"Good Soldier Powell" Apparently Stays True To Bush's "Stay The Course" Philosophy

[JABBS]

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<snip>

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell told Bob Schieffer of CBS' Face The Nation of the Iraq War: "We are losing. We haven't lost."

How are we to feel about Powell? Some in the liberal blogosphere are cheering the above quote. But I remain unimpressed with "Good Soldier Powell."

But in truth, Powell is on the "stay the course" bandwagon. He's the loyal soldier.

[Sherman A1]

1. I disagree

Powell did not suggest "stay the course" at least in the version I watched. He supported the ISG's findings, did not support the "surge" without clearly defined objectives and reasoning. And I saw him speak here in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago. I believe he is greatly disappointed with Mr. Bush although he never came out at said same.

[JABBS]

3. he didn't use those words

but if you don't advocate more troops, and you don't advocate redeployment, and you basically say that we haven't lost yet but we will if we don't do a better job doing what we're doing, what does that leave you with?

[Sherman A1]

5. See post #4

[shain from kane]

2. He should have called a halt to the Viet Nam War after My Lai. I'm not saying

that he had the power to stop the entire war, but he could have raised holy hell to such an extent that something would have been done.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Lai_massacre




EDIT TO ADD REFERENCE.

[rollopollo]

4. Powell

My take on this is that he was being candid about the situation, something the Bush administration has not been: "I agree with the assessment of Mr. Baker and Mr. Hamilton. It’s grave and deteriorating. As Secretary-designate of Defense Bob Gates said at his confirmation hearing, we’re not winning. So it’s grave and deteriorating, and we’re not winning. We are losing. We haven’t lost."

Powell also said he didn't think that more soldiers would improve the situation. This is important because it seems now that that is the most likely next step, that Democrats also seem to be willing to go along with. The rationale that Bush (and even Reid) have used for additional troop deployment, is that the generals in the field are calling for it. In other words, defer to people with military judgment. For Powell, who has been Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff of the US military, to counter their claims and state that more troops will not help is likely the best counterbalance we have towards the possibility of expanding our presence in Iraq.

[newyawker99]

7. Hi rollopollo!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[JABBS]

8. that's true

but realize that "stay the course" means making no changes. powell doesn't want to increase troops, he doesn't want to decrease troops. he wants to finish the job, as is, even though as is isn't working.

[az chela]

6. This from the prick that went on national tv and said Iraq had

WMD's and convinced everyone he was telling the truth as we all thought he was such an honorable man.He is a digrace to his uniform and his country