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DallasNE

(8,009 posts)

18. McCain Should Address His Surge Question To al Sadr

Thu Jan 31, 2013, 02:15 PM

Jan 2013

The surge was not going well until al Sadr decided to unilaterally stand down his forces. Once al Sadr stood down his forces the surge was no longer needed, if it ever was. Only al Sadr can answer the question as to why he decided to stand down his forces. Was it a strategic decision that the best way to get the Americans to leave was to stand down or a tactical decision that his forces were getting ripped up by the surge. Indeed, did Iran call this shot because they so wanted American ground troops out of the region. Since we don't know the answer to these questions we cannot answer yes or no to McCain's question and surely even he knows that. Hagel also had valid points about how the surge detracted from our efforts in Afghanistan and the cost in blood and treasure for the surge were very significant.

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Highlight:

Chuck Hagel to McCain: Surge This [View all] bigtree Jan 2013 OP

Tough old bird BeyondGeography Jan 2013 #1

Hagel is still a senator jberryhill Jan 2013 #2

How is Hagel still a Senator? Former, yes. Still, no. Bluenorthwest Jan 2013 #5

having an opinion on Bush and his conduct in Iraq isn't restricted bigtree Jan 2013 #13

I think they actually are on opposite sides. pangaia Jan 2013 #47

Very disrespectful of McCain towards a fellow Senator. nick of time Jan 2013 #3

classless kardonb Feb 2013 #94

I grow to hate McCain more each day. He was so RUDE to Hagel -- gateley Jan 2013 #4

He's a hateful, bitter old man who cannot get over the fact that he lost an election. Liberal_Stalwart71 Jan 2013 #11

to that "boy" no less. ChairmanAgnostic Jan 2013 #30

I just tuned about 10 minutes ago. Sugarcoated Jan 2013 #6

McCain is very transparent Sugarcoated Jan 2013 #7

It was very apparent that McCain... vduhr Feb 2013 #77

They just seem to want to get talking points out of these nominees. Thav Jan 2013 #8

We are so lucky that we have Barack Obama for our President then John McCain. amandabeech Jan 2013 #9

McCain still a bitter loser? abelenkpe Jan 2013 #10

Perhaps McCain is still bitter because he has never been asked to be in Obama's administration? djean111 Jan 2013 #12

You'd make a great Senator. I'm the president's "base", and I have never felt "offended" by him. Tarheel_Dem Jan 2013 #16

Oh, excuse me. Some of his base. djean111 Jan 2013 #17

Further proof that you'd make an excellent politician. More ridiculous rhetoric. I know a few..... Tarheel_Dem Jan 2013 #38

They may be small in number, but like the teabaggers they are loud as fuck emulatorloo Jan 2013 #45

Keepin' it real is what I'm all about. Tarheel_Dem Feb 2013 #78

Way to stick up for poor ol' Rahm. truebluegreen Jan 2013 #56

You certainly don't matter to me. And way to "stick up" for a newbie who throws around terms like.. Tarheel_Dem Feb 2013 #79

Gosh, I guess you missed the part where truebluegreen Feb 2013 #82

And perhaps you should speak to someone who gives a shit. Later! Tarheel_Dem Feb 2013 #83

Spoken like a good corporatist DINO. truebluegreen Feb 2013 #88

This used to be the right place, before it became Libertarian/Green/Justice/Uber Leftist Underground Tarheel_Dem Feb 2013 #89

"Am not!" "Are too!" "Oh, HUH!" truebluegreen Feb 2013 #90

Well, you have to admit you left the door wide open! Tarheel_Dem Feb 2013 #95

2001 here. Are YOU in the right place? DisgustipatedinCA Feb 2013 #92

Actually, this one agrees with Rahm DisgustipatedinCA Feb 2013 #91

That had become obvious... truebluegreen Feb 2013 #93

Welcome to DU. truebluegreen Jan 2013 #57

IT's a possibility, King_Klonopin Feb 2013 #96

Thank you. djean111 Feb 2013 #97

I get what you meant now.. King_Klonopin Feb 2013 #98

I second that! Hear! Hear! eom BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #32

Or McCain is a bitter ol fuck because he lost the Presidency to Barack Cha Jan 2013 #19

with mckook, it's always about mckook spanone Jan 2013 #14

Good for Hagel Jack Rabbit Jan 2013 #15

McCain Should Address His Surge Question To al Sadr DallasNE Jan 2013 #18

interesting bigtree Jan 2013 #20

Thank you for this. I never knew this! BlueCaliDem Jan 2013 #36

I don't know why they ever tolerated Muqtada al Sadr and his shenanigans as much as they did Victor_c3 Feb 2013 #72

Randi Rhodes just said that the "surge" wasn't what did it; it was the $250 million a year... SunSeeker Feb 2013 #84

Its fun to watch an Iraq war WMD cheerleader lecture some one else on the use of our Military. JoePhilly Jan 2013 #21

hardly a cheerleader bigtree Jan 2013 #23

I was referring to McCain who JoePhilly Jan 2013 #25

oh, that rat bastard bigtree Jan 2013 #29

Listening to McCain and Graham discuss foreign policy and the use of our military JoePhilly Jan 2013 #34

They seem to think getting shot down and tortured automatically = military expert. Downtown Hound Jan 2013 #37

those two represent the pinnacle of foreign policy expertise in their party bigtree Jan 2013 #41

Don't watch her.. pangaia Jan 2013 #49

If you are looking for entertainment on news listen to someone like liar Rush or insanity. Thinkingabout Feb 2013 #81

About time someone stood up to the badgering for a simplistic "yes or no" answer MNBrewer Jan 2013 #22

Alas, Mr McCain, Ian Iam Jan 2013 #24

Thank you Sen. McCain for your choice in a Veep candidate! Zambero Jan 2013 #31

.... the utter ridiculousness of the GOP opposing a GOP'er for a Military-esque position ... Myrina Jan 2013 #26

The surge did not work except in the most cosmetic of fashions... Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #27

what does that mean "in the most cosmetic Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2013 #51

The surge Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #53

Well, Hagel could have obfuscated and said that which you quote Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2013 #54

I think Hagel Sekhmets Daughter Jan 2013 #55

I could be wrong but I think truebluegreen Jan 2013 #58

hmm. McCain said it like Hagel was referring to the surge. I had better read up Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2013 #60

I could be mistaken, easily... truebluegreen Jan 2013 #61

All I know is these are the worst bags under the eyes I have ever seen Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2013 #62

Well, at least they're not purple... truebluegreen Jan 2013 #63

McCain should first explain... Zambero Jan 2013 #28

I can't believe the way both McCain and Graham talked to Hagel. PragmaticLiberal Jan 2013 #33

Hey John, you mean that surge that you had to Downtown Hound Jan 2013 #35

McCain sounded a lot like Joseph McCarthy and the HUAC hearings in the '50's......... mrmpa Jan 2013 #39

A question for Senator McCain... demwing Jan 2013 #40

McCain is again demonstrating why he was not fit for the Presidency. Dawson Leery Jan 2013 #42

What is the point? John2 Jan 2013 #43

The Answer Is Unknowable DallasNE Jan 2013 #44

McCain still thinks his "surge" rescued the Iraq War/occupation. hay rick Jan 2013 #46

I am so sick of John McCain. Go away old man. mountain grammy Jan 2013 #48

Well. Was it a blunder? I don't know enough about military strategy to know Laura PourMeADrink Jan 2013 #50

The surge either worked, or it did not hughee99 Feb 2013 #80

Surely Senator McCain's paternal grandfather and father, both heroic 4-star admirals, turn over in indepat Jan 2013 #52

+100 n/t truebluegreen Jan 2013 #59

LOL. They've been spinning since he crashed his first fighter. nt SunSeeker Feb 2013 #87

That was dirty of McCain. His intent was not to give Hagel a chance to explain. pacalo Feb 2013 #64

The surge ended because we started to bribe the Sunnis Poiuyt Feb 2013 #65

Correct, This Was Called The Awakening And DallasNE Feb 2013 #70

Here Are The Casualties By Year DallasNE Feb 2013 #71

Yes--to the tune of a quarter BILLION dollars a year (that we know about). SunSeeker Feb 2013 #85

This is classic political theater.... Spitfire of ATJ Feb 2013 #66

Hagel was at a trial, he wasn't at a confirmation hearing at all. TwilightGardener Feb 2013 #67

Actually, the headline was there are still idiots in power who think Iraq was great.... Spitfire of ATJ Feb 2013 #75

McCain isn't a tough old bird, but a senile one. cyclezealot Feb 2013 #68

The Awakening In Sunni Areas Of Iraq DallasNE Feb 2013 #69

Yeah, we "woke them up" with a quarter billion dollars a year in bribes to stop killing us. SunSeeker Feb 2013 #86

I think you missed the point... drynberg Feb 2013 #73

I agree with most all of you here after reading your comments davidpdx Feb 2013 #74

John's body language says it all. peace13 Feb 2013 #76