Romney's position on Iraq Benchmarks and Timetables, in April of 2007:

"There's no question that the president and (Iraqi) Prime Minister al-Maliki have to have a series of timetables and milestones that they speak about. But those shouldn't be for public pronouncement. You don't want the enemy to understand how long they have to wait in the weeds until you're going to be gone."

Clearly, any competent military commander will have a way to measure progress and success. To execute any operation without clearly defined goals, benchmarks, and timetables is to be flying blind. Yet, for the reasons Romney mentioned, it's important that such a plan not be public information for the enemy.

McCain is now attacking Romney for supporting of private benchmarks and timetables. This is galling in that McCain knows as well as anyone why such private benchmarks currently exist, and will continue to exist with any future operations. And in characteristic form, McCain goes on to smear Romney's position as advocating for withdrawal from Iraq.

"If we surrender and wave a white flag, like Senator Clinton wants to do, and withdraw, as Governor Romney wanted to do, then there will be chaos, genocide, and the cost of American blood and treasure would be dramatically higher."

Were this simply a case of McCain misrepresenting Romney on an issue, it would be any other day of the week. But consider that at this time last year, McCain embraced the very same thing for which he is attacking Romney today. To quote from the article:

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one of the most stalwart supporters of the war in Iraq, said Thursday that he might propose that the Iraqi government meet certain benchmarks for the United States to continue its engagement.
...
Asked what penalty would be imposed if Iraq failed to meet his benchmarks, he said: "I think everybody knows the consequences. Haven't met the benchmarks? Obviously, then, we're not able to complete the mission. Then you have to examine your options."

And to put the final shock and awe on this already remarkable display of hypocrisy, what is McCain's response to Team Mitt's demand for an apology on the misleading attacks?

"I think the apology is owed to the young men and women serving this nation in uniform, that we will not let them down in hard times or good. That is who the apology is owed to."

Indeed, apologies are due. To the Romney campaign, for knowingly distorting his position. To the public, for turning a military strategy debate into "gotcha" politics for McCain's political advantage. And to the American soldiers whom McCain is using as pawns in his decade long quest for the Presidency. Disgraceful.

Labels: iraq war, John McCain, mitt romney