VIDEO FLASHBACK: Bush Says Sending More Troops To Iraq Would ‘Undermine Our Strategy’

[RedEarth]

............shrub flip-flopping.................

VIDEO FLASHBACK: Bush Says Sending More Troops To Iraq Would ‘Undermine Our Strategy’

On Wednesday night, President Bush is expected to announce plans to escalate the war in Iraq by sending more U.S. troops. On June 28, 2005 — just 18 months ago — Bush said that sending more troops to Iraq would “undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead” and “suggest that we intend to stay forever.”

Bush prefaced his comments by saying that, “If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them.” Last month, Gen. Abizaid revealed that he asked all the commanders on the ground and none of them wanted more troops. Shortly thereafter, Abizaid was replaced.

Transcript:

Some Americans ask me, if completing the mission is so important, why don’t you send more troops? If our commanders on the ground say we need more troops, I will send them. But our commanders tell me they have the number of troops they need to do their job. Sending more Americans would undermine our strategy of encouraging Iraqis to take the lead in this fight. And sending more Americans would suggest that we intend to stay forever, when we are, in fact, working for the day when Iraq can defend itself and we can leave. As we determine the right force level, our troops can know that I will continue to be guided by the advice that matters: the sober judgment of our military leaders.

watch video here.......

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/08/bush-more-troops/

[Frustratedlady]

1. My memory isn't great, but where did I hear "flip-flop"?

It wasn't that long ago....hmmmmm!

[The Blue Flower]

2. Send to Keith Olbermann

pronto!

[Texasgal]

3. uhhh...Bush?

What exactly IS our strategy?

[baldguy]

4. Even 2005 was too late to increase troop levels.

The time to do it was 2003.

[Imagevision]

5. Bush is a pathetic liar, saying whatever he wants and changing statements whenever it's convenient

[underpants]

6. 1999

In 1999, Bush Demanded A Timetable
In 1999, George W. Bush criticized President Clinton for not setting a timetable for exiting Kosovo, and yet he refuses to apply the same standard to his war.

George W. Bush, 4/9/99:

“Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.”

And on the specific need for a timetable, here’s what Bush said then and what he says now:

George W. Bush, 6/5/99


“I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.”


http://thinkprogress.org/2005/06/28/in-1999-bush-demanded-a-timetable/

[Tin Man]

7. Garcon, I'd like the strategy-du-jour, s'il vous plait.

:crazy: