Bush Allies Question President's Failed Strategy in Iraq

Los Angeles Times, "Pace likely to call to cut troop levels across Iraq"

"Administration and military officials say Marine Gen. Peter Pace is likely to convey concerns by the Joint Chiefs that keeping well in excess of 100,000 troops in Iraq through 2008 will severely strain the military." [August 24, 2007]

Army Secretary Pete Geren

Associated Press

"We've got 550,000 soldiers that have deployed once, over 200,000 that have deployed multiple times. When you look at the stress on the force, you can't just look at the soldier you've got to look at the stress on the family as well. And the family is under tremendous pressure." [August 23, 2007]

Lt. Col. Richard Welch

McClatchy Newspapers, "U.S. military leaders: Iraq security effort hampered by lack of political progress"

"I think we tried to build the house before we built the foundation...[the current U.S. strategy is] four years overdue." [August 15, 2007]

Sen. John Warner (R-Va.)

Financial Times, "Top Republican says bring troops home"

"The Iraqi government under the leadership of prime minister [Nouri al-] Maliki have let our troops down... I think no clearer form of [message] than if the president were to announce on [September] the 15th that, in consultation with our senior military commanders, he's decided to initiate the first step in a withdrawal of our forces." [August 24, 2007]

Rep. Tom Davis, III (R-Va.)

The Politico, "Republican Suggests White House Will 'Tweak' Petraeus Report"

"I'm sure [the White House] will partially tweak [the September report on Iraq]...I think they'll try to tweak it." [August 23, 2007]

Rep. Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.)

Detroit Free Press, "Hoekstra says Iraq democracy strategy is doomed to fail"

"The U.S. effort to install a democracy in Iraq within three to five years was a flawed strategy with little chance of succeeding, U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra said Friday." [August 24, 2007]

Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colo.)

Coloradoan, "Musgrave admits she finds progress in Iraq discouraging"

"I'm discouraged." [August 23, 2007]