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Hagel: Begin Iraq withdrawal within 6 months

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Thursday, Aug 03, 2006 - 04:48:52 pm CDT

The United States needs to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within the next six months, Sen. Chuck Hagel said Thursday, rather than ratcheting up its military commitment now.

With Iraq exploding in sectarian violence and “moving closer and closer to a straight-out civil war,” Hagel said, the Bush administration’s decision to transfer nearly 5,000 additional U.S. troops into Baghdad is “only going to make it worse for us.”

In the end, he said, “feed(ing) more American troop fodder into the fight” could result in “even a worse defeat.”

Story Photo
Hagel

Iraqis are “going to have to step up” and assume responsibility for defense of their country, Hagel told a telephone news conference from Washington.

Hagel said he believes increasing U.S. troop strength in Iraq by extending military tours while cycling in new troops is a mistake.  

“Eventually, we need to start pulling people out of there,” said the Nebraska Republican, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

With violence “out of control” and militias in charge, Hagel said, U.S. troops increasingly are “seen as occupiers.”

If Iraqis themselves do not assume control of their country’s fate, he said, the nation may dissolve into a civil war that splits it into three countries. 

It’s also possible Iraq may evolve into some kind of Islamic republic, he said.

Asked what the United States could do, Hagel said: “Ask the president.  Ask Secretary (of Defense Donald) Rumsfeld.  They’re the ones who got us into this.”

Meanwhile, at a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Nebraska’s Democratic Sen. Ben Nelson questioned Rumsfeld about U.S. conditions for remaining in Iraq.

Nelson suggested a system of measurable goals to determine when Iraq’s government is capable of securing and stabilizing the country.

Rumsfeld told Nelson a committee has been established by U.S. officials with the Iraqi government to “address the very issues that you’re raising.”

In remarks addressed to Gen. John Abizaid,  the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, Nelson said he’d like to see an approach different from either setting a date for withdrawal or offering an open-ended U.S. commitment.

“Is there a tipping point in terms of their ability or inability to get to a certain level so that they can deal with sectarian violence on their own, or the Sunni insurgency, to govern themselves, but also to secure themselves?” Nelson asked.

A determinant would be the number of combat-capable Iraqi troops and trained Iraqi police, he said.

“I guess I would feel more comfortable if we could establish some sort of metrics to know what it takes in terms of percentage, numbers and what it would take in terms of time,” Nelson said.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or at dwalton@journalstar.com.

Nebraska National Guard troops in Iraq: 680, with 265 in training to go. In addition, an undetermined number of Nebraskans serve in Iraq in regular active duty military units or as reservists.


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HAGEL FOR PRESIDENT wrote on August 3, 2006 4:49 pm:
" the man has my vote. "

 Hemet wrote on August 3, 2006 4:52 pm:
" As usual, Hagel is the only voice of sanity coming out of Nebraska. "

 Phil wrote on August 3, 2006 5:06 pm:
" We need to start the process of removing Senator Hagel within the next six months. He sounds little different than the ravings of the lunatic John Murtha. I cannot believe this man fought in Vietnam. He advocates the same mistakes that plagued the end of that conflict, and resulted in millions of dead South Vietnamese and Cambodians. This is irrational and irresponsible of a U.S. Senator, and his interference only serves to bolster our enemies. How did we end up with this guy anyway? "

 Hagel lead? wrote on August 3, 2006 5:19 pm:
" Since Senate Intelligence has been provided with more robust information from our intelligence agencies, Hagel has a better understanding of conditons and strategic choices the administration hasn't acknowledged. But...as always...does he have political critical mass to move Congress and the nation? "

 Zoomie wrote on August 3, 2006 5:23 pm:
" Strange how those who actually fought in war, especially Vietnam, Democrat and Republican alike, all agree with the majority of Americans we need to get out of Iraq! Meanwhile, people who dodged service, or played soldier, pretend they actually have a clue what war is like! We got into Iraq on lies, our incompetent White House blew every opportunity to make something good out of it (other than shifting billions of our tax dollars to their friends at Halliburton and Bectel), and now they haven't a clue what to do! So they proclaim "Stay the course!", as though that were an actual strategy to accomplish anything (except get more Americans killed needlessly). Today the UK Guardian reports the retiring Brit Ambassador to Iraq has reported to Blair Iraq is collapsing into civil war, and its now impossible to stop. Republicans spent 20 years telling us government is incompetent; under their leadership, they've proven that to be true! "

 Thank you to Fortenberry, Nelson, wrote on August 3, 2006 5:26 pm:
" Osborne, and Terry. You are the strength of our delegation. "

 Dump Rummy wrote on August 3, 2006 5:40 pm:
" Troop redeployment makes sense, but a first action, by the President, would be to appoint a Defense Secretary who has a reputation of success, that is where tactical confidence must be won. Rumsfeld and Cheney are great at moving the propaganda machine...they were failures as war lords. "

 ljt wrote on August 3, 2006 5:48 pm:
" Remember it is Hagel not the litany of other Congress reps named below, who has access to information as a member of Select Intelligence. No pun intended...but the rest are left in the dark.......an information void can exist and not all members of Congress have the same facts. "

 stay the course? wrote on August 3, 2006 5:49 pm:
" It seems that Senator Hagel has had the vision on what has worked and not worked in the Iraqi conflict. The rest of our delegation seems stuck on the White House Mantra of "Stay the Course". The question is, what course? The fact is, if it looks and smells and acts like civil war. well then it probably is civil war. Thank you to Hagel for raising the question and demanding answers. "

 3rd District wrote on August 3, 2006 6:23 pm:
" Hagel's only "vision" is of himself being elected president, and that's why we hear him shooting his mouth off almost every day now. It has nothing to do with Senate Intelligence (an oxymoron if there ever was one) or his service in Viet Nam. "

 Darn right I'm a Democrat... wrote on August 3, 2006 7:01 pm:
" Senator Hagel makes a lot of sense in so many of his remarks. Is he really a Republican?? This is just another fine example. I'd vote for you, Senator. "

 Timmy wrote on August 3, 2006 7:06 pm:
" Confounded! Doesn't Hagel understand that he's threatening my manliness by putting a stop to sending other people's children to kill and be killed? What's going to happen to the magnetic yellow ribbon "support our troops" industry and all of the jobs it provides (i.e. I support the troops, but don't get crazy and expect me to jeopardize my car's finish with a real bumper sticker for it)? Sure, Hagel's maneuvering for President, and there's much that I disagree with him on. But, I at least respect that unlike almost everybody else in Congress, and certainly his party, he has had the courage to speak out on this misguided mission from the beginning (though his vote to authorize Bush's use of force was regrettable and wrong). Republicans and Democrats alike are so completely lacking in courage in every issue imaginable, except when it comes to going to bat for business interests and the wealthiest two percent of America, that the thought of being associated with either camp makes one feel a need to bathe with lice shampoo and take a rinse in bleach, all of the while knowing that nothing will wash away the sick feeling that you've sold your soul for nothing. "

 Wake Up Lincoln... wrote on August 3, 2006 7:12 pm:
" Hagel for President !! Let`s bring OUR TROOPS HOME!! I think WE all can agree that Pres. Bush has LOST HIS DAMN MIND !! Let`s get him out of office ASAP!! "

 Dan wrote on August 3, 2006 8:19 pm:
" So what events brought this announcment on all of a sudden? Oh yes Hagel hasn't had any TV or news paper time for a will. How about this Nelson and Rickets sentors from Nebraska. Hagel voted out. "

 Rod wrote on August 3, 2006 9:29 pm:
" I am not a Hagel fan, never have been and probably never will. But I can tell you this. At least he served in Viet Nam, unlike our beloved leader Lil Georgie Bush. His illustrious military career was in the Texas National Guard, which he served in ALABAMA campaigning for one of his fathers friends. And lets just remember one thing. You cant spell quagmire without IRAQ. It is way beyond time to get out. "

 Pah wrote on August 3, 2006 9:47 pm:
" It is quite stunning to see how the Journal Star on-line has been over-run by the Democrats and/or other left-wing manifestations. Hagel is an embarrassment. I know plenty of veterans who are having trouble holding their lunch when they hear Hagel speaking like this. He does not stand for victory in this war. He seems to have no comprehension of the threat we face, how utterly long this battle is going to be, nor does he appreciate the fact that so far we have been able to wage the war on foreign soil, rather than in our own cities. Hagel and those like him are dangerously ignorant. Hagel and those like him cannot seem to focus on the real enemy, because they hate the President and his cabinet with such blind fury. Hagel needs to go and just sit on some more boards of directors, and just get out of the US Senate, ASAP. "

 Tom wrote on August 3, 2006 9:50 pm:
" Hagel cannot retire/resign soon enough for me. I am so tired of his posturing to run for President. I will continue to support GW! "

 Winston wrote on August 3, 2006 10:44 pm:
" Even casual observers know (as does al Qaeda) our divisions are stretched thin and equipment is not at a state of readiness needed should Arab nationalism spread from Lebanon to Iraq and Iran. Senate approval of $13 billion for equipment repair is a fact ObL will have read about...or Islamic scholars will discuss. Hagel knows it is time to refortify and re energize. Iraq has been a failure from flawed planning. Denial has long plagued our soldiers, it must not damn our nation. We must be whole as a health and better manged force. Three years without securing Baghdad is a failure by the most generous of military standards. "

 Chuckie wrote on August 3, 2006 10:53 pm:
" I wish that Hagel was up for re-election this November. I'd take a leave of absence from my work in order to work the campaign of whoever is running against Hagel. I voted for him the first time but will work to have him voted out the second time. Time to kick his donkey out! He and Seng MUST go. "

 Doug wrote on August 4, 2006 5:35 am:
" Chucks latest vote on building the fence.... The three senators who voted against yesterday's fence amendment were Democrat Russ D. Feingold of Wisconsin, Republican Chuck Hagel of Nebraska and independent James M. Jeffords of Vermont. "

 TV Time wrote on August 4, 2006 5:51 am:
" You have to understand that Hagel isn't telegenic or charismatic, so the only way he can get on the Sunday morning TV talk shows is to criticize the current administration. When Hagel (a GOP Senator) supports the GOP administration, it isn't news, so no TV time in that case. He can't even get print mention in the LJS unless he does the "lone wolf" thing, so unless Hagel wants to abandon his delusion of becoming POTUS, he's got to to what he thinks he has to do in order to get noticed. "

 doug wrote on August 4, 2006 6:29 am:
" Where DID this guy come from? Who owned the company that creates the electric voting machines and has the secret computer code (protected by our court system as proprietary software) for counting votes? Get used to looking at this guy's face as your next President. It has already been predetermined. Did you know that our Legislature (Nebraska) has made it illegal to hand count votes in a contested election? They just stuff them back through the optical scanner for the computer to count again. Apparently two potential miscountings equal one accurate count. When it comes to vote counting, the opportunity for fraud destroys my confidence in our election outcomes as sure as fraud itself. Does your county election commissioner have the computer knowledge to determine if the software is working properly to count your vote? Not a chance. "

 Constitutionist; wrote on August 4, 2006 9:46 am:
" Chuck Hagel no longer represents the voters that elected him. He is following his own agenda. He has lost my vote as well as many other Nebraska Republicans. He is cut out of the same mold that produced John Kerry and Al Gore. "Switch Party's Chuck, we no longer want you"!! "

 Sam wrote on August 4, 2006 11:24 am:
" I wasn't here when ya all voted for Hagel, but I could see what a dud he was. The final STRAW was his unbusiness like manner with his arm around Heineman in front of Osborne at the primary snubbing Osborne and acting like a fool. In the beginning, he grabbed onto Dick Lugar,(IN) and has buttered his coat tails. Knowing Lugar personally, he was kind, but I could see he was tollerating Hagel. This is Hagel's pattern, to butter up who every can get him where he wants to go, i.e. President. Lugar is a very smart man and a Rhodes Scholar and very good judgement, and people in Lugar country has seen Hagel's demenor. Which unfortunately, was another Nebraska joke along with Nebraska's high taxes and more that I had to endure when living there. If anybody would vote for Hagel for Pres. you'll wish Bush or Clinton was back. "

 Hank wrote on August 4, 2006 11:28 am:
" The various responses to Hagel, ranging from the very supportive to the most hostile, reflect one inevitable consequence of Bush's poorly planned and completely unjustified war in Iraq: a clash between people's feeling of patriotism and the observed realities in Iraq. Many people feel they should "support the troops" without question, others observe the deterioration of Iraq into a hostile and radical religious regime and question why our administration has our troops still in Iraq killing and getting killed. I would like to remind all the self-proclaimed patriots who question Hagel's motives and sanity that true patriotism does not imply subservience to our government. Please note that we have caused, and continue to cause, an awful lot of death and suffering in Iraq without any good outcome in sight. Thankfully, at least Hagel is willing to think about the issue and not just blindly and obstinately urge more of the same. "

 George wrote on August 4, 2006 11:40 am:
" You are right on track Chuck. You are indeed one of the few voices of sanity from the lemming like Republican representatives in congress. It is somewhat reassuring that at least one Republican is not willing to go over the cliff with George Bush. "

 betty wrote on August 4, 2006 12:17 pm:
" I commend Senator Hagel for speaking out, not that it will make a difference. Speaking to Rumsfield who I swear has dementia is like talking to a wall. Hes waiting for the weather to change for the violence to subside so he told the Committee. What a freaking horror show that was. "

 Gene Ehle wrote on August 4, 2006 1:23 pm:
" I agree with Senator Hagel and he is the only Republican I would seriously condider voting for in 2008. I am a life time Democrat and have been very impressed with the Senator for the last couple of years. As a veteran and father of eight, we need his type of leadership. "

 kellie wrote on August 4, 2006 1:37 pm:
" Asked what the United States could do, Hagel said: “Ask the president. Ask Secretary (of Defense Donald) Rumsfeld. They’re the ones who got us into this.” But, But...What about my three years worth of form letters from you, Mr. Hagel, that say we simply must "stay the course and support the president"? Some of us knew this was a mistake from the beginning. Why didn't you? A smidgen of intelligence and a glimmer of competence in our elected officals would be nice. "

 Phil wrote on August 4, 2006 1:46 pm:
" Don Rumsfeld is the perfect man for the job he has. He is no nonsense, and is not prone to hysterial reactioneering like the pitiful Democratic Senators are (and our own Chuck Hagel). It used to be, that a good slap across the face would brings someone to her senses (as seen in the movies). Perhaps Hillary and Chuck should sign up for a face slapping session. They might snap out of their hysteria and become good Senators. (yeah right). "

 Kathleen wrote on August 4, 2006 1:59 pm:
" Well, excuse me folks, but now that we have a freely elected gov't in Iraq, isn't it up to Iraq when we need to pack it up and ship out? Within days of Das Bush's Drop In visit to the Green Zone in June, Iraq leader Maliki requested that the UN Security Council extend its authorization for US Troops to be in Iraq, another 6 months. Then the newly elected leader presented the Iraqi Peace Plan with Sunni promising to lay down their arms, if the US withdrew its troops within two years. We rejected that plan, so perhaps their newly elected gov't is now saying, No More Extensions from the UN Security Council, 6 months and you're out of here. I say, Mission Accomplished, Goodbye and goodluck , my fellow freedom lovers. "

 Nancy wrote on August 4, 2006 3:23 pm:
" Chuck, keep telling it like it is. Don't let yourself be "Slime Boated" by those for whom "Support the Troops" is just a bumper sticker. Too many so-called Republicans scream "Support the Troops" until the troops, which you once were, come home, run for office and dare to criticize anything about George Bush and his handling of the Iraq quagmire. Keep keeping it real -- keep telling the truth. "

 Kenneth H. Zike wrote on August 4, 2006 3:57 pm:
" Senator Hagel, "want to be President at any cost Hagel", is at it again. He along with the anti war, hate President Bush, crowd are willing to give our enemies a cheap victory, Yes the Hezbala, are our enemies, they hate anything and anyone who do not believe in their god.. The Jewish nation is doing us a favor fighting them over there. The cut and run, dont stay and fight, group over here has earned our military a reputation, the United States has no stomach, lacks endurance and always runs. Now, Senator Hagel, wants us to do it again. The politicians have seen to it since Korea, we never h achieved a war victory. The politicians get us in to a war, after we are involved in fighting it, the politicians make it a politicial issue and, the military has to put their tails between their legs and run. Hagel knows first hand what it feels like to see friends die in combat, and have some poltician come over to the area of operations for a photo opp, to get their name in the paper. He does'nt have any remorse for his conduct and actions.. I am ashamed for him, more ashame that he's from Nebraska.. . He has let his desire to be President rob him of his, honor, and common sense. He constantly finds fault and publicly spouts off his estimation of the situation. His out cry is for the sole purpose to get his name in the media. Hagel you will never be President of this nation. Its takes an honorable man to achieve such a great office. You have lost yours. We here in the Third District made a mistake helping him get elected. We will correct that mistake in the next election. We will elect a real Republican. To all you anti war nuts, When the American haters, are here in our streets blowing up our water sources, our electrical distribution centers, and sending their holy warriors, religious nuts, in to our schools with explosive belts to kill our children. Will you want to cut and run, ?? where will you run ?? ?? "

 Holy Zikes I mean Yikes! wrote on August 4, 2006 4:34 pm:
" Is there a bonifide canidate in either party. Why is our government so morally bankrupt. Hagel ang Hillary in 2008. "

 Francis wrote on August 4, 2006 5:18 pm:
" Hagel is right. We can't continue to sacrifice youth for this mess in Iraq. Already our troops have done everything asked of them. Saddam is gone. A government is in place. Iraq is "free." What more can our troops do? They have done so much already. Someone like Hagel has to speak up and admit that "stay the course" is NOT WORKING. I'm tired of fellow Republicans who simply refuse to admit this. I'm tired of so many fellow Republicans putting party before country and blaming dissent on political ambitions of critics. you never heard the words of Murrow: "We were not descended from fearful men." I will not live my life in fear of terrorists, regardless of where they are in the world. I love my country, and I will continue to live as my forefathers and the founders of this country intended. I'm not so willing to toss away the freedoms they created for us in return for so-called "safety." "

 Dale wrote on August 4, 2006 6:12 pm:
" What's wrong Chuck, haven't got the staying power and feel a need to pander to the left and join the Cut and Run Howard Dean and John Murtha crowd? Think of it this way, Iraq has millions of kids, and you would leave them dangling to be slaughtered by Shiites and abandon the Bush strategy which is NOW currently interfering with the establsihment of an Islamofascists Axis from Lebanon to India? Wow on you Chuck! I guess you need to read your pre WWII history so that you can understand what Islamofascism is all about.Winston Churchill would be laughing you out of town! And now you are on the wrong side of history, but I suppose that doesn't matter as long as you get re-elected on the pander. Our country needs men of principle Chuck, and now you must go! "

 fred wrote on August 4, 2006 7:08 pm:
" wow! I love what organized religion + oil can do to our great planet. that is all this war is about, religion and oil. amazing how little we've progressed since our ancestors from ancient greece and the roman empire. "

 Audrey wrote on August 4, 2006 7:41 pm:
" Looking at all these comments it is now pretty clear that there is an organized gang banding together to smear Senator Hagel. I hope Hagel won't be discouraged if he reads this and understands that a vocal and motivated few are attempting to look like a larger group. Hagel will have a job as a Senator from Nebraska as long as he wants it. Don't forget that this state gave liberal Bob Kerrey every job he ever asked for, and quite decisively at that. "

 Frank Robertson wrote on August 4, 2006 10:23 pm:
" Senator Hagel is one of the few, the very few, in Congress with any moral courage. As a fellow Vietnam veteran, UNO grad, and father of an active duty Army lieutenant, he has my full support. Continue to speak the trutha and don't let the bastards wear you down! "

 Art wrote on August 4, 2006 10:31 pm:
" I see no "organized gang banding" to smear Hagel. Have we forgotten 9/11. Lets just all sit on our front porches and let the terrorist come and give us some more 9/11's. There are already terrorists in the U S. We sat on our lorals before 9/11 and 3,000 paid the price. And I will grant you there are not just "a vocal and motivated few" that can see thru Hagel. Just maybe they learned something from Bob Kerrey and decided to stand up for whats right. "

 bman wrote on August 4, 2006 10:50 pm:
" god bless hagel!! thanks for being a voice for sanity!!1 -JOhn "

 No one's going to have to speak Arabic here. wrote on August 4, 2006 10:55 pm:
" "Have we forgotten 9/11 ... stand up for what's right ... freedom isn't free ... they hate us for our freedom ... let's fight them over there so we don't have to fight them over here ..." Is anyone else tired of the same old tired and prefabricated platitudes? Anyone have anything ORIGINAL to say? "

 Patriot wrote on January 25, 2007 6:58 am:
" Hopefully Nebraska kicks Hagel out because we need to defeat the terrorists or else they will come calling again like they did on 9/11. This is different than Vietnam because the communists did not bomb America. We were fighting an ideology then which was a worse reason to go into war for Kennedy/Johnson. "

 Jody P. wrote on January 31, 2007 12:10 pm:
" Hagel is a courageous man who is willing to stand up to a president from his own party, and to his misguided lynch-mob constituency in Nebraska, for what he knows in his heart to be right. The right-wingers commenting below don't know the first thing about terrorists, any more than they know anything about Iraq, WMD, or a hole in the ground. And I might add that those are qualities they share with their incompetent boob of a president. "

 rj+W wrote on February 17, 2007 6:54 am:
" Will Chuckie , answer to all Nebraskans !! # 1 A six ( 6 ) month Iraqi pullout , how ? # 2 His record on immigration and english , what ? # 3 His endorsement of " Pete Ricketts " why ? # 4 His Presidentals ambitions , why ? " Dazzling The Masses With BS ? " ' "

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