General Eisenhower (Supreme Commander,
Allied Expeditionary Force): "There has been significant but uneven security
progress in the Ardennes. As of the end of December 1944, our casualties
have been reduced substantially . . . . The situation in certain areas is
still unsatisfactory, and innumerable challenges remain. Moreover, as events
in the past two weeks have reminded us, and as I have repeatedly cautioned,
the progress made since last spring is fragile and reversible."
Senator John McCain, (R-Ariz.): "We're no
longer staring into the abyss of defeat and we can now look ahead to the
genuine prospect of success . . . . I do not want to keep our troops in
France a minute longer than necessary to secure our interests there. Our
goal, my goal, is a France that no longer needs American troops. And I
believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine."
Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY): "For the past four
years, we have continually heard from the administration that things are
getting better, that we're about to turn a corner, that there is finally a
resolution in sight. Yet each time, our allies fail to deliver. I think it's
time to begin an orderly process of withdrawing our troops, start rebuilding
our military, and focusing on the challenges posed in the Pacific."
Senator Barack Obama (D-Ill.): "Nobody's asking
for a precipitous withdrawal, but I do think that it has to be a measured
but increased pressure, and a diplomatic surge that includes Germany.
Because if France can tolerate as normal neighbor-to-neighbor relations with
Germany, then we should be talking to them as well. I do not believe we're
going to be able to stabilize the situation without them."
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When this same committee grilled General Petraeus last year, Senator McCain
delivered the most concise summary of what these hearings are all about. It
still holds:
"General Petraeus and his troops ask just two things of us: the time to
continue this strategy, and the support they need to carry out their
mission. They must have both."
Or has that become too much ask of this America? We shall see.
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