Despite the political posturing going on behind him in the US Congress, despite the critics, despite the shrill shrieks for opponents of the administration despite the wavering public opinion, General David Petraeus is moving ahead with confidence in his mission and in his soldiers.
"The stakes are high. The way ahead will be hard but it is not hopeless," he said on a platform at a former Saddam Hussein palace at Camp Victory. "We can and we must prevail. This mission is doable."
The change in command comes as President Bush overhauls his Iraqi policies and his team of top U.S. officials in the Middle East despite strong opposition by Democrats to plans to send 21,500 more troops to beef up security in Iraq.
Petraeus said the U.S. and the Iraqis needed to continue to work together in controlling the violence.
"The rucksack is too heavy for any one person to bear. We will all shoulder it here together," he said, adding that he wants to help the Iraqis "make the most of this opportunity to build a new country."
Petraeus was joined by Casey, Army Gen. John Abizaid, the outgoing Central Command chief, and a chaplain for the handover ceremony, which was held at a former Saddam Hussein palace at Camp Victory on the western edge of Baghdad. A U.S. Army band with the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, played the U.S. and Iraqi national anthems before the presentation of the flags.
Shame on the Janus-like politicians that unanimously confirm a man like this to perform a mission then busily try to undercut him from the safety of their Congressional offices. This man has a difficult job to carry out but believes he can – and must – carry that mission out. Even though all too many politicians are more interested in getting a sound bite on the evening news than they are in supporting him and his soldiers.
This is the very definition of steadfast. Godspeed, general.
Amen.