Top Marine: Iraq buildup may last longer than contemplated

[sabra]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20070314-1014-us-iraq-troops.html

Top Marine: Iraq buildup may last longer than contemplated

WASHINGTON – The military buildup in Iraq is likely to take longer than the American people or Congress want to wait, the Marine commandant said Wednesday.

While not mentioning Congress, Gen. James Conway also told reporters “it would be very disruptive” to commanders and troops in Iraq if there were a sudden move to stop the buildup now and start a withdrawal. He said it will be difficult for Marines to sustain the higher troop levels into next year.

Conway's remarks came as lawmakers continue to argue about Democratic proposals to limit the deployments in Iraq and force President Bush to commence a withdrawal.

It is still not clear if the troop increase that Bush ordered in January will be a short-term boost or a longer-term requirement, Conway said. He said that decision needs to come from Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, who is making battle plans based on promised troop levels.

“I think he would say ... don't jerk the rug out from under me before I've had a chance to do what I was sent here to do,” said Conway.

[leQ]

1. i've said it before and i'll say it again: you can NOT believe anything coming from the mouths

of people in this administration.

[BOSSHOG]

2. As Senator Biden said today - THEN WHAT?

After we don't pull the rug out from Petraues now, who will we be urged not to pull the rug out from under next year? This is insanity. A four star general doesn't know whether this is short term or long term but he thinks it will take longer (and on and on and on.) Just give us six more months. Yeah just give you another 600 funerals to plan for.

[TwilightGardener]

3. Oh, boy, who couldn't have seen THIS coming...

the "We're just gettin' started" defense. Gotta build up for Iran, can't let the Dems derail that.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. This is hard to believe. You mean to say they lied to us?

I'm lost for words.

[maddezmom]

5. defund the war

period