Just In Time To Save McCain's Ass: Petraeus to cut troops by Fall (NOVEMBER)

[berni_mccoy]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080523/ap_on_go_co/petraeus_confirmation;_ylt=Ak8lHxtC27zF.ve3JrdhwyWs0NUE

WASHINGTON - Gen. David Petraeus said Thursday he is likely to recommend further troop reductions in Iraq but won't promise more details until fall — timing that plunges the four-star Army general into the heart of this year's presidential elections.

The fall assessment would come at a critical time in both American and Iraqi politics. U.S. voters likely will be deciding between a GOP candidate committed to keeping troops in Iraq as long as Petraeus and other ground commanders say is necessary, and a Democratic challenger who supports the immediate withdrawal of forces.

At the same time, Iraq will be headed into its much-anticipated provincial elections, which U.S. officials have described as a crucial step in building national reconciliation by increasing participation by the Sunni minority.

[AlCzervik]

1. notice he won't give #'s. Even if they bring home 30,000 of the "Surge troops"

there will still be more troops in iraq than before the surge, like 170,000 right?

[berni_mccoy]

2. I'm not positive, but I think they are at 150 right now. I think it would be a false carrot-stick

for the voters. Make them think you are wrapping it up to lessen the Democratic case against the war.

[AlCzervik]

3. i think it has to be higher than 150K, i look for some numbers and get back to you.

[AlCzervik]

7. holy shit, not easy info to find unless i asked it wrong on google, anyhow as of 2007

there were approx. 160,000 us troops. i don't know how reliable this number since the artcle is a bit dated.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_3690000/newsid_3694400/3694495.stm

[Double T]

4. Say WHAT? Somebody pinch me and tell me this isn't an election year.

[jtrockville]

5. How sickening. How transparent.

[soothsayer]

6. won't happen. never happens.

[AuntPatsy]

8. Those who believe in McCain are nothing short of delusional and

cannot be helped at this point if they don't know better....for those constantly stating that McCain has a chance I say to them, "stop spouting the running rhetoric from the wingnuts" whose goal is nothing more than hoping if they continue to repeat something enough it will become fact for people even if they know it is nothing more than a lie...

Please Dur's, quit helping these liars, thieves and murderers by continually repeating such bs....you only aid in enabling the lies to continue....

[opihimoimoi]

9. These guys are known for their BS Lying...How can we TRUST Them? WE CAN'T

They have lied to us too often...the creds are Long Gone and the Peeps are PISSED...

Come, light the torches, sharpen the spears and pikes....get the pitch forks out...call for the fishmongers wives....storm the Bastille....

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. It's such an easy commute to Iran, right David?

[Breeze54]

11. Yeah.. cut from Iraq, transferred to Afghanistan

for their 5th and 6th tours!! :grr:


:eyes:

[berni_mccoy]

12. Morning kick

[bullwinkle428]

13. And yet there are a few here touting him as a possible VP choice for Obama...

:wtf: