Wes Clark on Iraq is put under the microscope by one of our favorites, Bull Moose. He points to this Washington Post piece by Clark where the former general and 2004 Presidential primary candidate notes that most Americans now feel the war is a mistake — but most don’t want an immediate withdrawal. Clark gives you his plan.
A key Clark quote:
On the military side, the vast effort underway to train an army must be matched by efforts to train police and local justices. Canada, France and Germany should be engaged to assist. Neighboring states should also provide observers and technical assistance. In military terms, striking at insurgents and terrorists is necessary but insufficient. Military and security operations must return primarily to the tried-and-true methods of counterinsurgency: winning the hearts and minds of the populace through civic action, small-scale economic development and positive daily interactions. Ten thousand Arab Americans with full language proficiency should be recruited to assist as interpreters. A better effort must be made to control jihadist infiltration into the country by a combination of outposts, patrols and reaction forces reinforced by high technology. Over time U.S. forces should be pulled back into reserve roles and phased out.
The growing chorus of voices demanding a pullout should seriously alarm the Bush administration, because President Bush and his team are repeating the failure of Vietnam: failing to craft a realistic and effective policy and instead simply demanding that the American people show resolve. Resolve isn’t enough to mend a flawed approach — or to save the lives of our troops. If the administration won’t adopt a winning strategy, then the American people will be justified in demanding that it bring our troops home.
Bullmoose writes in part:
Clark is a patriot. Even though he opposed the war, he understands that it would be a catastrophe if America was defeated in Iraq. As an anti-war voice, it is significant that he has taken a firm stand opposed to a timed withdrawal. His authority should slow the momentum within the Democratic Party to take such a position.
The Bush Administration would be well-served to reach out to such thoughtful critics such as General Clark. They won’t.
Indeed, this admininstration enjoys the reputation of being run by political pros but it is one of the least interested in winning over opponents in American history. It is truly astounding to see how it spurns people that might be co-opted to even awkwardly enter its tent.
LBJ used to have a saying about a foe: “It’s better to have him inside the tent pissing out, than outside the tent pissing in.”
This administration prefers to open its umbrellas and dare opponents to piss in.
That’s OK but it limits political base EXPANSION in the short — and long term. If the Democrats were more adept they could take advantage of it.