'Time is Running Out' In Iraq (Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno)

[RamboLiberal]

http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/story?id=2796220&page=1

In an exclusive interview with ABC News, Lt. Gen. Ray Odierno, the top commander of U.S. ground forces in Iraq, says the current surge of 21,500 troops is not "open-ended" and warned that "time is running out" for the United States to turn things around in Iraq.

ABC News' Jonathan Karl interviewed Odierno earlier today in Baghdad.

Odierno said "time is running out" for a number of reasons, including domestic pressures at home. "Not so much the political environment," he said, "but the support for this in the United States."

The head of Multi-National Corps-Iraq also cited concerns about another renewal of the United Nations resolution that allows the presence of multi-national forces in Iraq. He also has concerns about potential limitations on authority that might be imposed if the resolution is extended again. The U.N. Security Council Resolution 1723 expires on December 31, 2007.

Speaking of President Bush's decision to send an additional 21,500 troops to Iraq, Odierno said, "Whether it's the last chance or not, I'm not willing to go that far, what I will say, it's not open-ended."

[Barrett808]

1. This "time is running out" narrative really annoys me

What would have to happen for us to conclude time has actually run out? Children tortured to death by drilling their eyes out? Oh right, that's been happening for years now.

[IndianaGreen]

2. The sooner the time runs out, the sooner we get our troops home

Personally, I think the war was lost long ago. What we got here is a desperate attempt to delay the ultimate defeat until after election day.