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

Here's what Romney said about Iraq back in June at the CNN debate. Most of the question is the ever-present handwringing about "if you knew then, what you know now...". However, during his answer Romney says that, looking forward, the right thing to do is to stabilize Iraq.

Then comes today's op-ed in the NY Times from former critics of the handling of the war saying that the troop surge is working and that Iraq is stabilizing. Score one for Romney.

Labels: iraq war

I just got an email from Howard Dean. I have to give the Dems this. They know how to elicit a reaction among their base and how to capitalize on it. I know that many pundits of late have made beans about the Dems outraising the GOP online. My theory: The Dems have a hot button issue that evokes emotion and they are willing (some would say conniving) to monetize that issue as best they can.

See for yourself.

Right now McCain taking heat from the left for being solid on Iraq. He's almost a lightning rod for the left's pure animus about the war. Why?

Because secretly would love to vote for the guy if he would just denounce Bush like he usually does. Instead he's standing on principle.

Unfortunately for McCain - he's the punching bag - not Romney or Rudy.

Labels: democrats, iraq war

Romney had a fantastic interview with George on "This Week". Here are some key excerpts. Here Romney fields some tough questions in a lightning fashoin and shows why he knows his stuff. Referring to numerous books including Lawrence Wright's book "The Looming Tower".

Labels: iraq war, video

I always have to preface any comment I make about McCain with these two statements:

John McCain is a great American.
John McCain is not a great conservative.

Harry Reid has decided to pull a stunt to gather some press airtime over the weekend by scheduling a vote on Iraq on Saturday. Note: this is blatantly politically motivated. That being said... where is John McCain going to be on Saturday? Hazard a guess?

According to ABC here's what the rest of the field is going to be doing:

• Hillary?: "...had planned to spend a full day in New Hampshire. Instead, she will host a town hall meeting in Dover, N.H., in the morning and then return to Washington to vote."
  
• Joe Biden?: "...in Iowa on Friday and will return to Capitol Hill on Saturday. He will head back to Iowa after the vote to attend a dinner in Davenport."
  
• Chris Dodd?: "...was supposed to be in South Carolina on Saturday, but his campaign was considering sending a surrogate."
  
• Brownback?: "...had planned to be in Florida to attend the National Religious Broadcasters' convention but is cutting short his visit even though he doesn't plan to side with Reid."
  
• Barack O?: "... will be able to fit the vote into his campaign schedule."
  

And how about John McCain? "...he plans to stick to his itinerary of three town hall meetings in Iowa, the early voting state in the primary process."

John will not be voting on the Iraq issue. It's no skin off my back John. Just more grist for my mill. But in all seriousness I wish he would show some muster and be a Republican Senator. Who knows... his vote might make all the difference for a few Senators. (It certainly would help his cause with conservatives)

Labels: iraq war, McCain

As I mentioned earlier in the week, I had the opportunity to participate in the founding meeting of Women for FUTURE. This group is building numerous facilities around Iraq, providing support for Iraqi families to build up a foundation of education and oragnization, promoting volunteerism and self-reliance to Iraqi communities. The even was held on Capitol hill and attended by numerous officials including Senator Bennett from Utah.


The first clip I want to show you is of Colleen Parkin, who's son was killed in Iraq in a Helicopter accident. Her words should remind all of us why we are in Iraq and why should fight to win. Colleen is introduced by one of the women delegates from Iraq.



Next, my wife and I performed for the event a song called "For Good" about reconcilation and the recognition that lives change other lives.



Lastly, the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, Samir Sumaidaie, translates for one of the women delegates from Iraq. Her words are right in line with the appreciation of the Iraqi people.

Labels: iraq war

We mentioned this effort earlier in the week but it bears repeating.

As Gov. Romney declared in Israel earlier this week. The murmurings among lawmakers trying to abandon the cause in Iraq at this stage would be "folly".

In that spirit, we ask that you sign the NRSC pledge

Labels: iraq war, pledge, senate