McCain, Casey clash over Iraq strategy

In a visible departure from other U.S. officials’ statements, Army Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq for the past two and a half years, said that the Bush administration did not pursue a failed policy in Iraq. 

In a visible departure from other U.S. officials’ statements, Army Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. commander in Iraq for the past two and a half years, said that the Bush administration did not pursue a failed policy in Iraq.

 Casey defended his record following a salvo of criticism from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), a presidential contender and a key supporter of President Bush’s new strategy of sending more than 20,000 additional troops to Iraq.

  McCain, who has been pushing for several years for more troops in Iraq, criticized Casey for what he called misjudgments about the prospects of stabilizing Iraq and his overly "rosy" statements about the course of events in Iraq.
 
  "While I do not in any way question your honor, patriotism or service to your country, I do question some of the decisions you’ve made in the past two and half years," McCain told Casey.
 
  The general acknowledged that he and McCain have "fundamental differences," but that throughout his tenure in Iraq he tried to strike the right balance between the responsibility of U.S. soldiers and that of the Iraqis. Casey said he remained true to his original commitment to request the number of troops he thought he needed to accomplish his mission.
 
  Casey has been nominated to become the next Army chief of staff. He would replace Gen. Peter Schoomaker, who was brought out of retirement three years ago to take the position.
 
  Casey, along with U.S. Central Commander Gen. John Abizaid, expressed doubts last year about the efficacy of sending more U.S. troops to Iraq. The generals argued that the more U.S. soldiers shoulder the burden of securing Iraq, the longer it will take Iraq’s government to take hard decisions with regards to reconciliation and dealing with militias.
 
  Casey said he took part in the discussion surrounding the president’s new strategy. He said he asked for two additional brigades, less than half of what Bush plans to commit in Iraq. Under the new strategy, Bush called for five additional brigades.
 
  The commander of the Iraq forces said he did not ask for more troops because he did not want to bring "one more American soldier than necessary" into Iraq. Casey acknowledged, however, that five brigades would offer the new commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, more flexibility.
 
  The Senate confirmed Petraeus last week. He is scheduled to replace Casey next week.
 
  While McCain does not directly oppose Casey’s nomination, he said he has "strong reservations."
 
  Meanwhile, another presidential contender, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) urged Sens. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and John Warner (R-Va.) – the architects of a bipartisan resolution opposing Bush’s troop buildup – to include in their bill a mandate requiring that all troops headed to Iraq be properly equipped and trained.
 
  Clinton cited a recent inspector general report, which said that troops are not adequately equipped and trained.