David Petraeus

12/13/2007 -- "We join the people of Iraq in strongly condemning yesterday’s barbaric attack targeting the citizens of al Amarah in the Maysan Province. The United States extends its deepest condolences, support and prayers to the people of Maysan Province.

The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team and Multi-National Division South East are working closely with Iraqi authorities to ensure they have sufficient medical supplies and humanitarian assistance for the citizens of al Amarah. We stand ready to provide additional support as needed.    » read more »

06 December 2007 -- The commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, says the military still faces a dangerous enemy, despite a recent decline in violence across the country.

Speaking to reporters in Baghdad, General Petraeus expressed satisfaction at the progress made in security, but cautioned against - as he put it - feeling too successful. He added that more tough work is required against "a very dangerous enemy."

Petraeus meets with visiting U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Baghdad Thursday.    » read more »

September 13, 2007, Davenport, IA – Former Arkansas Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee issued the following comment in response to President Bush's address to the nation: "I agree with the President and his decision to accept the recommendations of General Petraeus. During his speech, the President gave an honest assessment of the status of the war in Iraq : while the challenges remain formidable, the surge is working and there's been significant progress – particularly in Anbar province.    » read more »

- Calls on the President to be Candid with the American People about Iraq
- Says the President's Expected Announcement on Troop Reduction is "Too Little Too Late"

September 12, 2007, Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton today called on President Bush to use his authority as Commander-in-Chief to “greatly accelerate” the redeployment of U.S. forces from Iraq, and not portray an unavoidable reduction in U.S. troops to pre-surge levels that would occur as a result of the strain on our forces as a marker of success    » read more »

September 12, 2007, Washington, DC— Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senators Carl Levin and Jack Reed held a press conference today to discuss Gen. David Petraeus’s and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s testimony before Congress on President Bush’s troop escalation strategy in Iraq.

This week’s testimony confirmed that the Bush Administration is continuing to pursue its flawed strategy even as every objective assessment of the surge reports that it has failed to bring the Iraqi government closer to political reconciliation.    » read more »

Sep 12, 2007, Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today Senator John Edwards released the following statement on Iraq:

"After two days of General Petraeus' testimony, only one thing seems clear: this president isn't going to change his failed policy in Iraq until he is forced to do so. The question now is whether Congress will once again cave to his demands, or if they will stand firm and answer the call of the American people who last November voted for change in Iraq.    » read more »

Sept. 12, 2007, WASHINGTON, DC - At yesterday's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Republican Senator John Warner, while questioning General David Petraeus, echoed the assertion that Chris Dodd has been making for several months: that the Bush Administration's policies in Iraq have failed to make America safer.

The relevant testimony follows:    » read more »

Sept. 12, 2007, WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator and 2008 Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd attended Ambassador Ryan Crocker's and General David Petraeus' testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the "surge".    » read more »

Wednesday, Sep 12, 2007 -- Gov. Mitt Romney:

"[The] testimony from General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker confirms the progress being made by our troops in Iraq. This is good news for Americans and Iraqis. ... America must continue its commitment to the strategy General Petraeus is executing." - Gov. Mitt Romney (Romney For President, Press Release, 9/11/07)

THE ROMNEY VISION: SUPPORT THE TROOPS AND THE SURGE

Gov. Romney Welcomes The Petraeus Report And News That U.S. Forces Are Making Progress In Iraq:    » read more »

12 September 2007, White House (By Scott Stearns) -- President Bush gives a nationwide address Thursday in which he is expected to announce the gradual withdrawal of 30,000 troops from Iraq. VOA White House Correspondent Scott Stearns reports, opposition Democrats want more troops to leave sooner.

President Bush spent the day rehearsing his speech on Iraq which aides say has already had more than 20 drafts. White House officials say the president will endorse General David Petraeus' recommendation to bring home 30-thousand reinforcements sent to Iraq earlier this year.    » read more »

Tuesday, September 11, 2007, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) addressed the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing with General David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker.

Below is Senator Barack Obama’s statement as prepared for delivery:    » read more »

Tuesday, September 11, 2007, Washington, D.C.—U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) used her time at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing today to ask General David Petraeus to face realities in Iraq and stop giving Congress and the American people rosy scenarios to justify a long, continuing U.S military presence in Iraq.    » read more »

September 11, 2007 -- Senator Carl Levin: Today we welcome General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker for an update on the situation in Iraq.    » read more »

September 11, 2007 -- Senator Kennedy: Everyone agrees that military action and reconciliation need to go hand in hand. General Jones said it. President Bush said it. You’ve said it.

In the counterinsurgency manual you wrote last December you specifically state that “military actions by themselves cannot achieve success in counterinsurgency… Tactical actions… must be linked… to the host nation’s essential political goals. Without those connections, lives and resources may be wasted for no real gain.”    » read more »

September 11, 2007, Little Rock, AR – Former AR Governor and Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee issued the following statement today regarding the recent advertisement by moveon.org about Gen. Petraeus in the New York Times:

“The disgraceful act of the leftist organization, moveon.org, has marked a new low watermark in American discourse. To accuse a patriotic, honorable, and highly decorated soldier like General David Petraeus of treason by intimating that he had betrayed his duty, his honor, and his country is appalling.    » read more »