It is true; the last combat brigade has left Iraq. First, I just wanted to say a quick thanks to all the troops who have done the hard work of defending our country and have brought freedom to others. Second, it is important to remember that we still have over 50,000 troops who will be in Iraq for the foreseeable future continuing the mission of training Iraqi security forces. Although not considered combat brigades, it is combat nonetheless…they are in harms way everyday. Lastly, it is important to remember why we were able to withdraw our troops in a manner that does not leave Iraq in disarray.
Politicians have the propensity to take credit for things they should not take credit for. Obama will surely do the same. I am here to remind people of a few things. First, the surge. General Petreaus and his subordinates developed a plan to clean up Iraq. This plan required a surge in troop levels to be properly implemented. Very few people supported this plan, but the Bush administration did. They listened to their generals and the plan was carried out. One of the stoutest opponents was Barack Obama himself. You will remember that Obama tried to sharp shoot Petreaus in a public hearing instead of trying to understand the situation in Iraq. He and Biden also refused to vote on a measure to condemn MoveOn.org when they ran the “General Betray Us” ad in the NY Times with Biden adding “They went, in that one instance, I think, overboard. But the point they were trying to make was still valid.” But Obama went further in my opinion. After constant criticism of the surge and after it was obvious that the surge had been successful, Obama purged his criticism of the surge from his website, and then went on TV and lied to the American people about his stance. I documented the evolution of this political phenomenon when it happened.
The second point is what the surge allowed us to do. On Nov 27, 2008, the Iraqi Parliament ratified an agreement with the Bush Administration that set a timeline for Coalition troops to leave major Iraqi cities by 2009 and Iraq by 2011. This was only possible because of the improved security condition in Iraq. An improved security situation that was realized because we implemented Petraeus’ plan instead of the immediate troop withdrawal advocated by most. Obama’s promise to bring the troops home was simply plagiarism of a plan already in place.
So here is where the credit for this success in Iraq should go. First, to General Petreaus and General Odierno for developing and implementing a plan that brought enough security to Iraq to allow for this positive step to occur. Second, to those in the Bush Administration who had the courage and wisdom to listen to some Generals who knew what they were talking about. Third, to Obama for backtracking on his campaign rhetoric and pursuing what his opponent in the election supported with regards to troop removal. But most of all…to the troops that carried out the mission.
{ 1 comment }
AMEN!
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