White House Is Said to have ’08 Cut in Iraq Troops by 50%

[new101010]

WASHINGTON, May 25 — The Bush administration is developing what are described as concepts for reducing American combat forces in Iraq by as much as half next year, according to senior administration officials in the midst of the internal debate.

It is the first indication that growing political pressure is forcing the White House to turn its attention to what happens after the current troop increase runs its course.

The concepts call for a reduction in forces that could lower troop levels by the midst of the 2008 presidential election to roughly 100,000, from about 146,000, the latest available figure, which the military reported on May 1. They would also greatly scale back the mission that President Bush set for the American military when he ordered it in January to win back control of Baghdad and Anbar Province.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/26/washington/26strategy.html?ei=5065&en=693b2898aabb81e2&ex=1180756800&partner=MYWAY&pagewanted=print

[new101010]

1. I think this

could be big news

[tridim]

4. I think this is 100% pre-election year propaganda

Nothing more, nothing less.

[aquart]

6. Welcome to DU, you sweet innocent, you.

[fasttense]

2. Isn't that great

Crazy king george and his political party of criminals is going to cut back on the number of targets in Iraq. Fewer of our troops will die all because he and the cronies he rewards see an election coming in 08. So good of him to think of the troops dying and not voting in 08. Too bad the democratic party didn't think of this. :crazy:

[Buzz Clik]

3. Bullshit! Do not listen to what they say, watch what they do.

The two never match up. How many time will we be fooled?

[The_Casual_Observer]

5. Did I say cut? I meant increase!

[aquart]

7. Gonna have to cut. Won't be any soldiers left.

They're already using sailors and air force ground crew for street patrols. They've brought back PILOTS to retrain as TRUCK DRIVERS.

What's left?

[alfredo]

11. Kentucky guardsmen trained in artillery will be

escorting convoys.

[TheCowsCameHome]

8. Sure. Increase by 100%, then cut half of them. Big cutback, right? Duh.

How stupid is this country to believe that math?

[sallyseven]

9. By Sept the funds will be gone and they will all come home

[GreenTea]

10. Right before the elections to help republicans win! It's a bullshit lie & tactic

to keep the war for profit rolling right along and then pretending to ease down the troops protecting the oil in Iraq, to get more republicans elected. There has been 130K troops in Iraq for years...so what the fuck is the difference if they lower it by 30k to 100K? Bush's escalation will make it seems though it will be more than 30K with all the new build up...just more tactic to keep the profits rolling in and fool the American people again.

[Pyrzqxgl]

12. Sure, we'll get a troop reduction right before the election.

Gullible voters will elect a Republican, and then it's business as usual with another surge.

[butterfly77]

13. In the meantime, he will be rotating others back in...

and thus, we have the same numbers. Its all about the seats that they think they own or are entitled to they don't give a damn about the troops or us.