Admiral Mullen
Statement by the McCain Campaign
ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, McCain 2008 Senior Foreign Policy Advisor Randy Scheunemann issued the following statement:
"Barack Obama has said repeatedly that, if elected President, he would summon the Joint Chiefs of Staff and give them a new mission: get all U.S. forces out of Iraq within 16 months, regardless of the conditions on the ground. Today, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Admiral Mike Mullen, the nation's highest ranking officer, made clear that he believes such an approach could be 'very dangerous.' Admiral Mullen further added that his view is shared by U.S. commanders in Iraq, who are 'adamant about continuing progress, about making decisions based on what's actually happening in the battle space.' Barack Obama says he wants a 'safe and responsible' withdrawal from Iraq, but is stubbornly adhering to an unconditional withdrawal that places politics above the advice of our military commanders, the success of our troops, and the security of the American people. Barack Obama is wrong to advocate withdrawal at any cost just as he was wrong to oppose the surge that has put victory within reach. It is a strategy for defeat, and it is the only strategy Barack Obama has ever supported."
Udate: Video of Mullen:Timetable for withdrawal is Dangerous
»
- Nelsa's blog
- Login or register to post comments
America's top military officer, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, Admiral Mike Mullen, said yesterday that he opposes a timetable for withdrawing U.S. Forces from Iraq. He made the statement during a Press Conference at the Pentagon. This puts both possible Democratic nominees at clear odds with the best wisdom of those leading our military.
As the campaign moves forward, John McCain will provide a clear choice for Americans to support U.S. Service men and women AND their mission not just with words, but with action.
The top U.S. military officer said Wednesday the Pentagon will follow whatever decisions the next president makes about U.S. troop levels in Iraq but he remains opposed to a timetable for withdrawing forces.
Asked if commanders who believe conditions in Iraq should govern troops cuts could accept a new policy, change course and move on, Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and a key war adviser to the president, said yes.
He told reporters at a Pentagon press conference that he does not favor any rapid withdrawal from Iraq that could jeopardize security improvements there.
"I am against a timetable," he said. "I think a precipitous withdrawal, any withdrawal which puts us into a situation where we sacrifice the gains in Iraq, where Iraq falls apart in that part of the world is something that would concern me greatly." read more »
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mullen issued a warning to Democratic Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton on their plans for a rapid withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Iraq. He issued the warning in answer to a question today on what the Joint Chiefs are doing to prepare for the possibility that America will elect a President who will order a rapid withdrawal from Iraq. His answer was honest and sobering:
ABC News' Jonathan Karl Reports: The Joint Chiefs chairman has a word of warning to Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton: A rapid of withdrawal from Iraq would lead to a "chaotic situation" and would "turnaround the gains we have achieved, and struggled to achieve, and turn them around overnight.
Admiral Mullen's comments came in a response to a question about what the Joint Chiefs are doing to prepare for a new president, given that two of the candidates have called for a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.
"We need to be prepared across the board for what a new president will bring," Mullen said. "I do worry about a rapid withdrawal. . . [that would] turn around the gains we have achieved and struggled to achieve and turn them around overnight." read more »
»
- brianinmo's blog
- Login or register to post comments
