Petraeus on Meet the Press: Presidential Run? "No way, no how."
In the biggest scoop on the news shows today, Gen. David Petraeus appeared on Meet the Press. He made it clear that a quick drawdown in Afghanistan, as is scheduled for July 2011, is not in the cards. “I didn’t come out here to carry out a graceful exit, I came out here committed to carrying out our objectives.”
He added, “I’m not bowed over by knowledge that July 2011 is out there…the president has been very clear…that this is a date where the process [of withdrawal] begins that is conditions-based.”
Despite the fact that opposition to the war is growing among Americans—70% of whom lack confidence that there will be a successful outcome to the war, according to a Wall Street Journal poll—Gen. Patraeus remained focused on his mission there, not on the politics. "Let’s remember why we’re [in Afghanistan]...we’re here to make sure Afghanistan does not become center of trans-national terrorism."
To ensure that that doesn't happen, "The president wants from me my best professional military advice."
And throughout the interview, the general hinted at the advice he might give Obama as July 2011 approaches. Patraeus was sure to repeat on multiple occasions that our presence in Afghanistan would be "enduring." At one point, he said, "we will have an enduring commitment here [in Afghanistan] in some fashion...the character of which will change." At another point, he added that the war "was going to require a substantial significant commitment and that [our presence there] was going to have to be enduring to some degree, albeit its character and size being scaled down."
Part of making progress, the general said, is instituting a policy in Afghanistan of reconciling with members of the Taliban and re-instituting them into society and government life--a strategy that Patraeus oversaw in Iraq with the insurgents. "There is a prospect with reconciliating with [the Taliban]…we had to face [this] question in Iraq...will we sit down at the table with people who have our blood on their hands?" It sounds like the answer to that question in Afghanistan will be yes. There is, he said, "every possibility that there would be low and mid level reintegration" of Taliban members into the government.
Nearing the end of the interview, Gen. Patraeus noted that "I just read a book about Kipling in India." I wonder what Patraeus thinks about Kipling's poem, the White Man’s Burden vis a vis Afghanistan.
Regardless, there's one burden he will not let weigh him down, the presidency. Modifying a quote from Ulysses S. Grant, he said, "I am not a politician and I will never be, and I say that with absolute conviction."
Throughout the entire interview, Gen. Patraeus carried himself and spoke in a cerebral, honest, and forthright manner--and that sincerity was especially manifest when he spoke about not running for president. But I still think there's the chance that he could run--maybe he won't be guided by ambition, as so many are, but by a sense of duty. And maybe he won't actively seek the nomination, but be convinced to take it by supporters and friends.
What do you think?
Here he is on not running for president.
PETRAEUS: “Most recently, I’ve been reading about the historiography of [Union commander and later president Ulysses]Grant, how historians changed their views of Grant over the years, initially of course regarding him as the, a true hero of course and then over time, in the 1900s, there was a period when a bit more disparaging views of him and it’s actually come up again in recent years.
GREGORY: “Funny you should say that because I had this quote prepared for you from someone that you admire. It is this: ‘I am not a politician, never was, I hope never to be.’ Do you know who said that?”
PETRAEUS: “Was it Grant?”
GREGORY: “It was Grant.”
PETRAEUS: “Well, I am not a politician and I will never be. (Laughs.) I say that with absolute conviction.”
GREGORY: “Well that’s what he said. But does that mean that you are totally clear that you’ll never run for president?”
PETRAEUS: “Yeah, I really am. And, you know I’ve said — that I’ll adopt what Sherman said, and go back and look at what has come to be know as a ‘Shermanesque’ answer of that particular question.”
GREGORY: “No way, no how?”
PETRAEUS: “No way, no how.”
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Comments :
Aug '10
Re: Petraeus on Meet the Press: Presidential Run? "No way, no how."
The General is one of the few people in authority I trust, and most Americans agree, according to polls. He takes his oath seriously, a common military trait. By the way, did you know the Latiin word 'petraeus' means 'living among the rocks'? Rock, Iraq....hmmm....
Anyway, he's a proven leader with integrity and a stellar record, the ability to stand pressure, think 'outside of the box', and perform without much pecuniary reward. Who else can touch him in this sour and corrupt age?
Seriously, all denials aside, if The Alien in the Black Ops House keeps driving toward the cliff, America could unravel quickly. Has everyone forgotten the many burning cities of the '60's?
Consider that the military is trusted more than any other sector of American society, except one, and martial law is not out of the realm of possibility. The states are nearing a tipping point of rebellion against the rot, perfidy, and massive ineptitude of Washington D.C. Joblessness in those communities which suffer most from it in good times are having an even worse time of it now.
Gen. Petraeus could end up running things here at home like a new Julius Caesar.
Re: Petraeus on Meet the Press: Presidential Run? "No way, no how."
Well, I don't blame him. Can you imagine how it must have felt, to be slogging away in Afghanistan, doing your job, and to come home and see this in the newspaper?
Why enter that swamp?