Rove: Military must be flexible in Iraq

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - Presidential advisor Karl Rove blasted Democrats on Friday for even suggesting the U.S. withdraw from Iraq, saying the U.S. can't leave one of the world's largest oil reserves in terrorist hands.

However, Rove also said the military must be flexible in its tactics. He did not elaborate.

"More sacrifice is going to be required," Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, told a ballroom full of Republicans at a fundraiser for Wisconsin candidates. "We will either create a world in which our children and our grandchildren have a hope of an optimistic future or we will leave to them a world with a hateful empire centered in the Middle East."

His remarks came on the day Iraq's prime minister and the U.S. ambassador issued a joint statement reaffirming the two countries "good and strong" relationship.

Joe Wineke, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, said the public realizes Bush and Rove took America to war under false pretenses.

"Frankly, I think Karl Rove has had too much of his own Kool-Aid. He's starting to believe his own message," Wineke said. "It's their war. It's their mess."

Rove predicted Republicans would dominate the November elections, which he said will turn on the GOP's strength, national security.

About 175 people, including Wisconsin Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner and Paul Ryan, attended the fundraiser, which generated about $40,000, state GOP executive director Rick Wiley said.

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy

AP - Presidential advisor Karl Rove blasted Democrats on Friday for even suggesting the U.S. withdraw from Iraq, saying the U.S. can't leave one of the world's largest oil reserves in terrorist hands.

However, Rove also said the military must be flexible in its tactics. He did not elaborate.

"More sacrifice is going to be required," Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, told a ballroom full of Republicans at a fundraiser for Wisconsin candidates. "We will either create a world in which our children and our grandchildren have a hope of an optimistic future or we will leave to them a world with a hateful empire centered in the Middle East."

His remarks came on the day Iraq's prime minister and the U.S. ambassador issued a joint statement reaffirming the two countries "good and strong" relationship.

Joe Wineke, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, said the public realizes Bush and Rove took America to war under false pretenses.

"Frankly, I think Karl Rove has had too much of his own Kool-Aid. He's starting to believe his own message," Wineke said. "It's their war. It's their mess."

Rove predicted Republicans would dominate the November elections, which he said will turn on the GOP's strength, national security.

About 175 people, including Wisconsin Congressmen Jim Sensenbrenner and Paul Ryan, attended the fundraiser, which generated about $40,000, state GOP executive director Rick Wiley said.

Has it really been the MILITARY that has been inflexible?

[SoFlaJDM]

after all, they get paid to do, not think

[IminWonderland]

Originally Posted by SoFlaJDM

after all, they get paid to do, not think

I mean, really though. Any time it's questioned as to why the military does what it's been doing, and why don't they change it, I get the answer that they take orders. And now, because of the orders they take, they are inflexible?

What kind of backwards world am I living in?

[avsp]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgundy (AP)

However, Rove also said the military must be flexible in its tactics. He did not elaborate.

Whilst this is fair enough, the military have tried several tactics, none seem to be effective. I'm not expecting Rove to suggest some new approach* but someone somewhere should be doing so, preferably a General.

If it is believed that other untried approaches would require more troops then this should be said.

UK leading General has already said that there's is not much more that the UK forces can do, that their presence can often 'exacerbate the situation' & that they should leave 'sometime soon'

"More sacrifice is going to be required," Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, told a ballroom full of Republicans at a fundraiser for Wisconsin candidates.

Its about time that this was said, ..., IMO it should be said much more forcefully. Equally it should be CLEARLY & LOUDLY admitted, by the admin, that the entire idea was stupid in the first place, very poorly executed & has basically failed.

IMO, Rove talking of a choice between an 'optimistic future' or a 'hateful empire' is not a clear & loud enough admission of failure, not least coz its still couched in the language of justifying the enterprise.

All these truths need to be acknowledged so that informed consent can be sought.

[...snip] His remarks came on the day Iraq's prime minister and the U.S. ambassador issued a joint statement reaffirming the two countries "good and strong" relationship.

So 'good & strong' in fact that public declarations need to be made about it, ..., reminds me of Hollywood stars that are about to divorce

Joe Wineke, chairman of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, said the public realises Bush and Rove took America to war under false pretences.

"Frankly, I think Karl Rove has had too much of his own Kool-Aid. He's starting to believe his own message," Wineke said. "It's their war. It's their mess."

Someone please make Wineke stand in the corner he is, quite frankly, a f*cking plank. ITS EVERYONES MESS

*such is my bias that I suspect that he'd consider the 'behave like Saddam' option

[avsp]

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

Has it really been the MILITARY that has been inflexible?

YOu are right, IMO

They've been limited by the resources given them by their political masters

There does seem to have been some political interference in the question of getting intell from prisoners but little other direct interference. Although there has been some intransigence on force mix, seemingly on doctrinal (&/or pride?) reasons.

Apart from, of course, the aims that they were set.

Its weird that Bush explictly said that he was against using the military to 'nation build' in the 2000 election campaign, yet this is prtecisely what has happened.

The whole PNAC effort is predicated upon showing the world that Americas resolve was strong, that it was 'not for turning'. It was to be how the politcal knock-on effects in the region were to be achieved.

However, such a strong resolve does not in itself mean inflexible military tactics. On the contray its more along the lines of 'whatever it takes to achieve the results'.

Cliffs: the military have been as flexible as their resources allow, Roves points are basically deflectionist

[KatKanPlay]

Shouldnt Rove be having this conversation with Rumsfield?? Is he saying Rumsfield is not flexable enough?? Did I miss something here?

[tbone]

Since when did Rove become an expert on the military and Iraq? While I admit he is an expert in getting people elected, this does not seem to be his place to comment.

[motivez]

He's just issuing talking points that will hopefully boost Republican confidence now that his "stay the course" talking point has backfired.

[Donkey®]

I went ahead and stopped reading once I saw the word "oil."