http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/02/rumsfeld-rejects-obama-claim-troop-requests-denied-afghanistan/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r3:c0.066990:b29168612:z10
Updated December 02, 2009
Rumsfeld Cries Foul on Obama Claim Troop Requests for Afghanistan Were Denied
FOXNews.com
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday lashed out at President Obama for claiming the Bush administration rebuffed commanders' repeated requests for more troops in Afghanistan.
...
The president leveled the charge in his speech Tuesday night outlining his plan to send 30,000 more U.S. troops into Afghanistan.
In his speech, Obama gave a detailed history of the Afghanistan war starting with the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks. He argued that the Iraq war drew needed resources away from Afghanistan, allowing the situation to deteriorate since 2003.
"Throughout this period, our troop levels in Afghanistan remained a fraction of what they were in Iraq," Obama said. "Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these reinforcements did not arrive."
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs explained Wednesday that Obama was referring to requests that came in during 2008, and suggested Rumsfeld was on thin ice with his criticism.
"I will let Secretary Rumsfeld explain ... whether he thinks that the effort in Afghanistan was sufficiently resourced during his tenure as secretary of defense," he said.
But if Obama were referring to the 2008 period, he would seem to have been pointing the finger at his own secretary of defense, Robert Gates, who served in the same position in the previous administration.
Rumsfeld said in his statement the White House should make public any such requests if they exist to back up the allegation.
"The president's assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan," Rumsfeld said.
He urged Congress to review the claim in the upcoming debate to "determine exactly what requests were made, who made them, and where and why in the chain of command they were denied."
Unlike former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rumsfeld has kept largely out of the public eye since leaving the administration after the 2006 mid-term elections in which Republicans suffered huge losses, largely the result of setbacks in the Iraq war.
Originally posted by zeeblebotSo, according to Rumsfeld, U.S. men and women serve - and some of them die - in combat partly in order to protect their Defence Secretary's political reputation, then and in the future?
Rumsfeld said:
"The president's assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan".
He urged Congress to review the claim in the upcoming debate to "determine exactly what requests were made, who made them, and where and why in the chain of co ...[text shortened]... in which Republicans suffered huge losses, largely the result of setbacks in the Iraq war.
Originally posted by zeeblebotPresumably in a press release but it may have been a verbal statement to a journalist. The cut and paste above is not specific and I don't feel it's necessary to go and find out. The pertinent sentences are in the OP.
where did he say that?
Originally posted by FMFSo, i understand you to be saying that it is a good thing when Indonesian men and women die in earthquakes.
Presumably in a press release but it may have been a verbal statement to a journalist. The cut and paste above is not specific and I don't feel it's necessary to go and find out. The pertinent sentences are in the OP.
Why would you express such a boogie-eyed opinion ? Astonishing ! Why do you say these things ?
GRANNY.
Originally posted by smw6869I recall that statement as well. I dont know why he would come down on his fellow country men like that.Quite cold actually. Why would you say such a thing FMF?
So, i understand you to be saying that it is a good thing when Indonesian men and women die in earthquakes.
Why would you express such a boogie-eyed opinion ? Astonishing ! Why do you say these things ?
GRANNY.
Originally posted by zeeblebotIt'll be interesting to see how much support Rumsfeld gets from the military. I get the impression he is not thought of highly and certainly history is not going to treat him well.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/12/02/rumsfeld-rejects-obama-claim-troop-requests-denied-afghanistan/?loomia_ow=t0:s0:a16:g2:r3:c0.066990:b29168612:z10
Updated December 02, 2009
Rumsfeld Cries Foul on Obama Claim Troop Requests for Afghanistan Were Denied
FOXNews.com
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Wednesday lashed out at Preside ...[text shortened]... ch Republicans suffered huge losses, largely the result of setbacks in the Iraq war.
As for citing deaths in the battlefield as reasons for not changing a policy, or as in this case, to hide from - or smear - reflection, disgreement and criticism, it rather reminds me of whichever Republican it was that stood up in a Senate debate and claimed Clinton's fib-about-the-blow-job was "a betrayal of all the brave Americans who died on D-Day".
Originally posted by FMFwhy do you have the impression he is not thought of highly?
It'll be interesting to see how much support Rumsfeld gets from the military. I get the impression he is not thought of highly and certainly history is not going to treat him well.
As for citing deaths in the battlefield as reasons for not changing a policy, or as in this case, to hide from - or smear - reflection, disgreement and criticism, it rather reminds ...[text shortened]... nton's fib-about-the-blow-job was "a betrayal of all the brave Americans who died on D-Day".
Originally posted by FMFSo, according to you Rumsfeld started WWII ? Don't know where you got that kooky idea, but i'd like to hear your boogie nosed explanation. This must mean that he started Korea, Vetnum,and the bay of pigs also.
It'll be interesting to see how much support Rumsfeld gets from the military. I get the impression he is not thought of highly and certainly history is not going to treat him well.
As for citing deaths in the battlefield as reasons for not changing a policy, or as in this case, to hide from - or smear - reflection, disgreement and criticism, it rather reminds ...[text shortened]... nton's fib-about-the-blow-job was "a betrayal of all the brave Americans who died on D-Day".
GRANNY.
Originally posted by utherpendragonA decade of following the news and reading stuff. It's just an impression. I think what Rumsfeld wanted to do with the military - the shake-up and reconfiguration he was attempting - was interesting and certainly was tied in heavily to a rethink about 21stC asymmetrical warfare etc. etc. The too-low-troop-levels in both Iraq and Afghanistan most likely resulted from his 'role & order of battle transformation ideology'. But the two wars may have not been the right lab to test it. He certainly had to step on toes and bend a few noses out of shape at the Pentagon. You could track Rumsfeld across bare mountains by simply following the retired brass! The military occupation of Iraq was a disaster (Yes, I know, that can be debated) and because of his hands on modus, the buck certainly stops with Rumsfeld. All in all it is my impression that Rumsfeld's departure was not mourned.
why do you have the impression he is not thought of highly?
Originally posted by smw6869Yeah, it's not the first time I hear such outlandish statements from him.
So, i understand you to be saying that it is a good thing when Indonesian men and women die in earthquakes.
Why would you express such a boogie-eyed opinion ? Astonishing ! Why do you say these things ?
GRANNY.
Maybe he cravez attention like most trolls.
Originally posted by FMFyour posts are jumbled enough as it is. now we should go by a jumbled recollection? how many years old is this recollection?
Presumably in a press release but it may have been a verbal statement to a journalist. The cut and paste above is not specific and I don't feel it's necessary to go and find out. The pertinent sentences are in the OP.