Gen. Odom has the answer to "cut and run"

In the General Odom diary posted, he gave us the answer to Republican cries of "They don't have a plan, "cut and run" defeatocrats" on the democrat's solution for Iraq. And no, I'm not talking about impeachment.

At one point he said we should have offered an amendment for adding 600,000 more troops. He was right. That should be the democratic political strategy.

An "either/or strategy."  
Let's win, or let's get the hell out.
No more stay the course.
It's the draft, or redployment.

If we are going to remain in Iraq, as the republicans say we must, then let's win. Let's institute a draft and put 600,000 troops over there. If this is a fight to the death with terrorism, why aren't the republicans making sure we win?

If, we aren't willing to do that, then let's redeploy the troops. Stop building permanent bases and increasing terrorism. Let's start investing in allies to help us fight terrorism and rebuilding our reputation. An America, true to her ideals is a much better defense against terrorism, than one who's actions say democracy doesn't work when you are afraid.

I think Odom is right. We should be putting all our resources and people into this great war on terror, or we should be looking for a way out. Staying the course only means more of the same, and is no solution. If the republicans are really sincere about winning, they will have to back adding more troops.

Change the debate to more troops and the draft or redeployment. Redeployment will win, hands down.

•  Yes, Odom is right

  The Republicans accuse us of "cut and run." Screw that. I opt for: Impeach, then Bleach.

  by JuliaAnn on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 06:08:03 AM PDT

•  we'd make great progress

  If we could simply convince this administration that current policies are not working. Bush keeps shoveling coal into a run-away train. I'd support a Thai-like military coup at this point.

  by xjac on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 06:10:56 AM PDT

  •  Are you, like, out of your mind??

    "I'd support a Thai-like military coup at this point."
    I hope this is only hyperbole. This would be like curing a cold with a shot of malaria. Think this one through a little more

    by exlrrp on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 06:31:26 AM PDT

    •  It's possible I'm crazy

      Coup d'etat, coup d'etat!

      by xjac on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 01:31:53 PM PDT

•  I've said from day one

  that the smartest thing that Bush has done is not reinstate the draft.

  I avoided the draft in the late 60's ... I enlisted.  But I saw and participated in much of the Anti-war mobilizations most of which were founded because of the implications of the draft.  Any of you remember Kent State?

  I agree, reinstate the draft.

  by craigb on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 06:25:30 AM PDT

  •  but absolutely no one can get elected

    using the dreaded D word, even though it is a logical requirement of "Stay the course."

    Bush will be gone by the time it is necessary. He will just keep extending tours and requiring multiple tours until then.

    by grayday101 on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:08:32 AM PDT

    •  Yes Bush will have done

      what no other president or adversary has ever done before.  He will have destroyed our military, made us the scourge of all other nations, run us into debt and exported our means of production.  At the same time spearheaded or stood by while our environment was raped and our children's education denied.

      Our enemies couldn't do better with all of the WMDs and propaganda in the world.

      Bush IS diablo.

      by craigb on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 12:17:56 PM PDT

•  "What would it TAKE to win?"

  This is the message we need to get out before the election.  The implicit message in "stay the course" or "adapt" or whatever the rethug slogan is today, is that it is possible to win in Iraq if we just stay there.  We need to get the specifics out there: what would we actually have to do to "win"?  How many troops would it take?  How could we get those troops?

  The inescapable answers to those questions will be unacceptable to the vast majority of Americans.  Knowing them, they will not possibly be able to vote for the party that promises to stay in Iraq until we "win".

  by snazzzybird on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 06:58:15 AM PDT

  •  That is the question I think the democrats need

    to ask. Politically, make it look like the republicans don't want to win. They are not willing to to do what is necessary to really win. Either the WOT is a life or death situtation, worthy of all of our participation, or it isn't. That is the point we should be arguing with them. Turn the war, and their solution, back on them.

    by Sherri in TX on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:36:50 AM PDT

•  The only thing republicans want to win

  is elections.

  by axman on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:05:37 AM PDT

•  Clearly the Bush strategery is to have just

  enough troops to not win. This creats more apprehension on the part of the weak Repub followers, allowing them to continue voting against their own interests.

  by cabinetman1 on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:12:13 AM PDT

•  Plans, like the Feingold/Kerry, and Levin...

  Plans, like the Feingold/Kerry, and Levin amendments?

  The corporate owned MSM is fond of selling that Dems don't have a plan, but they are ignoring the truth.

  Are they that stupid, or are they lying?

  by Opinionated Ed on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:48:54 AM PDT

  •  What I'm saying is Kerry and Feingold

    should preface their plan with the either/or. "If the republicans really want to win, they would reinstitute the draft and put 600,000 troops on the ground." Since they are unwilling to do that, we should leave. Staying the course is not in the equation anymore. It becomes the draft or redeployment. Kerry/Feingold becomes the desired plan.

    by Sherri in TX on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 07:59:45 AM PDT

    •  I don't want to see...

      ... any Democrat pushing for a draft, or even implying that it is needed.

      I'd like to see an updated of either Feingold/Kerry or Levin pushed again, and I'd like to see a dem highlight the cost that we are spending on mercenaries, and how they are the presidents private army. I had written a diary on Blackwater about a month ago.

      by Opinionated Ed on Sat Sep 30, 2006 at 08:13:23 AM PDT