Democratic Candidates Offer Their Questions for Petraeus

3500 people and more than 50 Democratic congressional candidates have endorsed a Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq, a plan validated by retired Generals, national security experts, and profiled in both the Washington Post and Dailykos (and mentioned on This Week with George Stephanopoulos). This is a new power center rooted in Congress, within national security elites, and among activists that offers a responsible approach to national security in which the question is not whether the tactics of the surge are working but whether our presence in Iraq is making us more secure. I've been asking several of the Congressional candidates who endorse the plan what they would ask Petraeus were they in Congress. Here are some of their questions.

Darcy Burner, Democratic candidate for WA-08:

Gen. Petraeus, in March 2007, a few weeks after taking charge of U.S. military forces in Baghdad, you said, "There is no military solution to a problem like that in Iraq, to the insurgency of Iraq." More than a year later, rockets are still falling in the Green Zone and Iranian-backed Shiite militias are fighting each other for power in Baghdad and Basra. The political reconciliation the surge was intended to foster has not happened, nor has any significant diplomatic breakthrough been achieved. So, given that we agree that there is no military solution to the problems we face, is our costly open-ended military commitment to Iraq really making the Unted States safer?

Steve Novick, OR-Senate:

1) The hope of the surge was that it would create the space for political reconciliation and compromise in Iraq. But the Iraqi government and other power centers in the nation remains mired in disagreement with little real progress. Last week, it was the Iranians that reportedly brokered a truce between the Iraqi government and Sadr's Mahdi Army. The level of violence has settled back to 2005 levels. Where is the light at the end of the tunnel?

Jill Derby, NV-02:

"The question I would ask Gen. Petraeus is this: 'The Army is saying that more than 25 percent of soldiers on third or fourth tours suffer mental health problems and Army Chief Of Staff General Casey called the Army "out of balance." What are we doing to help our troops, vets and their families deal with these issues?'"

Donna Edwards, MD-04:

My first question for the General is: When are you prepared to discuss and implement a multi-tiered approach to Iraq that includes economic, diplomatic, and political options to bring stability and sustainable progress to Iraq? Has the war in Iraq made the United States safer? Is the current U.S. force level in Iraq covering up the lack of political progress in the country and isn't that troop level unsustainable? Doesn't the violence of the last several weeks demonstrate that the central government is weak and that the Iraqi forces are not trained or prepared to defend against the insurgents?

I believe "The Responsible Plan to End the War in Iraq" is a critical step in the right direction and is the kind of discussion we need to start having in Washington and across the country."

Bill O'Neill, OH-14:

"The question that needs to be asked is how is our current policy making us safer and why we wouldn't be better off spending that money to address problems at home?"

Don Wiviott, NM-03:

Has the War in Iraq actually made America safer?

What plans are in place to both get our troops out of Iraq and give the Iraqi army a chance to step up to the plate and protect their own country?

Since there is no military solution in Iraq, what steps are we taking to ensure Iraqi officials are working together and moving towards lasting political reconciliation?

The President and other top officials talk about winning the war. What criteria constitutes "winning" the war in Iraq? How will we know when we have "won"?

Leslie Byrne, Democratic candidate for VA-11:

General Petraeus: Since our National Security is at risk from a "broken military" according to many of your peers, how do you plan to salvage the military, given the lack of political and economic progress in Iraq, which after all you said was the purpose of the "Surge"?

Chellie Pingree, ME-01:

The number one question General Petraeus should have to answer is this: Has the war in Iraq made America safer?

Eric Massa (NY-29):

"General depending accounting used, this war will cost us from $2 - 3.5 trillion. Help me explain to my constituents why it is more important to rebuild Iraq and not rebuild America."

Alice Kryzan (NY-25) (in this video):

After five years in Iraq, are we really any safer?

Tim Cunha (FL-06):

When General David Petraeus and U. S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker meet with Congress Tuesday and Wednesday, Tim Cunha, Democratic 6th district congressional candidate, wants them asked: "Is the continued American involvement in the Iraq civil war making America safer?"

Steve Harrison, Democratic candidate for NY-13:

1. General do you believe advocating for a withdrawal from Iraq necessarily indicates either a lack of support for our troops, or a lack of patriotism?

2. General, troop withdrawal is a military operation. Given the current conditions in Iraq, in your expert opinion, what would be a reasonable time frame for complete withdrawal assuming the planning started tomorrow?

3..General, Prime Minister Maliki's surprising attack on the Sadr militia last week showed great weakness in the government's ability to provide security as well as weakness in the government's political ability to unite the country. It also showed great lack of judgment in the capabilities of his military. The Iraqi situation shows no signs of near term stability and it does not appear American military presence has facilitated that goal. In the absence of being able to meet that political goal, what other military goals, in your opinion justify American military presence in Iraq?

Richard Carter, NE-02 (who also sent this video):

"If the United States removed the combat forces in Iraq, would there be any direct threat to the United States? If any threat, what would it be and how could it be mitigated?"

Samm Simpson, FL-10:

In July of 2006, The Lancet, a British Medical Journal, estimated that over 600,000 Iraqis had been killed as a result of the invasion. According to Opinion Business Research, those estimates have risen to over 1 million dead. General Petraeus, how do you ascribe the term "victory" in these circumstances? Additionally, how do these deaths make America safer?

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Comments

[princessofnowt]

you know--- Ron Paul is still in the race.

Maybe we'd best take no chances here and get him up the roster.

[noamjunior]

My Question-
If I make up some shiny trophies for you and your boss, w, that say "congrats on winning in Iraq" - Then can our troops come home?

[goodneighbor420]

i would donate some tropies for this purpose! maybe a large olympic-like medal to place around their necks too??

[gevan]

My question would be: How many trillions of dollars is it appropriate for this country to borrow and throw down the apparent rat-hole you call Iraq before what you are doing actually makes this country less strong in the endless war an terror.

[bronceye]

A good question for the marianettes before congress-How is morale of our troops bolstered when they realise that their children and grandchildren will be fighting and dying in Iraq? We not only cannot win this war, we aren't even trying to win. Just protraction.

[MysticInd]

I would like to know General Petranus, if there is a coincidence with Sahr continuing the cease fire and Vice President Cheney Visit?

It would seem that the payments to the militias was the cause of the cease fire and not the surge. Then Cheney shows up and violence breaks out again. Did he tell them there would be no more money?

2nd Question. We know the White House is egging for a fight with Iran. How do we know that this new information i.e. missiles were from Iran and not propaganda of the White House. What has the White House told you to say to the American people?

If you are a Christian, how come you don't know it is wrong to kill others?

[JBL55]

I love this article, but I must take issue with one aspect of it:

One of the responders to the question is identified as "Chellie Pingree, ME-01." That is incorrect. Chellie Pingree is one of several candidates for ME-01.

Tom Allen is currently the representative of Maine's first congressional district. He is vying to replace Susan Collins in the Senate, but he is still our representative, and a damn fine one, too.

Please correct your article. Thanks!

[ForeignAffairs]

We need our members of Congress to ask tough questions of Petraeus that will very publicly reveal and confirm the futility, illegality, and craziness of Bush’s Iraq agenda:

Namely, how can “winning” this war protect us from terrorists?
How much access to Iraqi oil have we gained after five years of fighting?
Can Crocker and Petraeus detail U.S. violations of the Geneva Conventions and UN Charter in this war?
Why should we spend our blood and treasure to secure Iraq for benefit of Russian and Chinese oil interests?
Is it wise for us to borrow and spend so extravagantly in Iraq while our enemies wait for us to exhaust our reserves in this war of attrition?

It may help some members of Congress to walk through this process because many of them seem to prefer having an authority figure explain things to them, rather than doing their own research, trusting their own conscience, or listening to their constituents.

Furthermore, if Petraeus is willing to acknowledge these problems, it’s more likely to get media coverage than the quiet scribbling of a million antiwar bloggers.

One would hope that if the members of Congress are diligent in their questioning, and if Petraeus answers candidly, maybe there will be less support for the next Iraq War funding bill and more support for Darcy Burner’s Responsible Plan to End the War.

[bronceye]

2 questions-since it's nakedly clear that bush is only protracting the war until he retires, is that the General's intent, also, to continue killing until he, likewise, retires? Is this war doing any good for any Americans not profiting from it?

[Jason Abdon]

General Patreaus, you are a war criminal of the same calibur as Hess, Gerring and others. The majority of people that have died have probably been innocent. This has been a contrived war. A war mostly for profit! You have no conscience sir. If you did, you would have spoke against the mad man in the white house. We can dig up the proof of your crimes at any time. A million
Iraqi dead may have a few questions for you on judgement day but I have only one. The
Honorable Kenneth Galbreath wrote that the face of evil in Iraq was the face Saddam Hussein. I submit that there is a far greater face of evil in that land now. I think you have seen this face many times. Could you tell the American people who this is?

[BoulderSue]

I want to cry. The reruns are as bad as the first run, and that's exactly what it all looks like. I made the mistake of leaving the TV remote next to the bed and the last thing I watched last night was on C-SPAN, so the first thing I saw this A.M. was Gen. Petraeus when I clicked it on. No way to start the day. Please , folks, look up http://responsibleplan.com/plan. It has not been something that has gotten much play on the MSM (though before getting to this post I think I saw in another article on the Huff Post and need to go back to). You can read it-it's not long-and sign on. About 50 candidates for Congress have already signed on, including my candidate for House of Reps. Then call your candidate and ask him/her to sign on if they haven't already. When I get through here, I'll check to see if my Senatorial candidate has signed on, and if not, I'll get in touch to find out why not (he is my present Rep in the House).

[MagisterLudi]

"After serving early in the war as the insurgency's engine, the largely Sunni province seemed to have been tamed after the US helped turn tribal leaders against Al Qaeda in Iraq elements there."
This the way to speed up the withdrawal!
Model for faster Iraqi withdrawal: negotiate with (and bribe) those who are willing to negotiate, isolate ( and attempt to bribe) those who reluctant and kill (after attempting to bribe) those who actively oppose negotiations. Stay consistent and the next President will have an easier job of withdrawing,.

[GPRogueCowboy]

More Than 1,000 in Iraq’s Forces go AWOL during Basra 7 day Fight

The desertions in the heat of a major battle cast fresh doubt on the effectiveness of the American-trained Iraqi security forces. The White House has conditioned further withdrawals of American troops on the readiness of the Iraqi military and police.

A reported asked: "Who was in charge of training the Iraqi forces"?

Answer: "General Petraeus was in charge in 2004 and 2005"

What was General Petraeus' primary mission when assigned to Iraq in Feb. 2007?

Asnswer: General Petraeus's Primary Mission was to Secure Baghdad to allow the Iraqi Governemet a secure envirnment to pas key legislation. After Baghdad he was to expand the security outside Baghdad including the next largest cities of Basra and Mosel.

Status: The Iraqi Govenment has passed 5 of 18 key legislations.
last 2 weeks of hell

In June 2004,Petraeus was promoted to lieutenant general ( 2 Star ) and charged with the task of training the new Iraqi Army as commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq.

Petraeus returned to Iraq in February 2007 ( as a 4 Star General ) to lead the "SURGE". He commands 650,000 Allied and Iraqi Forces that are trying to "DEFEAT" 6000 Al Qaida Terrorists that want to come to the United States and KILL Americans.

Petraeus is scheduled to return to the US later this year with a PROMOTION to 5 Stars.

Jim Frego
Grants Pass, OR

[HighPlainsJoker]

Not that it matters, because your point is most cogent, but LT GEN is three stars, Major Gen is two, which is what Betrayus was at his training assignment.

There are no 5 star generals authorized presently in the US Army. One might project that like with Gen Pershing's phenomenal performance in defeating Poncho Villa, Betrayus may be given an exception, and promotoed to five stars. He should have been admired for his insight into the Iraq situation, it is not a war, it is more insurgency, and that got him two stars. What got him the other two was his ambition. Which at his level always means political ambition.

For what its worth, there are 20+ retired US military generals, most below 4 star level for reasons you might surmise from who gives Congressional testimony and who does not, that are outspoken against this war. As a retired US Army officer, I retain my pride in my service through them. And I support the troops. Give them the 21 Century GI BIll you hypocrites!!!

[MagisterLudi]

I would ask Petraeus:" Have you developed any possible withdrawal models?" Yes or No.

If Yes:"Can we see them in private as long as we promise not to leak them for personal political advantage?

[betz55]

I think Betrayus should have his medical insurance taken away, then his house foreclosed, then his pension removed. After his wife divorces, him he should be taken to the Green Zone, made to put on a t shirt and jeans and forced to walk out of the Green Zone into the streets of Baghdad where he will have to survive,on his own mind you, for a year, without aid from any military body. If he makes it through that year, upon his return, before he loses his job - he'll be told "funding" dried up, he should be made to testify about his experiences and grilled about the falsehoods, lies, and pathologically screwed up excuses he gave the American people about the war in Iraq. He should be asked why on earth are American taxpayers forced to give trillions of dollars to a war when our own people are homeless or soon to be, have no jobs, no healthcare and are going without everyday. Bush, Cheney, Rummy, Rice, Wolfowitz, Feith, Woolsey, Perle,Hadley, Wurmser, Natsios, Barlett, and especially Bolton should all be made to do the same thing, Bush to Anbar province, Cheney to Fallujah, Rummy well Rummy let's just throw him to the troops and let them tear him apart. These assholes should be made to disappear and never be allowed to practice their warmongering politics every again.

[MagisterLudi]

betz, before you begin to hyperventilate remember than Petraeus is a military general with limited objectives.
I actually commend him of having the balls of taking this practically impossible command.
It was the POLITICIANS who ordered the military in.

Now the military is asked to fix this FUBR situation created by dismal idiots in the White House.

Keep that in mind.

[HighPlainsJoker]

Magister Ludi:

There is the story of the British sailor who failed to secure his cannon during a sea battle, and caused great havoc until he jumped on deck, and with a rope secure the reeling cannon and saved the ship. He was decorated for bravery, than hung for dereliction of duty.

In the good general's place, I recommend the same (metaphorically). He is not telling the whole truth, and he has let himself be used by this administration, and he has done it for personal ambition, not for his country.

[PauCK]

I see multiple variations on the same question. "Is America safer as a result of our war in Iraq"

We are more at risk as a direct result. Iraq did not threaten America in the first place. Those lies were already uncovered.

As long as we remain we will be in more danger because our Military is being worn out, our treasury is being drained, our economy ( exept the oil / military contractors ) is faltering into recession and McBush is promising more of the same as reward for our efforts.

We are even lying to our own military hopefuls by promising medical care and education when they complete their tours of duty...these tours never seem to come to and end...and those who's tours have ended find the promises are largely empty lies. The word gets around and it will become harder and harder to convince citizens to join the military in the future. This could lead to a draft, then to civil riots similar to the Viet Nam era.

Our international reputation is being subverted and we are now perceived as being the bully aggressor on the planet, which makes us a bigger target for terror than before.

Our "war" against the people we "liberated" is taking us down a dark path which will take years to correct even if we start today. As long as we remain we can't even begin to heal the damage we have done to ourselves and the middle east.

[MagisterLudi]

"Iraq did not threaten America in the first place. "

Absolutely wrong. PauCK

Iraq actually supported US interests until Iraq chose to invade a neighboring weak country with lots of oil: Kuwait.
From that point on Iraq was a direct threat to the geo-political balance in the world and American interests.
Iraq HAD to be contained!
This was commonly decided by most of the world, including Arab states.
The way to contain Iraq was to: continue the embargo and sea blockade, UN inspections and protection of Kurds in the North and periodic cruise missile attacks. IT WORKED!