Former Secrtary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld responded to Barack Obama’s claims that US commanders were repeatedly refused support in Afghanistan.
The Weekly Standard Blog reported:
“In his speech to the nation last night, President Obama claimed that ‘Commanders in Afghanistan repeatedly asked for support to deal with the reemergence of the Taliban, but these reinforcements did not arrive.’ Such a bald misstatement, at least as it pertains to the period I served as Secretary of Defense, deserves a response.”
“I am not aware of a single request of that nature between 2001 and 2006. If any such requests occurred, ‘repeated’ or not, the White House should promptly make them public. The President’s assertion does a disservice to the truth and, in particular, to the thousands of men and women in uniform who have fought, served and sacrificed in Afghanistan.”
“In the interest of better understanding the President’s announcement last night, I suggest that the Congress review the President’s assertion in the forthcoming debate and determine exactly what requests were made, who made them, and where and why in the chain of command they were denied.”
It’s not the first time the Obama White House made this complaint.
And, it’s not the first time they’ve been corrected.
Stephen Hayes wrote this back in early November:
Perhaps more infuriating for Bush veterans was the suggestion by
Gibbs that the Bush administration ignored requests for more troops. It’s nonsense, they say. McKiernan wanted more troops–he asked for three additional brigades in the summer of 2008–but he understood that he could have them only when they became available. “McKiernan was making requests down the line,” says a Pentagon official, “and late in 2008 we did have the ability to commit more forces. So we did.” Indeed, Bush sent nearly 7,000 additional troops to Afghanistan before he left office, including one brigade that had been repurposed from Iraq.
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Published May 23, 2012 at 11:51 pm - 64 Comments
Just_Saying commented:
Since when does Obummer tell the truth? (NEVER)
.
AnnS commented:
Support Joe Wilson.
The absence of truth is a LIE
averagemelon commented:
We should be all getting used to the fact that everything that comes out of Obama’s mouth is a lie. I’ll wager very good money that he never sends the 30,000 troops he said he would.
Stu commented:
Everything that O says should be fact checked.
The Bush administration was a patriotic presidency for our troops and our country.
Does he not know that Bush is no longer a running mate for his presidency in failure? It’s very old blaming Bush for everything, It’s also very old of his self proclaimed I’m wonderful speeches and the derogatory speeches of our country.
Mike W commented:
Teh obamao has once again gone into the Chicago political playbook and came up with a drive by style plan for A-Stan. The difference being those driving by,our troops, wont be able to shoot at those sitting on their porches shooting at them.
wow commented:
He has never let the truth get in the way, so why start now?
shellie commented:
The only exit strategy worth knowing about:
http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2009/12/all-this-talk-of-exit-stretagy-has-got-me-thinking.html
Joanne commented:
Obama opens his mouth and all that comes forth are lies. He wants everyone to think that he is the only One who actually has listened to the military commanders and provided more troops at their request; the guy is an absolute slime ball. How much thought needs to go into providing more troops – five months worth?
gus commented:
Maybe Obama could provide proof of his claim.
Nah. There is none. This fraud/’man-child’ believes he can say anything and it will not be challenge. It won’t be challenged by the media.
We are left to believe that the big eared dope was actually a HAWK on Afghanistan. Where is any proof of that??
gus commented:
Obama never claimed that Bush denied the Military what they asked for during the campaign.
Why is that?
Obama seemed to have a plan during the campaign. Now HE denies what his military leaders are asking for. After having been elected 13 months ago. 13 months. Obama has dithered for 13 months. 13 mother fu@#ing months. And this cok sucking Muzztard has the balls to blame Bush.
Obama is filth.
non_dhimmie commented:
Gibby is saying Rumsfeld lied. Jake asked the question….
Jeff commented:
I will bet good money as well that some of the 30,000 count will be troops “replacing” existing troops. Think “created or saved” but in a military context. His logic will be that if he did “nothing” the troop levels would drop 10,000 over the next 6 month due to tours ending so by replacing them he will be “adding” to a shrinking baseline …
Kevin commented:
It’s not ‘bald’ faced. It’s ‘bold’ faced. WTH is a bald face?
nick commented:
I’m just glad to see Rumsfeld standing up for himself. The guy has been a punching bag ever since his “you go to war with the military you have” statement. I always found it funny that people criticized him for that when there was no other alternative. There’s always going to be better armor, better vehicles, better guns, better planes, etc. You have no choice but to make do with what resources you have and upgrade where it is most needed and economically feasible.
KR commented:
Bald-faced=Blatant, uncovered.
Scott commented:
Email for Chris Matthews is:
hardball at msnbc dot com
Here’s my email. I never have hoped for anyone to get fired before, but I do this time. I’m so sick of those elitist, pompous, self-important, America-hating twits.
Dear Mr: Matthews:
The young men and women being trained in our nation’s military academies are brave, courageous, and prepared to die to execute orders from their commander in chief. In fact, it’s probably a safe bet that some of the cadets President Obama addressed last night at West Point will die while serving their country. Those that do, will have made the ultimate scarifce. They will die as heros and with distinguished honor.
How could you possibly say the commander in chief is in “enemy camp” when he is delivering a speech to those brave cadets?
You disgust me. You’re a disgrace to all Americans who have ever served our country. And something tells me you’re a coward who never has.
Regards,
Mr. Anderson commented:
@Stu: You said – “It’s very old blaming Bush for everything…”
Come on now – what Obama is doing sucks but there were plenty of Republicans, including Cheney and Bush and most of the pundits, that blamed Clinton well into Bush’s second term
bman commented:
example please of Bush blamming Clinton for anything other than taking the W off of the computers.
Stacy commented:
Was o-bam’s purple lips moving??? Then he was lying. He can’t help it. It is part of his disease.
Arch commented:
If Obama has proof that Rumsfeld or Bush refused to provide the manpower or materiel his commander in Afghanistan requested, make it public. He and Gates certainly have access to all that correspondence. If it’s classified, Obama can declassify it. If he cannot produce the evidence after being called on it, he and Gibbs should retract the comments and apologize.
Sarge commented:
And if he DOESN”T have factual proof, start up the impeachment process.
Tired of the lies.
texmom commented:
#14, good point I hadn’t thought about. I think you are on to something. I can definitely see them being “creative” in how they come up with a 30,000 figure.
Gee, I am always suspicious of Obama, but you’re one step ahead of me:)
Benson commented:
With a win in 2010 consisting of taking back the Senate and House this is one of the things I want to happen.
Every time Obama makes a speech I want every lie corrected by the leader of the Senate and House. The main stream media will try to ignore it but word will get out even more readily than it does now.
They don’t need to be strident about it just go over each lie and debunk it every time Obama opens his mouth. It could even get Obama to stop giving daily speeches. Wouldn’t that be a relief.
jonyjoe101 commented:
Rumsfield is no better than obama, both are politicians.
Rumsfield liked to count the words on the letters his commanders sent him. His priority’s always revolved around his agenda.
The civilian military leadership is quite lacking in pushing this war to a victory.