Sunday, I wrote an extensive report on Warner's inability to take a position on the troop surge, and in fact he actually suggested that rather than send 21,500 additional troops, we "only" send "a few thousand" more, something every single top military general agrees is a horrible idea! Despite that, it's now being rumored that Senator Warner may be ready to set forth a "compromise" proposal on Monday that does just what U.S. generals and Pentagon staff have warned NOT to do!!!
So let's review, on October 6, 2006, John Warner said the war in Iraq was "drifting sideways," and that if the situation hadn't turned around after three months, some bold decisions would have to be made by Congress. Then, following George Bush's speech on January 10 announcing the "surge", Warner said:
"I found the speech to be credible, and sincere that reflects a lot of study by the Executive Branch, and a lot of advice the President took into consideration."
Following that, last week Warner was reported to have told Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Peter Pace that instead of 21,500 troops, the U.S. should start with several thousand troops, saying:
"Shouldn't we walk a few steps along this line and then see how quickly -- hopefully -- the Iraqis begin to take up their responsibilities?"
Sorry John, but the time for that to happen has LONG since come to pass.
Now, CNN is reporting that Warner is set to introduce a "compromise resolution" on Monday that will presumably send about 5,000 troops instead of 21,500:
Warner, the influential ranking Republican on the Senate's Armed Services Committee, has so far avoided saying whether he agrees or disagrees with the president's plan, but is said to have been working behind the scenes for some time to build support for a compromise.
All of this despite nearly every single military official on the ground in Iraq and at the Pentagon warning that any troop surge, ESPECIALLY an extremely small one, will be disastrous.
Sorry Mr. Warner (and anyone else supporting this plan), but the REAL patriotic Americans are no longer willing to "compromise" when it comes to the safety of our troops and the well-being of our country. Furthermore, Virginia Democrats need to collectively get behind an effort to get this man out of office come 2008!!! There's no place for "moderates" when it comes to such serious issues as this.
[Cross posted at Daily Kos, and The Liberal Progressive!]
UPDATE: My apologies to those of you who may be having a hard time getting the links within the diary entry that go to my blog to work. Blogger seems to be having some problems tonight. Just try to force refresh and it should work. :-)