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Title: Bush book reveals McConnell's hypocrisy on Iraq (Asked Bush to reduce troops)
Source:
Salon
URL Source: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/ ... mcconnell_bush_iraq/index.html
Published: Nov 10, 2010
Author: Justin Elliot
Post Date: 2010-11-10 18:39:55 by go65
Keywords: None
Views: 2797
Comments: 14
Before the 2006 midterm elections in which Republicans ultimately took a clobbering, Sen. Mitch McConnell asked President Bush in a private Oval Office meeting to pull some troops out of Iraq in order to boost the GOP's chances, Bush reports in his new memoir. And in the same month -- September 2006 -- that McConnell made his private request, he publicly blasted Democrats for calling for a reduction of troops in Iraq, saying that their position endangered Americans. "The Democrat leadership finally agrees on something -- unfortunately it's retreat," McConnell said in a Sept. 5, 2006, statement in response to a Democratic letter asking Bush to change his Iraq policy. Using blistering language, McConnell continued: "Whether they call it 'redeployment' or 'phased withdrawal,' the effect is the same: We would leave Americans more vulnerable and Iraqis at the mercy of al-Qaeda, a terrorist group whose aim -- toward Iraqis and Americans -- is clear." The Democratic letter had asked Bush to begin "the phased redeployment of U.S. forces" from Iraq. Despite his public statement blasting Democrats for advocating "retreat," McConnell, then the Republican whip in the Senate, requested a private meeting with Bush to urge essentially the same policy shift Democrats were advocating. Bush ultimately did the opposite, ordering more troops to Iraq in the wake of the election. McConnell is currently the Senate Minority Leader. The divergence of McConnell's public and private positions on Iraq is all the more remarkable considering that he attacked Democrats in the strongest of terms, accusing them of endangering U.S. security. Besides highlighting that contradiction, the episode raises questions about McConnell's apparent wish to make foreign policy decisions based on his party's electoral prospects at home. And it suggests that McConnell did not truly believe the Iraq war was necessary to preserve U.S. security; if he did, he presumably would not have advocated pulling troops out to help win an election. Clearly, this anecdote is self-serving for Bush. But a spokesman for McConnell did not issue a denial when asked about it by the Courier-Journal of Louisville, Kentucky, saying only that the senator "does not comment on any advice he may have given the president on improving his political standing." We have put in an inquiry with McConnell's office to see if he has any other comment. Here's the passage from Bush's book, "Decision Points": "Mr. President," he said, "your unpopularity is going to cost us control of the Congress." Mitch had a point. Many Americans were tired of my presidency. But that wasn't the only reason our party was in trouble. I flashed back to the Republican congressmen sent to jail for taking bribes, disgraced by sex scandals, or implicated in lobbying investigations. Then there was the wasteful spending, the earmarks for pork-barrel projects, and our failure to reform Social Security despite majorities in both houses of Congress. "Well, Mitch," I asked, "what do you want me to do about it?" "Mr. President," he said, "bring some troops home from Iraq." He was not alone. As violence in Iraq escalated, members of both parties had called for a pullout. "Mitch," I said, "I believe our presence in Iraq is necessary to protect America, and I will not withdraw troops unless military conditions warrant." I made it clear I would set troop levels to achieve victory in Iraq, not victory at the polls. In September 2006, with the midterm elections approaching, my friend Mitch McConnell came to the Oval Office. The senior senator from Kentucky and Republican whip had asked to see me alone. Mitch has a sharp political nose, and he smelled trouble.
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#1. To: All (#0)
McConnell needs to resign immediately over this. He has no business being a U.S. Senator when he thinks our troops are political pawns.
Then I guess you will also call for Obama's resignation?
rotflmao.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
I felt the same way in November of 2006, day after the mid terms, as McConnell did. My reason, which I posted at the time, was I didn't think a 'surge' in Iraq would work given the Rules of Engagement that had been - up til that point - used between 2004 and 2006. Bush as CINC changed the ROE, and we won. McConnell, as much as I detest him, was right here, as things stood in SEPTEMBER of 2006.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
There's a big difference - you said you didn't think the surge would work, McConnell wanted troops to be removed because he thought it would help them politically.
I didn't think it would work under the existing ROE. That was the big difference between winning or failing in Iraq. But no denying McConnell's a piece of shit. Thats another reason why I'm glad the GOP didn't retake the Senate, in hindsight. I don't want this Trent Lott type retrend to become Senate Majority Leader.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Bush Torture OK. Arrest him now. And bush43 reads The Pet Goat upside down. He says he can write? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA 8D
That was the big difference between winning or failing in Iraq. and the big difference between your view and McConnell's is he wanted Bush to withdraw troops because he thought it would help Republicans in elections. That is an impeachable offense.
Oh bullshit. I don't like the guy, but thats ridiculous. Get back to me when you call for Durbin, Schumer, Boxer, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, and of course our walking 'dumb stick' Vice Presidents impeachment.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Sure, as soon as they argue for troop deployments to be based on political considerations. Can you imagine the outrage if Nancy Pelosi called Obama in September and told him to withdraw troops from Afghanistan to help the Democrats' election chances?
Oh bullshit. Give it a rest, its not an impeachable offense under any circumstances.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
You know Fox/Limbaugh would be on this 24/7 if a Democrat asked Obama to withdraw troops from Afghanistan to help an election.
How's the Gulf Coast evacuation proceding, mcclown? What is the death toll from Obama's oil disaster? Is it approaching a million yet? You should be embarrassed, psycho!
More bullshit. Its not an impeachable offense.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#2. To: go65 (#1)
McConnell needs to resign immediately over this. He has no business being a U.S. Senator when he thinks our troops are political pawns.
#3. To: Ibluafartsky (#2)
#4. To: go65 (#0)
#5. To: Badeye (#4)
McConnell, as much as I detest him, was right here, as things stood in SEPTEMBER of 2006.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#6. To: go65 (#5)
#7. To: go65 (#0)
#8. To: Badeye (#6)
I didn't think it would work under the existing ROE.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#9. To: go65 (#8)
That is an impeachable offense.
#10. To: Badeye (#9)
Get back to me when you call for Durbin, Schumer, Boxer, Pelosi, Reid, Frank, and of course our walking 'dumb stick' Vice Presidents impeachment.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#11. To: go65 (#10)
#12. To: Badeye (#11)
Oh bullshit. Give it a rest, its not an impeachable offense under any circumstances.
On January 3, 2011 the GOP assumes responsibility for deficit spending.
#13. To: mcgowanjm, go65 (#7)
Arrest him now.
#14. To: go65 (#12)
You know Fox/Limbaugh would be on this 24/7 if a Democrat asked Obama to withdraw troops from Afghanistan to help an election.
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