Gates Cancels Trip as Criticism of Iraq War Mounts

[TexasLawyer]

Source: Bloomberg

Gates Cancels Trip as Criticism of Iraq War Mounts

By Nadine Elsibai and Dan Hart

July 8 (Bloomberg) -- Defense Secretary Robert Gates today canceled a visit to Latin America amid mounting criticism of the Bush administration's policy in Iraq.

Gates was due to leave tomorrow on a four-day trip to El Salvador, Colombia, Peru and Chile. The trip was rescheduled so he can participate in policy meetings in advance of a report to Congress July 15 on the results of President George W. Bush's decision to add 30,000 troops to help the Baghdad government meet a series of goals designed to ease sectarian violence.

The Washington Post, citing unnamed senior officials, reported today that those goals won't be met; the New York Times, in a 1,700-word editorial, said the U.S. military should begin leaving Iraq as soon as possible; and congressional Republicans, on television news shows, continued to voice dissatisfaction with the course of the war.

"There's no conceivable way" the Iraq government can meet the benchmarks, Indiana Senator Richard Lugar, ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said on ``Late Edition'' on CNN. ``We have no good options in Iraq now; there are no good options,'' Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, also a member of the foreign relations panel, said on NBC's ``Meet the Press."

<snip>

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aNUBCb1AdOow&refer=home

[thereismore]

1. Gates is one, and maybe the only one, member of this maladministration,

that I have some respect for.

[Hulk]

2. I would love to see the chimp on the road...

I am never so happy as when our own little Hitler is on the road, being shown by the world just how much they love him. The pig lives in a glass bubble inside the WH, and he honestly thinks he is some sort of god that is "spreading democracy" and saving the world from the "evil doers" (world's dumbest slogan!).

I am THRILLED when he is on the road and gets a chance to see, first hand, just what the world thinks of his disgusting pressence. He is a pig, and he deserves every rotten apple thrown at his car. When he can't be on the road, I am nearly as thrilled to see kindasleezy or darth on the road, getting their just desserts.

[Roy]

3. Policy meeting = craft talking points laying the blame on liberals...

for the latest failure and wasted lives.

Maybe they can say Reid and Pelosi is to blame, cuz they should have cut off funds thereby preventing the surge.

[cliss]

4. Well, well. The heat is on

and they are in the frying pan. The number of Repugs bailing on Bush is now becoming an issue. There are more and more rats climbing out on the railing. They see what's up ahead: a shipwreck.

They want to save their own miserable asses in the next election, so they're bailing on Bush & Iraq.

This is going to be an interesting week.:smoke:

[bdamomma]

9. that is what it is all about

the weasels that are up for re election, they are just watching out for themselves.

[rodeodance]

5. Try to look to the good of the nation-----not just to save your butts!

[Judi Lynn]

6. Gates Cancels Latin America Trip

Gates Cancels Latin America Trip
Associated Press | July 09, 2007

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates scrapped plans to go on a four-nation tour of Latin America this week and will instead stay home to attend meetings on Iraq, the Pentagon announced Sunday.

The meetings are related to a progress report on Iraq that is due to be delivered to Congress by July 15.

Congress mandated the preliminary report and required it to be followed by another one in September. The report's findings could add to the pressure to end the war or change strategies.
(snip)

Gates' trip was to have included meetings with defense and political leaders in El Salvador, Columbia, Peru and Chile. He will travel to the region at an unspecified later date, the Pentagon said in a statement.

More:
http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,141659,00.html

[Scooter24]

7. Funny... July 15 is also the reported date that the Iraq Government

will seek a vote of no-confidence in it's leader. How ironic would it be to hear a speech by Gates outlining how great things are in Iraq only to have it shadowed by the no-confidence vote.

I know I will be intently watching the news on July 15.

[Tesla]

8. Everyone stay outa small planes that day.....