Mitt Romney responds to Bush plan for Iraq
http://desmoinesregister….S/61220034/1001
“I support the work the president has been carrying out to talk to people who have first-hand contact with troops at the front level and generals at the front level,” said Romney, a Republican taking steps toward running for president. “And I look to the president to lay out options for our nation.”
“We’re not going to turn around and walk out of Iraq. That would be a mistake,” he added. “I support the very general idea of following the lead of the Department of Defense and the president’s administration that have the input of the generals on the front line.”
Read the rest of the story at the DesMoinesRegister.com.
Kevin Davis Jr.
Technorati Tags: Mitt Romney, 2008, Presidential Election, Election 2008.
December 20th, 2006 at 3:09 pm
Toting the Bush line in Iraq. No alternative plan for success. Just toting the line. It may work now, but as 2008 gets closer, Romney may have to make a decision to call for a pullout or come up with a totally different strategic vision. Iraq will again be a major issue (if not the major issue) in ‘08.
December 20th, 2006 at 4:18 pm
Agreed,
A rubberstamp on Bush’s approach in Iraq could be a big hurdle for Mitt. I’m surprised the Romney campaign hasn’t tried to present alternative approaches to Iraq, given the overwhelming lack of support for the war as reflected in the recent elections.
December 20th, 2006 at 5:47 pm
What ever public support is for this war, I think listening to the Generals and leaders that are there in Iraq is the best approach.
December 20th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
I agree with Joe. Taking a position that will undercut the President’s credibility while at the same time establishing a record that can come back to bite him would be foolish. After all is said and done, if we don’t prevail in Iraq an economy in shambles will be the least of our worries.
December 20th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
I agree too, however Romney can only play this game through ‘07. Going into ‘08 will be when Iraq will be really scrutinize and do you think Republicans will stand pat and allow for greater electoral defeats in ‘08 because of this war (that is if it’s not going well)? I don’t think so! So at that point will Romney call for a pullout? Or will he look to try as someone else said, burnish his ability to turn things around and come up with a new strategy?
December 21st, 2006 at 8:34 am
Ohiomudphud,
Romney taking your suggested alternative approach simply to be different, or worse, to distance himself from the President–isnt’ that really the McCain approach? And it won’t get him too far politically. As for the suggestion that Romney should offer alternative plans for Iraq: Pray tell, what alternatives are there? I mean, Iraq is a political and diplomatic nightmare. If Romney presently has the genuis to suggest a viable alternative to resolving the Iraq problem then the election is over for 2008 and Romney need not spend another dime on the campaign.
I will shown all the emperor’s new clothes: Iraq: There simply is no viable option for escape there. We may wish all we can for that magic bullet, but it doesn’t exist. Our enemies see our disunity and are encouraged to continue the fight (same as Vietnam, really). The only true solution is American unity and that will be more difficult than finding the elusive bin Laden. Romney can only make suggestions to “tweak” current policy, but wholesale changes simply don’t exist.
December 21st, 2006 at 11:21 am
Mitt, step it up. You are the ‘turn-around kid!’ Of all politicians today, you ought to be able to see the lack of success and be the one to roll up your sleaves and clean up the mess! I believe Bush did what he thought was right, we didn’t underestimate Iraqi insurgents, we underestimated Iran and Syria’s ability to escalate the crisis. Mitt should support one more massive troop infusion — give it 12-18 months, then get the hell out. If there is only chaos after we leave, so be it. Mistakes were made, as they always are in war, but quit making the same mistakes over and over at the expense of our men and women spilling their blood for a largely ungrateful country. If any politician can pull us out of the mess, I really believe it’s Mitt, but he can’t continue to toe the Party line if he wants to become the Republican nominee, let alone the President.