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2007-02-08 Home Front: Politix

McCain Changes Course With Vote Against Casey Nomination

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Posted by ryuge 2007-02-08 07:52|| || Front Page|| [11130 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 Can we get some kind of grephic for whenever McCain grabs attention? Like some eyerolling or something?

Posted by Mike N. 2007-02-08 08:27|| 2007-02-08 08:27|| Front Page Top

#2 How about a large Snake Head?

Posted by Redneck Jim 2007-02-08 09:18|| 2007-02-08 09:18|| Front Page Top

#3 You think that Britney's "Oops..I did it again" would be too crass?

Posted by Procopius2k 2007-02-08 09:21|| 2007-02-08 09:21|| Front Page Top

#4 That's why I will never vote for McCain. He always goes with what he thinks will get him elected.

Goddamn RINO.

Posted by DarthVader">DarthVader 2007-02-08 09:28|| 2007-02-08 09:28|| Front Page Top

#5 Aside from the Anti-McCain comments, is he right or wrong? I have to agree a bit.

For his part, Casey argued that he didn't ask for more troops when the security situation began to worsen because he did not want to bring "one more American soldier than necessary" into Iraq.

Obviously he didn't have what was necessary. The main priority should be getting the job done and kicking ass, not 1/2 assing it. What happens in the future when in the next conflict we really do need to get more men and resources onto the field and he's timid about it because of the political environment. If there is no one better then I'll rest my case but he just doesn't seem dynamic enough to me.

Any thoughts?

Posted by Shaish Spaviting2771 2007-02-08 09:31|| 2007-02-08 09:31|| Front Page Top

#6 I hate to agree with McCain. It makes me question myself. But upon review in the booth, I agree, promoting Casey is a mistake, if for no other reason than it is rewarding failure, or at least the absence of success. A statement like 'he did not want to bring "one more American soldier than necessary"' indicates someone more interested in politics than victory. That's not good in a chief of staff. I had hoped Rumy had flushed more of these non-warrior generals out of the service.

Posted by Shaiter Thrick2337 2007-02-08 09:40|| 2007-02-08 09:40|| Front Page Top

#7 How about trying to change the rules of engagement to allow our troops to kill the enemy instead of making a police action? You could have a million troops in there, but with the insane ROE, would you make better progress, other than give the enemy more targets?

Posted by Alaska Paul">Alaska Paul 2007-02-08 09:57|| 2007-02-08 09:57|| Front Page Top

#8 Sounds all very good in theory, but who's gonna allow changing the ROE?

If you can't do that, then I wouldn't just sit there with my hands in my pockets.

How many IEDs are planted in places that our troops already cleared out? What's the point when you giving back the area to the enemy in a few hours.

Yeah sure someone's gonna snipe at you when you have more troops on the ground, but if your with a small force your not going to have as much coordination you need to pinpoint them and keep the area secure.

I believe elite small killing forces are great for invasions but not for holding large areas.

Also there is the fatigue factor of having the same elite guys run all over town when more troops can relieve some of the stress.

Posted by Shaish Spaviting2771 2007-02-08 10:17|| 2007-02-08 10:17|| Front Page Top

#9 It sounded to me like President Bush allowed changing the ROE in January. Had the commander in Iraq argued more aggressively for the need, pacification would now be much further advanced. Methinks Senator McCain needs to remain in the Senate, where sometimes he can do much good by his posturing.

Posted by trailing wife 2007-02-08 11:02|| 2007-02-08 11:02|| Front Page Top

#10 Who was it that said that the bad general's best friend was Rummy? The talking head said that after Rummy left, then people would begin to focus on who was actually doing badly on the ground, rather than blaming it all on Rummy in D.C.

Posted by whatadeal 2007-02-08 11:33|| 2007-02-08 11:33|| Front Page Top

#11 I agree. McCain isn't a great presidential candidate. He doesn't inspire me at all, but he's good to have as a balance in the Senate.

Posted by Shaish Spaviting2771 2007-02-08 11:33|| 2007-02-08 11:33|| Front Page Top

#12 Sometimes you see people promoted to a position where they cannot do any harm. Perhaps, McCain needs to consider the promotion from that viewpoint.

Posted by TomAnon 2007-02-08 12:08|| 2007-02-08 12:08|| Front Page Top

#13 McCain's silence on the underwar torture story speaks volumes to me about his character. An actual - honest to God torture victim in the Hanoi Hilton, I'll bet he prayed for pair of panties on his head and an embarrasing photograph when the vietnames guards were beating him bloody with a bamboo cane. As I recall from a Reader's Digest condensed version - one of his guards showed great compasion by letting him soak in water before pulling off his blood caked garments and tearing open the wounds.
John McCain said nothing about abu gharaib and proved to me he is simply a political beast now, and concerned only with what may grant him higher office.

Posted by Rob06">Rob06 2007-02-08 12:11|| 2007-02-08 12:11|| Front Page Top

#14 McCain should retire.

Posted by Rob Crawford">Rob Crawford 2007-02-08 12:16|| http://www.kloognome.com/]">[http://www.kloognome.com/] 2007-02-08 12:16|| Front Page Top

#15 This one is tough, McCain needs to retire, but then so does Kennedy and most of the old guard. I'm not a big fan of Casey either and as far as being able to do damage COS facilitates and is a provider, he won't be fighting any more wars. His ability to do damage is limited, at least they did not nominate Cody for the job!

Posted by 49 Pan">49 Pan 2007-02-08 14:26|| 2007-02-08 14:26|| Front Page Top

#16 Power Line had an interesting take on this - that Casey would primarily be responsible for recruiting, training, and logistics, and not much else as CS, and therefore would be relegated to an administrative role. I don't know how much to trust that judgment. As for McCain, I don't trust him to brush his teeth in the morning, much less with anything else, including a Senate seat. I would never vote for him as president. If the choice was between him and hillary, I'd vote for the libertarian candidate. He strikes me more as a snake-oil salesman than a weasel, but that's just me.

Posted by Old Patriot">Old Patriot 2007-02-08 14:57|| http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/]">[http://oldpatriot.blogspot.com/] 2007-02-08 14:57|| Front Page Top

#17 Weasel works.

Posted by Ebbang Uluque6305 2007-02-08 15:27|| 2007-02-08 15:27|| Front Page Top

#18 I love this place (Rantburg). Two sides (or more) of an issue discussed / debated. Well reasoned discourse and opinion.

Posted by Mark Z">Mark Z 2007-02-08 16:05|| 2007-02-08 16:05|| Front Page Top

#19 Yep, Casey would be a war provider, the cincs at centcom, socom, etc are the war fighters.

Posted by Broadhead6 2007-02-08 20:38|| 2007-02-08 20:38|| Front Page Top

#20 Ah A weasel Graphic, Good as a snake head anyday.

Posted by Redneck Jim 2007-02-08 21:23|| 2007-02-08 21:23|| Front Page Top

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