Former U.N. envoy Holbrooke: Start bringing troops home

CNN ^ | February 24, 2007 | AP

[RDTF]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush should follow British Prime Minister Tony Blair's lead and start withdrawing troops from Iraq, former U.N. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke said Saturday.

"Engaging in a broad-based diplomatic offensive, and beginning a redeployment of U.S. forces in Iraq, represents the best way to secure America's interests in the region and combat the serious threat of terrorist networks," Holbrooke, who served under President Clinton, said in the Democrats' weekly radio address.

Britain will withdraw about 1,600 troops in the coming months and aims to cut more by late summer. The announcement came as Bush is implementing his plan to send an additional 21,500 combat troops to Iraq.

"Like our allies, the Bush White House needs to acknowledge some unavoidable, if unpleasant, facts on the ground. Plain and simple, there are not, and never have been, enough troops in Iraq to accomplish the mission as stated by President Bush," Holbrooke said.

[Andy from Beaverton]

He would hate to see more of his terrorist friends get killed.

[libs_kma]

The day I start listening to anything Holbrooke has to say will be one helluva cold day in Satan world.

[Thrownatbirth]

Even the lefties are tired of Holbrooke.

[darkwing104]

Just means we are succeeding...

[Chi-townChief]

I get the impression that Holbrooke is one of the dumbest SOBs you'd ever meet.

[mkjessup]

We'll put down Holbrooke as one of Jack Murtha's 'Cut n' Run' brothers-in-arms.

"I've got those Cut n' Run Blues
those silly Cut n' Run Blues
When insurgents fire their guns,
That's when I'm on the run,
I've got those Cut n' Run Blues,
Those yellow stain, Jack Murtha,
Cut N' Run BLUES!"

w/thanks to "Yellow Stain Blues" from the 'Caine Mutiny' ;)

[dodger]

Clintonista Dick Holbrooke, he who brought us the 'brief' decade-plus engagement in the Balkans (HELPING ISLAMOFASCISTS) now advises early retreat in Iraq. Well, well ....

[jimfree]

The withdrawal of troops from Basra does not mandate the same approach in Baghdad. Holbrooke is a dunce or a hack, or both.

[Rembrandt]

Who is next in line to plead for withdrawal of U.S. troops?
~~~
Hi, my name is Monica Lewinsky and I serviced Bill Clinton. I just know, really, really know, that the right thing to do is to bring all them sojers home right now!!

[srmorton]

Someone should have told him that we will start withdrawing troops from Iraq when the last member of the US military leaves Bosnia. BTW, wasn't that situation a civil war - a sectarian conflict like the liberals are so against us having anything to do with in Iraq?

[zarf]

These guys must have transmitters in their fillings that channel Dem talking points.

It's a ballet of posturing and preening all choreographed from the DNC surrender help desk.

[WilliamofCarmichael]

Why do Bush Administration officials respond to this "thousand cuts" stratagem of the Rats (formerly the traditional, patriotic Democratic Party)?

The issue is not the issue. Issues are weapons.

The issue and the only issue is the Rats' New Left 1960s, "Bring it all down, man."

[goldstategop]

I'd like to see Dick Holbrooke and the Democrats work on bringing U.S troops home from the Balkans where they've been a decade. Then we can discuss bringing home the troops from Iraq.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Wally_Kalbacken]

When we want your opinion, Dick, we'll ask for it.

[Prost1]

Why can't we just shoot these traitors?

And the news folks that support this treason?

I think we made a mistake in killing Zarqawi.
We should have turned these people over to him.
They would learn, in their remaining moments, what
terror is all about.

[NickatNite2003]

Holbrooke was an abysmal failure
as an ambassador, and even now,
wallows in the incompetence of
his myopic and craven conclusions.

[MadIvan]

He doesn't understand the nature of the British withdrawal. The South is much more stable than Baghdad. It'd be like removing police from South Central LA because the Napa Valley is peaceful.

Regards, Ivan

[Phlap]

When the democrats take the White house, they can retreat. In the mean time political considerations should be for the party. Winning should be the objective.

[Phlap]

Plain and simple, there are not, and never have been, enough troops in Iraq to accomplish the mission as stated by President Bush," Holbrooke said.

Then send more. Restart the draft if need be. Get at it and win. Don't give us retreat.