Bush has tried to
blame the failures in Iraq on "the generals." He says he gives them what they ask for. As if this was a military issue, instead of the incredibly complex political that it truly is. Now, Mark Shields on the
PBS News Hour is reporting that the highest miilitary authority is RECOMMENDING TO BUSH THAT THE US PULL OUT OF BAGHDAD.
MARK SHIELDS: All of the troops out of Baghdad, secure the road to the airport, secure the oil fields and the borders, and say that the pacification and the maintaining of order in Baghdad is the responsibility of the Iraqis. That is the recommendation of probably one of the most -- probably the most respected man in uniform today.
JIM LEHRER: You mean in uniform, serving on active duty today?
MARK SHIELDS: That's right.
MORE
JIM LEHRER: So who did he make this recommendation to?
MARK SHIELDS: He made it to the civilian leadership of the United States.
This is a blockbuster. I doubt that mild mannered Mark Shields made this up.
This undercuts Bush's irresponsible attitude toward iraq.
Right along Bush has subtlely blamed the generals for the military failures in Iraq, saying he gave them what they asked for. But everyone knows that Rumsfeld has intimidated the generals, just like Cheney intimidated the CIA into the bad intel before the war. Now perhaps "the generals" realize the trap Bush has put them in, and they are saying this is no longer something solveable by military force.
Bush may have to fish or cut bait, or face a major revolt by the military.