potomac and served briefly (November 1861 to March 1862) as the general-in-chief of the Union Army. Early in the war, McClellan played an important role in raising a well-trained and organized army for the Union. However, although McClellan was meticulous in his planning and preparations, these attributes may have hampered his ability to challenge aggressive opponents in a fast-moving battlefield environment. He chronically overestimated the strength of enemy units and was reluctant to apply principles of mass, frequently leaving large portions of his army unengaged at decisive points.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

19. !

[Born_A_Truman]

16. K & R

[A-Schwarzenegger]

17. thnks

[A-Schwarzenegger]

20. Last kick for the night for a truth that matters big. Got rec?

[dennysp]

21. Yeah. I read this today. Joe Biden was absolutely

correct. Funny, they must not have had an opportunity to fill her in on today's events!

[A-Schwarzenegger]

24. Oh wow, I hadnt even noticed that was today!

[Zynx]

22. And she said "General McClellan"

[A-Schwarzenegger]

28. Wrong name & utterly wrong on what he said about the surge.

[Egnever]

23. Of course she was wrong

Biden knows his stuff when it comes to foreign policy. Hell the general probably said it to him directly.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

25. The more the debate is analyzed, the better&better he will become.

[democracy1st]

27. K & R

[A-Schwarzenegger]

29. afternoon delight kick

[Kurovski]

30. K&R. (nt)