McCain/Lieberman: Iraq Is One Of The Most Extraordinary Turnarounds Of American Military History
Which makes them wonder why Democrats need to disparage it and deny the soldiers responsible for it the funding they need.
Simply put: a year ago, al-Qaida was winning in Iraq. Now we are.
Our soldiers know they have seized the momentum in this fight.
Idealistic and innovative, they rightly recognize what has happened this year under Gen. Petraeus as one of the most extraordinary turnarounds in American military history.
As a result of the hard-won gains our troops have secured, Gen. Petraeus has been able to initiate a drawdown of U.S. forces. The first 5,000 American troops are now on their way out of Iraq, with more likely to follow in the months ahead. However, we should not have an automatic timetable for withdrawing brigades. Gen. Petraeus should decide the size of the force he needs to maintain security and keep our enemies on the run.
The success that Gen. Petraeus and his troops have achieved could provide the foundation for a new bipartisan consensus about Iraq in Washington. All of us, after all, want our troops to succeed in Iraq so that they can begin to come home with honor.
Unfortunately, too many Democrats have thus far been reluctant to welcome the reality of progress — instead searching for ways to deny or disparage it.
Why are Democrats doing this? Because success in Iraq is not convenient for the politically.
Really, it’s as simple as that. Partisan politics to them is more important than success in Iraq, the well-being of our soldiers, and the promotion of sound foreign policy for this country.
