John McCain: I think the big difference between Iraq and Vietnam is that after we lost and withdrew from Vietnam, they didn’t wanna follow us home. I think it’s very clear if you read Bin Laden’s, ..., or ..., these other people, they wanna follow us home. They view Iraq as a stepping stone to America. So the dimensions of the conflict have changed dramatically. It’s eerie in a way. Some of the comparisons of the early stages of the Vietnam War and the strategy that was used in the Rumsfeld strategy, they were both failed strategies and they were very similar. And so on the ground that’s a little but eerie.
It was called “Search and Destroy”. In Vietnam they went out and killed bad guys and came back to base. That was what Rumsfeld was . . . strategy was doing before. Then we got General Abrams as the head of the military in Vietnam. And they went out and they . . . went out and they secured areas, and they stayed, and they allowed the normal life to begin. That’s the same thing that happened . . . that ... strategy in Vietnam under . . . in Iraq under General Petraeus. We go out, and we secure an area, and we patrol all the time with Iraqi military and we don’t leave. It caused an upsurge in casualties. They are now coming way back down because the strategy is succeeding. That happened with General Abrams too. In the Vietnam War, the people ran out of patience and demanded that we do nothing else, even though our troops had already withdrawn from Vietnam. In this war, the question is, “Will the Baghdad clock and the Washington clock be the same?” And that’s not clear to me, although we had beaten back the Democrats’ efforts to set the date for withdrawal a short a time ago as last week.
I think the other part, though, that is most heartening to me is America is very divided about this war; but none of us are divided in our support of the men and women who are serving in uniform. And unfortunately in the Vietnam War, it wasn’t like that. So I’m proud not only of these young men and woman who are serving because of the best of America; but I’m proud of America in that we are supporting these young men and women no matter how we feel about the war and whether it’s right or wrong. And I think it’s . . . It’s something that is very, very important, and one that I can’t tell you how much I appreciate.
Recorded on: 11/20/07
Discuss
Ryan Rice on January 17, 2008, 6:10 AM
We lost in Vietnam, yet we won the cold war and we now have trade relations with Vietnam. I don't understand the correlation that osama bin laden is looking at Iraq as a stepping stone. Mccain is saying if we pull out of Iraq Bin Laden is suddenly going to get on his raft and paddle over to the US and attack us. I'm pretty sure the ongoing fighting has more to do with Sunnis and Shia fighting for power rather than Bin Laden. Bin Laden is in Pakistan, if he's such a problem… why don't we get him?
Ryan Rice on January 17, 2008, 11:10 AM
We lost in Vietnam, yet we won the cold war and we now have trade relations with Vietnam. I don’t understand the correlation that osama bin laden is looking at Iraq as a stepping stone. Mccain is saying if we pull out of Iraq Bin Laden is suddenly going to get on his raft and paddle over to the US and attack us. I’m pretty sure the ongoing fighting has more to do with Sunnis and Shia fighting for power rather than Bin Laden. Bin Laden is in Pakistan, if he’s such a problem… why don’t we get him?
Tristan Heindl on January 21, 2008, 10:45 PM
Bush is buddies with the Binladen family. They are all part of the whitecollar buisness criminal family just like hilary. They alongside Osama are working toghether playing the world for fools. All the while knowing where to invest with the wars they create! This is the trash people keep electing into the oval office… Look at our choices Bush vs. Kerry both 322 skull and bones.
Mile Madarac on January 22, 2008, 1:16 AM
I agree with the Senator that the US should have nothing but pride for the efforts and sacrifice made by those serving their nation. As a member of the Defence Force for a member nation of the "Coalition of the Willing" (read the Goats who followed Bush), it heartens me that all nations continue to support their troops. The Senator is also correct in saying the policies are the same and have failed to work. It was also an immoral conflict to begin with and began under a cloud of a lie, which, when uncovered lost the most important thing, the support of the public.
Neither having a desire to enter into partisan politics, nor enter into the ethics of the US political system, I will just end on this note. Whether you follow the far left or the far right, remember, as a member of the public it is your responsibility to question your politicians until you are satisfied that what you are entering into is just and right. Once satisfied that it is me, and only then, enter into any conflict and throw your entire support behind it, for its the only way that victory can ever be achieved, both Iraq anb Vietnam have shown this.
Tristan Heindl on January 22, 2008, 3:45 AM
Bush is buddies with the Binladen family. They are all part of the whitecollar buisness criminal family just like hilary. They alongside Osama are working toghether playing the world for fools. All the while knowing where to invest with the wars they create! This is the trash people keep electing into the oval office… Look at our choices Bush vs. Kerry both 322 skull and bones.
Mile Madarac on January 22, 2008, 6:16 AM
I agree with the Senator that the US should have nothing but pride for the efforts and sacrifice made by those serving their nation. As a member of the Defence Force for a member nation of the “Coalition of the Willing” (read the Goats who followed Bush), it heartens me that all nations continue to support their troops. The Senator is also correct in saying the policies are the same and have failed to work. It was also an immoral conflict to begin with and began under a cloud of a lie, which, when uncovered lost the most important thing, the support of the public.
Neither having a desire to enter into partisan politics, nor enter into the ethics of the US political system, I will just end on this note. Whether you follow the far left or the far right, remember, as a member of the public it is your responsibility to question your politicians until you are satisfied that what you are entering into is just and right. Once satisfied that it is me, and only then, enter into any conflict and throw your entire support behind it, for its the only way that victory can ever be achieved, both Iraq anb Vietnam have shown this.
Henrik Petaisto on February 3, 2008, 2:11 PM
If you really care for our young men and women please bring them back home.
Henrik Petaisto on February 3, 2008, 7:11 PM
If you really care for our young men and women please bring them back home.
Add a Comment
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or Register