Petraeus Has ‘Expressed Long-Term Interest’ In Running For President
Petraeus Has ‘Expressed Long-Term Interest’ In Running For President
According to a senior Iraqi officer who knew Gen. David Petraeus when he was stationed in Baghdad from 2004-2005, Petraeus is interested in running for President. From The Independent today:
The US commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus, expressed long-term interest in running for the US presidency when he was stationed in Baghdad, according to a senior Iraqi official who knew him at that time.
Sabah Khadim, then a senior adviser at Iraq’s Interior Ministry, says General Petraeus discussed with him his ambition when the general was head of training and recruitment of the Iraqi army in 2004-05.
“I asked him if he was planning to run in 2008 and he said, ‘No, that would be too soon’,” Mr Khadim, who now lives in London, said.
General Petraeus has a reputation in the US Army for being a man of great ambition. If he succeeds in reversing America’s apparent failure in Iraq, he would be a natural candidate for the White House in the presidential election in 2012.
The right wing is rooting for Petraeus to take the plunge. On Sept. 6, The New York Sun wrote an editorial titled “Petraeus for President?” The Corner’s Kathryn Jean Lopez approvingly linked to the editorial this morning, titling her post “Dream Sequence.” Last spring, The Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol told the Harvard Republican Club that he and other “conservative insider[s]” believe “a ticket of Fred Thompson and David Petraeus might be able to avert electoral disaster for the GOP” in 2008.
It’s unlikely that Petraeus would be as warmly received by the American public. In anticipation of this week’s congressional testimony, 53 percent of the public believed Petraeus would “try to make the situation in Iraq look better than it really is.” According to a Rasmussen poll of major political figures, Petraeus has an approval rating of only 24 percent — a number lower than even Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld.
Sort Comments By: Top Rated | Date
76 Responses to “Petraeus Has ‘Expressed Long-Term Interest’ In Running For President”
Topic Cloud
ArchivesBlog Roll
Petraus would do better to wait until 2012 I think to run. The field is already crowded, and much of America is not sure if he is anything but a yes man for a failed administration.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pmHe has soiled himself having come so close to Bush; he must have his sights on the presidency of Iraq.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:21 pmOh man.... Ollie North for a running mate perhaps?
Also wasn't it a few months ago that "undecided" came in 1st place in a poll of republican candidates?
September 13th, 2007 at 1:24 pm"General Petraeus has a reputation in the US Army for being a man of great ambition."
He also has a reputation for being an "a#s-kissing little chickensh!t."
Perhaps both, I guess.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:25 pmThis certainly would go a long way to explaining his highly political behavior. He will realize too late that everyone and everything affiliated with Bush is bound for ruin.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:26 pmRemember, guys, the ideal neocon candidate is not one who can win an election, but one whose "victory" can be made to look at least plausible (after the "victory" is secured with the standard election fraud, of course).
September 13th, 2007 at 1:27 pmGot a better job for him....Guard at Gitmo...FOREVER!
September 13th, 2007 at 1:27 pmAt some point people will realize that anyone attached to the disaster in Iraq will never be trusted with any public responsibility.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:28 pmLet him run for President of Iraq.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:29 pmgreat!! then instead of being an ex-democracy run by the corporate arm of the military industrial complex, we could be a real military dictatorship.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:30 pm“General Petraeus has a reputation in the US Army for being a man of great ambition.â€
He also has a reputation for being an “a#s-kissing little chickensh!t.â€
Perhaps both, I guess.
Comment by Dumb_Fox — September 13, 2007 @ 1:25 pm
They are often not very far apart.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:30 pmI watched him on the Newshour last night. There's no way. He has the personality of a rock and the liability of Iraq.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:31 pmAn a$$kissing little chickensh*t who helped lose a war for Prez? I don't think so, he will be soooo radioactive, even the rabid reichwing nuts will reject him.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:34 pm2012? Fine with me. The GOP should be but a bad memory by then. Good luck with that!
September 13th, 2007 at 1:35 pmWhere's the logic in distracting the General from his primary mission? He's supposed to be the savior of Baghdad, not prepping for elected offices.
If he can deliver all that is expected within Iraq then he will be a serious contender down the road at some time but to put his name in the ring now is another example of the lack of clear planning the republicans have exuded thus far.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:38 pmHey Petraeus - What happend to all those missing guns and equipment?
September 13th, 2007 at 1:38 pmPLEASE run for Preznit... please, please, please, please...
September 13th, 2007 at 1:39 pmThe way the future looks, we could use a general as President.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:41 pmNot sure if he's a yes man for the adminstration -- I'd say that's about the only thing they're sure of. That, and the fact that he is an "ass-kissing chickenshit." Yeah, that's the man I want for President: someone even worse than the simian we currently have. . . .
September 13th, 2007 at 1:41 pmBetrayus is the mouthpiece for Bushco's propaganda push that we're going to "win" in Iraq, which means Betrayus knows that Iraq's going down the tubes, which means that Betrayus has no compunctions about getting his troops killed to further his political ambitions. Sounds like a Republican to me.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:43 pmComment by Maddie — September 13, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
That would be one of my first questions to him.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:46 pmkeep aspiring General
September 13th, 2007 at 1:47 pmSpoiled goods.....he has been touched by the Anti-Christ (Bush) and is doomed to failure.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:49 pmP.S. -- This is what happens when you elect the shortbus student President: every retard in the nation thinks they can run for office. Keep this up, and we'll have to change the office to Special Prez.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:49 pm"The way the future looks, we could use a general as President."
Comment by Ringo — September 13, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Instead of just a President who is generally a f@cking moron.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:50 pmRingo,
September 13th, 2007 at 1:51 pmhow old are you?
I understand that most people think the far left hates the military, but you folks just prove it. You have flatly declared our 4 star general a lier. I wonder what it takes for you folks to have trust in someone. If you can't trust our military leaders, who do you trust? Very scary when you think a fringe element of American society is truly against our most trusted military figures.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:52 pmI think the fact that some Republicans are STILL looking for a candidate they can support suggests that "Party Saviour Fred Thompson" is not meeting expectations.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:53 pmYou have flatly declared our 4 star general a lier.
That's what happens when you lie.
Westmoreland was a liar too, what do you think of that?
September 13th, 2007 at 1:54 pmRather, it appears to be:
Petraeus 4
September 13th, 2007 at 1:54 pmPresident's
PIMP
Very scary when you think a fringe element of American society is truly against our most trusted military figures.
Comment by Roger_Roger
Very scary when you think a fringe element of American society is in control of our military figures.
(Don't mention it, happy to help out R2)
September 13th, 2007 at 1:56 pmRoger_Rhetoric sez:
First of all, that's because he is a liar. This has been established multiple times.
Second, it's not "hatred" to state established facts.
Third, even if we "hated" Betrayus, that sentiment does not generalize to the rest of the military, as you would like to insinuate.
1 +2 + 3 = You're an idiot, RR.
There's more to your posts, but as the rest of it is just jingoistic appeals to authority, it's not worth a response.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:59 pmAll this talk of a Presidential run or ambition by Petraeus is intended to push up his credibility when it counts, which is this week. After this week it will disappear forever. TP, by trumpeting this in a negative way, is inadvertently furthering the idea that there is any credibility at all to the idea that Petraeus is of Presidential stature. They should quit doing this; the fake "Petraeus for President" is particularly obnoxious since it is a) a fake; and b) pushes the very message that Bush wants pushed while he is trying to get his "surge" extended. Cease and desist, guys.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:04 pmMost trusted military members? His own boss thinks he's chickensh!t.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:05 pmI was referring to the fake "Petraeus for President" button graphic that TP conjured up. Something that requires a large label saying WARNING: THIS IS A FANTASY shouldn't be posted in the first place.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:05 pmRoger Dodger; It because many of us ARE veterans, we don't trust military yes-men. We have SEEN, first hand the lying BS about "winning, seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, turning the corner, making progress" or anything other description used. We don't think it's worth it.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:10 pmWestmoreland was a liar too!- comment by PeterW.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:13 pmBULLSEYE!!!
The way the future looks, we could use a general as President.
Comment by Ringo — September 13, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
Generals don't have the best track records as presidents. Most of them were better generals than they were as presidents. Take a look at Grant, for example. And then there's Eisenhower -- he was a more dynamic general than he was a president. But under his watch, we did get a cease-fire in Korea and we managed not to get into any other wars.
General Wesley Clark has tried to run for president, but has failed to catch fire. Colin Powell has been encouraged to run for president, but wisely has chosen to avoid that like the plague (which was a smart move).
September 13th, 2007 at 2:15 pmSo Freddie (yes, that's his given name) isn't quite meeting expectations, eh?
September 13th, 2007 at 2:16 pmWasn't Grant an alcoholic?
September 13th, 2007 at 2:19 pmRingo: No doubt that would fit well in your plan for martial law and concentration camps. What a jackass.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:21 pmIf you can’t trust our military leaders, who do you trust?
Comment by Roger_Roger — September 13, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
Wake up -- military leaders are humans, not gods. There are good ones and bad ones, principled ones and yes-men, honest ones and corrupt ones. JUST AS THERE ARE IN ANY INDUSTRY OR WALK OF LIFE IN OUR SOCIETY.
I prefer to believe that anyone who has managed to achieve the rank of four-star general could only have gotten there by being trustworthy. But when I look at the current military Commander in Chief, I realize this isn't always the case.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:21 pmmissmolly; Ike sent in the first US 'military advisors" to Vietnam in 1954, and acquiesced in the refusing to hold elections in the south that same year, because Ho Chi Minh would have won any election hands down.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:24 pmooops; election in South Vietnam were supposed to have been held in 1956. sorry.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:26 pmSpeaking of presidential inexperience and ambition, Mitt Romney added to his legend by proclaiming that his three leading Democratic opponents - all U.S. Senators - lack his foreign policy experience. More ironic still, the one-term governor and international affairs neophyte leveled the charge while speaking in Midland, Texas, home of one George W. Bush.
For the details, see:
September 13th, 2007 at 2:26 pm"Romney Attacks Dem Foes' Foreign Policy Experience."
24% approval rating? Strange, I see a favorable rating of 52% in the most recent USA Today Gallup Poll.
http://pollingreport.com/P.htm#Petraeus
September 13th, 2007 at 2:28 pmI am disgusted at the bile being spewed from the left. Hillary and Obama have, in FACT, expressed interest in being President. Does that mean we shouldn't trust their opinion on Iraq?
The truth is - people like Amanda are modern day McCarthyists who throw venom and hate towards anyone who doesn't share their view on Iraq. (or in this case, loves their country and supports our troops).
You traitors should be tried and executed for treason.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:31 pmWatch Chris Matthews and Joe Biden talk about Petraeus' report - it's INTENSE:
Video
September 13th, 2007 at 2:33 pmhttp://beta.redlasso.com/Community/ClipPlayer.aspx?i=564a4f46-8e78-467d-9078-245db63d4931
You traitors should be tried and executed for treason.
Comment by Amanda = Smear Queen — September 13, 2007 @ 2:31 pm
Be a little tough to try and execute 70% of the country.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:36 pmBring him on!
September 13th, 2007 at 2:40 pmKranzy - no, just TP. Most Americans are aloof and just hate seeing our soldiers die. TP gets off on it so they can further propogate the pro-terrorist agenda.
You brownshirts should be hung out to dry. George Washington would spit on you.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:41 pmI understand that most people think the far left hates the military, but you folks just prove it. You have flatly declared our 4 star general a lier. I wonder what it takes for you folks to have trust in someone. If you can’t trust our military leaders, who do you trust? Very scary when you think a fringe element of American society is truly against our most trusted military figures.
Comment by Roger_Roger — September 13, 2007 @ 1:52 pm
53% is a rathar large fringe, knucklehead.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:41 pmYou brownshirts should be hung out to dry. George Washington would spit on you.
Comment by Amanda = Smear Queen — September 13, 2007 @ 2:41 pm
Umm you are the one saying we should round up people and kill them not me. Sounds like the type of tactics both Hitler and Stalin used to prevent any sort of dissent. Perhaps you should check your shirt color.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:47 pmThe truth is - people like Amanda are modern day McCarthyists who throw venom and hate towards anyone who doesn’t share their view on Iraq. (or in this case, loves their country and supports our troops).
You traitors should be tried and executed for treason.
Does anyone else see the hypocritical comedy genius in this?
September 13th, 2007 at 2:52 pmThis guy should do stand up!
General Petraeus is a public servant. When he fails to serve the interests of the American people, and foremost, fails to serve the interests of the soldiers under his command, he deserves to be criticized. Those 4 stars don't give him immunity from criticism, they give him grave responsibility. He is proving himself to be nothing more than a cocktail circuit officer, just like Pace.
September 13th, 2007 at 2:52 pmAmanda-
George Washington would probably be WAY too busy trying to convince the American public and our representatives on the Hill to Impeach and then hang this current Administration for being the traitors and enemies to our Constitution that they have sadly shown themselves to be time and time again. Chew on this you mis-guided loser-
"As Mankind becomes more liberal, they will be more apt to allow that all those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the community are equally entitled to the protections of civil government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations of justice and liberality."
September 13th, 2007 at 3:02 pmGeorge Washington (1732 - 1799)
Wilco sez:
ASQ could open for Cynicon Implant in Vegas. ^_^
September 13th, 2007 at 3:03 pmver, have a different soldier in mind for the vice presidency. Last spring, The Weekly Standard's William Kristol told a group of college students, in an off-the-record meeting of the Harvard Republican Club, that a ticket of Fred Thompson and David Petraeus might be able to avert electoral disaster for the GOP next year. If Petraeus proves successful as a military commander in Iraq, Kristol said, he could be a potent running mate for the former senator from Tennessee.
http://politicalinsider.com/
Great. Partisan Generals...
September 13th, 2007 at 3:15 pmComment by Uncle Ho — September 13, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
oops -- you're right. I forgot about Ike's involvement in Vietnam. Probably because his actions were so overshadowed by LBJ throwing gasoline on the fire with his Gulf of Tonkin resolution.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:17 pmDear Betrayus: bring on your treason, your war crimes, your lies... Sounds like you have the makings of another worthless GOP Presidential candidate...
September 13th, 2007 at 3:18 pmGeneral Betray-us has made such a buffoon of himself during his presentation to Congress that he'd be laughed off the podium if he chose to run for President.
September 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pmGeneral Betray-us should settle for a "baseball card" since he's now joined the "bush league".
September 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pmrazzie- there are NO baseball cards for the Bush league that I'm aware of. Hmmm, a new product for Topps?
September 13th, 2007 at 3:35 pmThe Bush League does have an anthem.
In concert: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZe31Sz2kzY
Lyrics: http://home.att.net/~chuckayoub/bushleaguer.html
September 13th, 2007 at 3:44 pmAnd of course this partisan political operative will run as a Republican, or what will be known years from now as the Failure Chimp party.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:12 pmThis guy isn't a very good General and he'd suck as President. Remember his former job was training the Iraqi Army. You see how well he did that job, they can't fight at all.
September 13th, 2007 at 4:37 pmThis has got to be a first. TP hanging on the quote of a London ex-pat Iraqi Interior Ministry "advisor?" Khadim is one of Allawi's guys. I thought you all considered Allawi a somewhat "unreliable," CIA flunky and all that.
The interesting thing is that TP actually is more reliable than The Independent/Gang of Fisk, or The Inter-Press Service. Think about that for a moment.
September 13th, 2007 at 5:54 pmWhat sort of sordid fairy tale is this? What a nightmarish turn of events.
September 13th, 2007 at 7:26 pmThis would be tantamount to a military takeover of our sovereign institutions, exactly what Dwight Eisenhower meant by the military- industrial complex. Gen. Petraeus resembles something akin to a thing rising from a cat box. The only way to save our country from a fate that is unimaginable is for the vast amount of people in this country to give up Conservative Republicanism just the way alcoholics give up the bottle....
"Hello everyone, I am _______ and i am a recovering Republican"
And?
Ass Clowns.
September 13th, 2007 at 9:05 pmif he can train an exploratory committee and a cabinet the way he 'trained'the Iraqi Security Forces, DON'T BOTHER!!!
September 13th, 2007 at 9:31 pmBetray-Us will never be president. He lacks the stones.
September 13th, 2007 at 11:21 pmConsidering the disgrace the GOP has installed in the White House, I would say he is A PERFECT candidate for the GOP, Miserable Failure, Part Deux. Now if we could only google bomb...we could have put him at #2...
September 14th, 2007 at 5:20 amConsidering the quality of leadership we've been electing over the past few decades he'd fit right in.
September 14th, 2007 at 1:17 pmmissmolly said: "Generals don’t have the best track records as presidents."
Geez, I don't know. Ever heard of George Washington?
But yes, in the main, generals make bad presidents.
September 15th, 2007 at 1:10 pmI wonder what it takes for you folks to have trust in someone
Well, for one, that "someone" would need to be something other than a lying GOP scumbag.
September 17th, 2007 at 7:20 amso combine massive ego with delusions of grandeur and what do you get?
a military version of moron*
September 17th, 2007 at 10:55 am