‘War czar’ nominee admits doubting escalation.
Proposed “war czar” Lt. Gen. Douglas Lute said today in a written response to the Senate Armed Services Committee that he had voiced skepticism of President Bush’s escalation plan when it was initially proposed.
“During the review, I registered concerns that a military ’surge’ would likely have only temporary and localized effects unless it were accompanied by counterpart ’surges’ by the Iraqi government and the other, nonmilitary agencies of the U.S. government,” Lute wrote in a document obtained by The Associated Press.
“I also noted that our enemies in Iraq have, in effect, ‘a vote’ and should be expected to take specific steps to counter from our efforts,” he added. “The new policy took such concerns into account. It is too soon to tell the outcome.”
ThinkProgress noted last month that Lute had argued publicly that withdrawing troops was necessary to “undercut the perception of occupation.” His Senate confirmation hearing is tomorrow. We’ll see how he explains how Bush’s escalation plan “took such concerns into account.”
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Needs at least three Friedmans to tell the outcome. Right.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:26 pmSooooo…. what’s your point TP?
This guy wants “counterpart surges” from the Iraqi govt, and other non-military entities? Is that what you’re advocating?
Or do you support his theory that we need to work on the “*perception* of occupation,”?
June 6th, 2007 at 7:27 pmBut I wanted a promotion so I decided to sell my soul to that nimrod GW.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:31 pmApparently BushCo can’t even interview people for ‘the team’ effectively. It’s only a matter of time before he starts singing a different tune; 50 years, no end in site, things are getting better, yada yada yada.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:43 pmI think if Lute actually wants this job, then he’s probably getting what he deserves.
June 6th, 2007 at 7:56 pmOops, forgot to take off my Zookeeper hat. :}
June 6th, 2007 at 7:57 pmThey’ve gotten away with their blatant corruption for so long, that now they are admitting it outright without an ounce of shame…
Disgusting
June 6th, 2007 at 8:00 pmMr. President, you’re too freakin’ smart.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:06 pmComment #3
I don’t see it as a promotion. His pay, for one, wouldn’t change since the President hasn’t nominated him (at least not yet) for appointment to the rank of General. The job he presently has as Director of Operations, Joint Staff, is a high-level position on its own. If I were him, I would just stay at the Pentagon.
June 6th, 2007 at 8:12 pmMr. President, you’re too freakin’ smart.
Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 6, 2007 @ 8:06 pm
Well thanks, CT.
You’re not so bad youself.
I just hope that the rest of these poor souls can see through TP’s B.S.
Those poor, poor souls…
It’s sad…
June 6th, 2007 at 8:13 pmMr. President,
Good to talk to you.
Back to the General Pace thread, I’ve having some trouble setting something straight.
Judging impartially from the letter he sent to Judge Walton, could you infer anything political about it, other than professional compliments? (My own thoughts answer leans more towards no.) Is this just a coincedence poster from TP?
June 6th, 2007 at 8:21 pmMr. President,
Good to talk to you.
Back to the General Pace thread, I’ve having some trouble setting something straight.
Judging impartially from the letter he sent to Judge Walton, could you infer anything political about it, other than professional compliments? (My own thoughts answer leans more towards no.) Is this just a coincedence poster from TP?
Comment by CompTROLLER V-1 — June 6, 2007 @ 8:21 pm
What gen Pace thread?
June 6th, 2007 at 8:37 pmThe Kokesh/Pace thread, where Kokesh recieved less than an H.D. and Pace mailed a letter to the judge. You condemned it, in which you may have been right.
Well, I won’t keep you much. Don’t worry about answering it.
You’re a good man, Mr. President. A good man.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:01 pmWhose perception? What occupation? What we got here is a failure to listen and learn, the very hallmark of the Bush administration.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:11 pmwell this is all a bit technical for me - counter surges with the current surge that has been surging for 3 months or so and SHIT! - the enemy has a vote!! - and this in turn must be countered - so,with the dribble/surge from petraeus and a back up counter-surge surge from the lute guy this should help eliminate the vote…..i see - now it all makes sense
June 6th, 2007 at 9:50 pmJust more games being played in DC.
June 6th, 2007 at 9:51 pmBut will he have the balls to call things as he sees them, or is he going to bend over and grab his ankles for Bush and Cheney?
June 6th, 2007 at 11:36 pmIn his first move the War Pawn risks an en passant!
June 7th, 2007 at 12:22 am