Getting It Right In Iraq
John McCain and Joe Lieberman publish an op-ed in today's Wall Street Journal that details just how wrong the opponents of the surge strategy in Iraq have been. They caution that the changes in Iraq are not yet permanent, nor is ultimate victory yet assured. But unlike the Democrats running for president, they are able to acknowledge real progress. They offer some things we must do to keep making progress in Iraq:
First, it is unknown whether the security gains we have achieved with the surge can be sustained — and deepened — after we have drawn down to 15 brigades. Until we know with certainty that we can keep al Qaeda on the run with 15 brigades, it would be a mistake to commit ourselves preemptively to a drawdown below that number.
As the surge should have taught us by now, troop numbers matter in Iraq. We should adjust those numbers based on conditions on the ground and the recommendations of our commanders in Iraq — first and foremost, Gen. Petraeus, who above all others has proven that he knows how to steer this war to a successful outcome.
Every American should feel a debt of gratitude to Gen. Petraeus and the great American troops fighting under him for us. This gratitude is due not simply for the extraordinary progress they have accomplished in Iraq, but for what they have taught us about ourselves.
If the mismanagement of the Iraq war from 2003 to 2006 exposed our government's capacity for incompetence, Gen. Petraeus' leadership this past year, and the conduct of the troops under his command, have reminded us of our capacity for the wisdom, the courage and the leadership that has always rallied our nation to greatness.
As Americans, we have repeatedly done what others said was impossible. Gen. Petraeus and his troops are doing that again in Iraq today.
I have pointed out, over and over again, that a precipitous withdrawal would be a defeat for this country and a disaster for both the United States and for the Iraqi people. McCain and Lieberman have been two stalwarts on this issue who realize the disaster running away would be. Al Qaeda is being badly beaten right now in Iraq. That is good for America and for the world. It is especially good for the Iraqi people.
By Maggie, January 10, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Gaius -
A sidebar: A McCain/Lieberman GOP ticket in 2008?
We COULD do a hell of a lot worse, especially on the dem side no matter how you slice it. At least THEY (MaCain/Lieberman) `get it’ … I’d tap the screen for that.
By David M, January 10, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
The Thunder Run has linked to this post in the – Web Reconnaissance for 01/10/2008 A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention, updated throughout the day…so check back often.
By martian, January 10, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Maggie, I came to the comments page on this post to ask about whether anyone else had thought of a McCain/Lieberman GOP ticket in this next election. Obviously, it occured to you, as well. If we remember back in 2004 there was a LOT of speculation about the possibility of a Kerry/McCain ticket because of the friendship between the two and the Kerry campaign even played it up some until McCain had to make it very clear that he would NOT be leaving the Republican Party to run with Kerry. The problem of rejecting one’s party doesn’t come up in the McCain/Lieberman scenario because Lieberman is ALREADY an independent. He dumped the Dems when they dumped him.
Mind you I’m not necessarily advocating such a ticket. While I do like Lieberman in general something he said last time he ran for VP kind of turned me off on him (besides that he was still a Democrat at the time). At the time he stated that as a practicing Jew if elected VP he would refuse to work on the Sabbath. Unfortunately, the jobs of President and Vice President are 24/7 365 day a year jobs. A person in one of those positions can’t refuse to work on the Sabbath or any other day. If there is a crisis that needs to be addressed or just a workload that is pressing and immediate and needs to be taken care of, a president or VP cannot allow his religion (or anything else) to come before his obligation to the American People.