Edwards on Bush's Attempt to Blame the Military for his Own Miscalculation

[Nambe]

US Newswire

Vice Presidential Candidate John Edwards today released the following statement in response to President Bush's statement that the challenges we face in Iraq are a result of a "catastrophic success - being so successful so fast that an enemy that should have surrendered or been done in escaped and lived to fight another day:" (Time magazine, 8/29/04)

"President Bush now says his Iraq policy is a catastrophic success. He's half right. It was catastrophic to rush to war without a plan to win the peace. It was catastrophic to ignore the warnings of the military leadership about the risks of an unstable post-war Iraq. It was catastrophic to dismiss warnings of creating chaotic terrorists havens as today's New York Times accurately describes. And it was catastrophic to tell the American public that rebuilding Iraq would not burden the American taxpayers with a bill of $200 billion and rising.

"The most disturbing part of the president's statement is the suggestion that somehow our military is at fault for moving too fast before the enemy was 'done in.' Our troops fought magnificently in Iraq. Their efforts can only be described as an unqualified success. I didn't think 'shock and awe' was designed to move slowly.

"A Commander-in-Chief should never take our nation to war without a plan to win the peace. Real leadership means taking responsibility for your decisions good and bad. Our troops and our nation deserve better. ..


Very Good Voter’s Guide

[acmavm]

1. That's right, keep coming back at them everytime they open their mouths.

The fighting is just getting started. bush* was given the rope, now they're going to hang him with it. Kerry/Edwards just sat back and let the bush* administration wind it out til there was enough to hang 'em with.

Like Theresa said, he's most dangerous when backed into a corner. And Edwards is no slouch, much to my surprise. But then, I'm a Clark supporter who has found that I have absolutely no problems with the two men who were chosen.

I think that today is the day that marks the change in this campaign, and in the race for President of the United States.

[iamjoy]

2. I Love This Man!

John Edwards, that is.

Un-frickin-believable that Bush implied we won too quickly, like, duh, that was the point wasn't it?

I had my own doubts about Mr. Congeniality's attack dog capabilities, but it seems he can do okay.

[Mel]

4. that's what makes Edwards so beautiful

He's my Senator :) his Southern charm is top notch he can smile, kick your ass, and walk away before you even realize it. :thumbsup: Ahh, it was so nice to have him represent us for a while I was so embarrassed by Jesse Helms!

I remember watching John Edwards and Hillary Clinton during a judicial committee hearing she went in on the set up Edwards came after her with the Southern smack down it was beautiful! Pickerton didn't see it coming and he jammed his self!
Edwards and Clinton showed some fine teamwork that day!

[Skarbrowe]

5. I sat stunned in "shock and awe"

when I heard them blame the military for going into Iraq too quickly. That stupid military just made all those Iraqi soldiers run and hide to fight many, many other days. What COULD they have been thinking?

(Sarcasm ON on the stupid military comment..I'm a vet myself)

[lovuian]

3. Whoo Hoo Edwards Givem Hell

:bounce:

[MODemocrat]

6. I wondered when Kerry-Edwards would get enough of Bush

It seems they are beginning to counter-act a lot of the lies, and they're not going to just roll over anymore. Edwards is so masterful. :bounce: :bounce: :wow:

[PATRICK]

7. President unaware or forgetful too

Maybe he forgets how there was a dangerous period, many soldiers losing their lives, when the advance bogged down.

Or how the troops were so poorly supplied and not backed up that it was blitz or die? That the water and food were running out, the ammo short and advance units virtually "out there". That thanks to poor decisions at top this reedited war was launched willy nilly damn the torpedoes by the chickenhawks for no reason.

This is a twice stupid statement in that it was not "too fast" all but a bulling through to survive.

Then again ignorance of the war pours from the top like a black light with the president softly chirping Wolfie's glory songs to himself in his untroubled sleep.

[PATRICK]

8. Oh yeah- and the ORIGINAL plan

calling for a quick drop of very few troops. That was Wolfie's idea. Then the entire Hussein army would have been untouched but supposing falling on their knees to offer up thanks.

The WH original plan crushed only by loud opposition here would have been slow all right.

[Judi Lynn]

9. Kick!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Supersedeas]

10. Real leadership means taking responsibility....amen!!! (eom)

[spokanelaw]

11. Planning

There were plans in place which anticipated what we now face. DoD just ignored them. They thought that their Chalabi based "intelligence," predicting a rosy occupation, was the real deal.

[young_at_heart]

12. This needs to be said everywhere and often

The Dems have been playing "catch-up" and they MUST continue in this vein if they are going to sway the undecideds.

[renegade000]

13. it's 1984, just 20 years off schedule

eom

[Spiffarino]

14. Great Senator, now great VP candidate

He is doing a great job for Kerry! The only thing I hate is that he won't be my Senator next year :cry:

However, hope is not lost...Erskine is up in the polls!

[struggle4progress]

15. kick

:kick: