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Monday, September 10, 2007
Stick with Petraeus
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Based on a letter to his troops before engaging Congress on progress in the Iraqi phase of the war on terrorism, Gen. David Petraeus reported that violence in the country has diminished in eight of the last 11 weeks. But he expressed disappointment in progress toward political reconciliation.
Indications are, too, that he is agreeable to some slight reduction in troops, by perhaps 5,000 by next spring. “This is a delicate balance to be struck,” said one unnamed senior administration official. “If you do it too quickly, you endanger the gains you have made.”
U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Az.), meanwhile, says Democrats have lost momentum in their attempt to set an arbitrary withdrawal timeline. “They’ve lost the momentum, otherwise they wouldn’t want to sit down with Republicans and negotiate a solution,” said McCain. “The facts on the ground contradict the assertions of those who want to set a timetable for withdrawal.”
The question whether the report by General Petraeus will change any minds — in Congress or in the country? In Congress, no. But there’s hope for the country. Most of us are inclined to reject Osama bin Laden’s instructions to leave Iraq and convert to Islam. And we’re not willing to embrace defeat. So we’ll stick with the commander in the field.
