Paneta throws Obama under the Bus
Oct 6, 2014 08:11:23 #
In an interview at his home with Capital Download, USA TODAY's video newsmaker series, Panetta says Obama erred:
By not pushing the Iraqi government harder to allow a residual U.S. force to remain when troops withdrew in 2011, a deal he says could have been negotiated with more effort. That "created a vacuum in terms of the ability of that country to better protect itself, and it's out of that vacuum that ISIS began to breed." Islamic State also is known as ISIS and ISIL.
By rejecting the advice of top aides including Panetta and then-secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to begin arming Syrian rebels in 2012. If the U.S. had done so, "I do think we would be in a better position to kind of know whether or not there is some moderate element in the rebel forces that are confronting (Syrian President Bashar) Assad."
By warning Assad not to use chemical weapons against his own people, then failing to act when that "red line" was crossed in 2013. Before ordering airstrikes, Obama said he wanted to seek congressional authorization, which predictably didn't happen.
The reversal cost the United States credibility then and is complicating efforts to enlist international allies now to join a coalition against the Islamic State, Panetta says. "There's a little question mark to, is the United States going to stick this out? Is the United States going to be there when we need them?"
Showing leadership in the fight against ISIS is an opportunity "to repair the damage," he says. He says it's also a chance for Obama to get a fresh start after having "lost his way."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/06/leon-panetta-memoir-worthy-fights/16737615/
By not pushing the Iraqi government harder to allow a residual U.S. force to remain when troops withdrew in 2011, a deal he says could have been negotiated with more effort. That "created a vacuum in terms of the ability of that country to better protect itself, and it's out of that vacuum that ISIS began to breed." Islamic State also is known as ISIS and ISIL.
By rejecting the advice of top aides including Panetta and then-secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to begin arming Syrian rebels in 2012. If the U.S. had done so, "I do think we would be in a better position to kind of know whether or not there is some moderate element in the rebel forces that are confronting (Syrian President Bashar) Assad."
By warning Assad not to use chemical weapons against his own people, then failing to act when that "red line" was crossed in 2013. Before ordering airstrikes, Obama said he wanted to seek congressional authorization, which predictably didn't happen.
The reversal cost the United States credibility then and is complicating efforts to enlist international allies now to join a coalition against the Islamic State, Panetta says. "There's a little question mark to, is the United States going to stick this out? Is the United States going to be there when we need them?"
Showing leadership in the fight against ISIS is an opportunity "to repair the damage," he says. He says it's also a chance for Obama to get a fresh start after having "lost his way."
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2014/10/06/leon-panetta-memoir-worthy-fights/16737615/
Oct 6, 2014 10:38:05 #
pas
Loc: Flordia
This story made me giggle. This is Paneta revving up the masses to buy his book while softening the ground for a Hillary run by distancing her from Obama's incredibly successful foreign policy and immigration policies. I say incredibly successful because I do believe he has successfully t***sformed America...most native Americans, IMHO, just don't want any part of his vision.
Of course Obama and his team made serious "mistakes" that allowed ISIS to gain this foothold. What do you suppose all those Muslim Brotherhood meetings at the White House were all about? And, remember when Obama was caught by a live microphone telling Putin he'd have "more flexibility" after his re-e******n? Can anyone say "Ukraine?"
I would say the Progressives have had a very successful run at removing America as the Light of the Free World.
Of course Obama and his team made serious "mistakes" that allowed ISIS to gain this foothold. What do you suppose all those Muslim Brotherhood meetings at the White House were all about? And, remember when Obama was caught by a live microphone telling Putin he'd have "more flexibility" after his re-e******n? Can anyone say "Ukraine?"
I would say the Progressives have had a very successful run at removing America as the Light of the Free World.
Oct 6, 2014 10:49:22 #
Excellent observation. I agree 100% that this book and related interviews are to soften it for Hillary
pas wrote:
This story made me giggle. This is Paneta revving... (show quote)
Oct 7, 2014 21:57:08 #
Oct 7, 2014 22:12:56 #
dafongi wrote:
We will all be better with Obama under the bus
Obama has thrown so many others under the bus to protect himself there may not be room for him.
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