Romney on Iraq

Mitt Romney’s statement in advance of tonight’s speech by the president mostly hits the right notes in supporting an increase in troops in Baghdad, although you can see him straining to both embrace and distance himself from the Bush Administration from the opening line: “I agree with the President: Our strategy in Iraq must change.” But it also includes this head-scratcher: “Our military mission, for the first time, must include securing the civilian population from violence and terror.”
Now, I understand the argument that we have not done that adequately, but does Romney really believe we have not even been trying to protect the civilian population of Iraq from violence and terror? What exactly does he think 130,000 soldiers have been doing there for three and a half years?

11 thoughts on “Romney on Iraq”

  2. I think he’s referring to our tendency to take neighborhoods from the insurgents and then leave. That leaves the residents open to reprisals from any insurgents who return.
    A lot of talk these days is about taking ground and holding it, so it doesn’t seem to me he’s saying anything wildly divergent from the current conventional wisdom.
    BWTFDIK

  4. The really bad part is that he is portraying himself as the most Conservative candidate. We have to be able to do better or we are doomed to at least 4 years of liberal rule. It too Reagan over half of his time to recover from 4 years of Carter.

  5. Hmm, if you think that’s bad, check out Giuliani’s no-comment from yesterday (see link).
    (And before you kick at the source, they’re quoting the NY Post.)

  6. The only GOP 2008 choice with proven determination to win this thing is John McCain. As much as I disagree with him on a lot of issues (though not on the biggest bone of contention, immigration), McCain’s the man.

  7. John, no second act for Newt? I think McCain will be an interesting watch. He’s the frontrunner, playing to GOP primary voters. As such I expect the once friendly media to tear into him.

  8. While extremely poorly phrased, Romney puts his finger on the nub of the matter. Our military in Iraq has to take on constabulary duties as part of its mission.
    The New York Times this morning tells us that Bush is “flouting the advice of some of his own generals”.
    This is hardly suprising. The military, especially the Army, has alway considered police duty as outside its scope.
    Romney’s delivery makes him appear critical of Bush. His actual meaning puts him squarely in Bush’s camp.

  9. As I have stated before, if McCain in the nominee, I will be sitting this one out. No more pretenders, I want a Conservative and I don’t care what party they are from.

  10. This is from the President’s “previous assumptions” board for his speech: “Region has a strategic interest in the stabilization of Iraq.”
    Wow. Can you say delusional? Every American, regardless of politics, should be afraid.

Comments are closed.