Newt Gingrich on Iraq
Townhall.com
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich’s comments at USD and reported below in the linked Argus Union Leader were taken out of context. On Gingrich’s website, his position is clarified:
Gingrich’s position of Iraq has been consistent and clear:
1. The decision by Paul Bremer to go from a liberation model to an occupation model in June 2003 was a major mistake (Gingrich first said this publicly in December 2003).
2. The United States needs to train the Iraqis as rapidly as possible and “pull back” from the cities to bases and air fields and serve as reinforcers as opposed to occupiers (this position is outlined in today’s WSJ as the official policy).
3. The United States is likely to need to keep some forces in Iraq for a very long time (Gingrich has been saying this as far back in 2003).
The news report that sparked this:
VERMILLION - Newt Gingrich, the former Republican Speaker of the House, told students and faculty at the University of South Dakota Monday that the United States should pull out of Iraq and leave a small force there, just as it did post-war in Korea and Germany.
“It was an enormous mistake for us to try to occupy that country after June of 2003,” Gingrich said during a question-and-answer session at the school. “We have to pull back, and we have to recognize it.”
The relevant links are at Townhall.com.
World War III?
Brokered Convention Watch
Bill Loses It
Poll: Dems not favored on Iraq
McCain criticizes Obama on Iraq