Administration Working On Plan B For Iraq

Exclusive: With War Support, Army Wearing Thin, Goverment Calculates Iraq Pullout Costs And Timeframe

(CBS)  The troop surge has not reached full strength, but the Bush administration has already begun work on a Plan B for after the surge.

Despite the almost daily car bombings — today's killed 25 — commanders in the field report modest progress. But they have also concluded the Iraqi government will not meet any of the benchmarks for political reconciliation among its warring factions, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports in a CBS News exclusive.

As Adm. William Fallon, the overall commander for the Middle East, put it, "reconciliation isn't likely in the time we have available."

Right now, Plan B is nothing more than ideas about how the United States could change course in Iraq. But it is a recognition that both political support and the Army are wearing out.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates hopes to start withdrawing by the end of the year. A complete pullout of troops and equipment would take an estimated 10 months, but would probably trigger the collapse of the Iraqi government.

"I don't think there's the real option to withdraw completely, because it's quite clear the Iraqi government wouldn't survive complete withdrawal," said Daniel Serwer, the former director of the Iraq Study Group.

Just six months ago, the group recommended pulling all combat troops out in 2008. But he says that it no longer possible.

"You're talking about staying from five to 10 more years," he said. "You're not talking about staying a few more months."

At current levels?

"Maybe with some drawdown, but at close to current levels," Serwer said.

Plan B, as it is known, is not an official document. Commanders in the field believe the surge will have to continue into next year, but that military advice is on a collision course with political reality.

[rharrin1]

The administration is finally admitting the surge won't work. I told you so.

[rharrin1]

The administration is finally admitting the surge won't work. I told you so.

[cdfoxtrot]

If "Plan B" is: "let's stay for 5 to 10 years, at current troop levels", I'd characterize "Plan B" as "stay the course". It's not a "plan" at all. I hope Bush and his cronies are dumb enough to put this forward as the new plan, once the current one has run its course in September. This would be the final nail in the coffin for the Reps. in '08.

[vinepetal904]

it is a little ironic that the u.s. feared deathly that iraq mite topple the world over nite, and after the invasion wuz done, they began to fear deathly that iraq mite topple the world overnite ... does the u.s. ever stop fearing the world mite topple overnite?

-dance get well soon feed the word songs, and once in a while a get sick soon tax the world one

[tcsandford]

why the pres. doesnt think this is another Vietnam is beyond my comprention

[cbcrowe3]

No to "Plan B". Five or ten more years, billions and billions more in debt: AND keep in mind, this money is sorely needed right here in the old U-S of A. Health care is just one example, some 45 million Americans are now without health insurance. Americans, get on the net: senate.gov, house.gov, and by all means VOTE.

[feelfree1]

The surge is a stall technique, and it is working perfectly.

-corporate piracy and plunder (check)

-death and/or displacement of Iraqi intellectuals (check)

-weakened Iraq for the benefit of Israeli paranoia and delusions of grandeur (check)

-transfer of public wealth into the bulging coffers of war profiteers (check)

-establish a PERMANENT footprint in Iraq, including the biggest embassy complex on the planet (check)

-relocate Halliburton spoils to Dubai (in process)

-install puppet leaders and officials, shove %u2018new%u2019 fascistic-style constitution down throats (check, check)

-foment as much chaos and division as possible between various segments of Iraqi population (check)

-embarrassing record oil company profits, such as Exxon-Mobile with $10 billion per quarter (check)

-blame Iraqis for the whole disgraceful and criminal, Made-in-U.S.A., catastrophe (work in progress)

Conclusion: Mission Accomplished!!!

###

Time to get out:

www.ipetitions.com/petition/OutNow/index-135.html

[downtowner97]

New recruiting slogan: "A coalition of one".

[agog2]

You all know that it is against the law to yell fire in a move theater, and pray tell if someone would be trampled to death by the stampede of people trying to get out of that theater. I wonder what would happen to the person that lied and yelled fire!!! But I guess it%u2019s Ok for some little (X alcoholic AWOL from the National Guard President of the USA) George W Bush and his whole asinine administration to lie to the people of this country about Iraq having weapons of mass destruction, and being engaged in trying to build a nuclear bomb etc etc, and the lies on. These lie have caused us to go to war and have thousands of our brave young soldiers die in a country that was no threat to us at all, not to say how many Iraqi civilians have died too. I say we should impeach that assho%u2014and put him and his administration in jail.

[mh4cbs1]

Only FIVE MORE YEARS until we get Plan C !

By the way, spineless Democrats like Hillary also own this WAR. And now it is becoming a Democrat War, because they have the power to Stop it, but are afraid to stand up to their War (Criminal) President. Democrats will throw their huge anti-war base crumbs, like 'we won't give Bush a blank check' (only another $150 Billion with no timetable) and then they will whine, whine, whine when people are so sickened with the Democrats that they vote for Nader or a Green Party (the Peace Party) candidate.

[incog-nito]

Reality check: There is not a ghost of a chance Nader will become president.

[tbweb]

The U.S. is fighting the Iraq war on vapors! Limited U.S. support, limited international support, limited Iraqi support, mounting U.S. deaths and casualties and on credit! What is the prize and where is the logic? Money from Iraqi oil was suppose to pay for this war, remember that? What happened Iraqi oil financing this war? Oh, and for the icing on the cake, when the Iraq government finally crawled to its wobbly feet to make a decision on oil contracts none went to the U.S. and the Iraqi government went on to announce a planned 2 month vacation in the middle of mayhem as well. This is what we're dying in Iraq for, oil contracts to others, none to the U.S. and holding the fort while the Iraqi government vacations! To use a famous U.S. phrase, these are the facts on the ground! And while all this is happening U.S. gas prices are going through the roof! Maybe the U.S. should take total control over Iraq oil fields and when the U.S. is paid in full we can return them, in the short term this may bring the gas prices down at home. Its not stealing, it was promised as payment and they owe us that payment and when the U.S. gets paid we'll give them their oil fields back. Don't say they need the money to manage their economy, with all the corruption the Iraqis are wasting those profits anyway, the U.S. will manage their economy too, its time to get paid and the U.S. should get paid before it leaves Iraq!

[agog2]

I can%u2019t get over it when it comes to the people of this country. You know William Penn once said %u201CIf you let the people think that they govern, then they will be governed. Big business controls this country they give millions to the politicians that are running for government offices Republicans and Democrats alike it don%u2019t make them a rats behind which one wins because they%u2019ll control either one. Remember Big business also controls the media, Radio, TV, and News papers. They can make you believe anything they want you to believe. Defense companies only make money when they are selling defense products like warplanes, missals, bombs etc etc. Military only buy them when they are using them, get the picture. General stars only shine when they are leading an army in war%u2026. We need a government that is not in the pockets of big business. Nader or Ko8.com anything is would be better then what we have now in Washington.

[agog2]

sorry about the e-mail add it's not K08.com It's K08.org

[rt43]

The war in Iraq has been a massive failure. Our country is on a collision course for disaster, unless we do something to stop it. There is 1 republican who is anti-war, and anti-imperialism. Check out Ron Paul and his ideas. I made just vote Republican in the primaries because of this guy!

[whatithink-2009]

"Administration Working On Plan B For Iraq"

- Plan B? How about Plan X, Y or Z? Everyday there is a new plan, new reason why we invaded...our administration WISHES that they were on Plan B.

[bluestardad]

Here are Senators from Military states that support Everything Bush has done to keep our troops in this Civil War in Iraq! 101st Airborne in Kentucky and 82nd Airborne In North Carolina, Fort Benning Georgia Home of Airborne, Texas, Armor Capitol of America, Fort Sill Oklahoma home of the Field Artillery ! Write them let them know they work for America not Israeli Government!


McConnell, Mitch- (R - KY)
361-A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Dole, Elizabeth- (R - NC)
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: dole.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInformation.C...



Graham, Lindsey- (R - SC)
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/index.cfm?mode=contact

Chambliss, Saxby- (R - GA)
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...


Cornyn, John- (R - TX)
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/contact/index.html

Inhofe, James M.- (R - OK)
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
[phone]
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/contactus.htm




If you think Americas sacrifice is worth it contact your ELECTED OFFICIAL and tell them http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/

[mcvet]

By the way, spineless Democrats like Hillary also own this WAR. And now it is becoming a Democrat War, because they have the power to Stop it, but are afraid to stand up to their War (Criminal) President. Democrats will throw their huge anti-war base crumbs, like 'we won't give Bush a blank check' (only another $150 Billion with no timetable) and then they will whine, whine, whine when people are so sickened with the Democrats that they vote for Nader or a Green Party (the Peace Party) candidate.
Posted by mh4cbs1 at 12:11 AM : May 23, 2007


Oh PLEASE!! Nader has as much chance of becoming the next President as I do. Blaming the Democrats because they couldn't override the Veto of the President is just as stupid. They DIDN'T have the votes pure and simple, thus they were forced to compromise. Let's try to be realistic here but to claim this War is belongs to ANYONE but the Republican Party is INSANE!! Just a FEW Republican's would have made the difference... just a few would have allowed the Democrats to override the veto. They all were fascist to the end and stuck with their failed and Incompetent Leader. That is what American's should remember as we sink deeper into the quagmire that is Iraq. Sieg Heil Y'all.

[mcvet]

By the way, spineless Democrats like Hillary also own this WAR. And now it is becoming a Democrat War, because they have the power to Stop it, but are afraid to stand up to their War (Criminal) President. Democrats will throw their huge anti-war base crumbs, like 'we won't give Bush a blank check' (only another $150 Billion with no timetable) and then they will whine, whine, whine when people are so sickened with the Democrats that they vote for Nader or a Green Party (the Peace Party) candidate.
Posted by mh4cbs1 at 12:11 AM : May 23, 2007


Oh PLEASE!! Nader has as much chance of becoming the next President as I do. Blaming the Democrats because they couldn't override the Veto of the President is just as stupid. They DIDN'T have the votes pure and simple, thus they were forced to compromise. Let's try to be realistic here but to claim this War is belongs to ANYONE but the Republican Party is INSANE!! Just a FEW Republican's would have made the difference... just a few would have allowed the Democrats to override the veto. They all were fascist to the end and stuck with their failed and Incompetent Leader. That is what American's should remember as we sink deeper into the quagmire that is Iraq. Sieg Heil Y'all.

[mcvet]

By the way, spineless Democrats like Hillary also own this WAR. And now it is becoming a Democrat War, because they have the power to Stop it, but are afraid to stand up to their War (Criminal) President. Democrats will throw their huge anti-war base crumbs, like 'we won't give Bush a blank check' (only another $150 Billion with no timetable) and then they will whine, whine, whine when people are so sickened with the Democrats that they vote for Nader or a Green Party (the Peace Party) candidate.
Posted by mh4cbs1 at 12:11 AM : May 23, 2007


Oh PLEASE!! Nader has as much chance of becoming the next President as I do. Blaming the Democrats because they couldn't override the Veto of the President is just as stupid. They DIDN'T have the votes pure and simple, thus they were forced to compromise. Let's try to be realistic here but to claim this War is belongs to ANYONE but the Republican Party is INSANE!! Just a FEW Republican's would have made the difference... just a few would have allowed the Democrats to override the veto. They all were fascist to the end and stuck with their failed and Incompetent Leader. That is what American's should remember as we sink deeper into the quagmire that is Iraq. Sieg Heil Y'all.

[pepperp1]

Oh this is plan B not a surrender timeline, right, I get it 10 months not an actual date of May 1 2008 to tip off the enemy just enough time before the election but not long enough for the financial damage to be apparent. Defense Secretary Robert Gates hopes to start withdrawing by the end of the year. A complete pullout of troops and equipment would take an estimated 10 months, but would probably trigger the collapse of the Iraqi government. I admire Secretary Gates he appears to be a ethical man, he cuts right through the WH and Republican Congress BS doesn%u2019t he read the RNC talking points. Just think maybe if Gonzo goes Secretary Gates has a brother who is a lawyer!

[rharrin1]

Oh PLEASE!! Nader has as much chance of becoming the next President as I do. Blaming the Democrats because they couldn't override the Veto of the President is just as stupid. They DIDN'T have the votes pure and simple, thus they were forced to compromise. Let's try to be realistic here but to claim this War is belongs to ANYONE but the Republican Party is INSANE!! Just a FEW Republican's would have made the difference... just a few would have allowed the Democrats to override the veto. They all were fascist to the end and stuck with their failed and Incompetent Leader. That is what American's should remember as we sink deeper into the quagmire that is Iraq.

Posted by MCVet at 08:12 AM : May 23, 2007

What did bush offer as a compromise == nothing except stay a failing course, same as usual.

[antoniof123]

What a mess the Republicans have made they lock step and I promise this I will never again vote for a lock step Republican. They have made enough of a mess to last me for the rest of my life.

[briannorwood]

Plan "B"?

Here ya go...

We leave.

[jjp735i]

What happened to paln A? You know the one Bush said would take care of the problem and the rest of the world said no it would not.

Will there be a plan C, D, E, etc.? Well there will be until Bush is out of office.

[hungry1968]

I forget who the comedian was that said it:

"The White House is now working on Plan B. But that poses two nagging problems for President Bush. The war in Iraq and the alphabet."

[bareemperor]

So that SURGE isn't working out?

Why does EVERYTHING Bu$h touch turn to Shiite?

And didn't the general population indicate we knew the truth LAST NOVEMBER???

[feedback3-2009]

I don't think they should be allowed to call it plan "B". Admittedly they had no plan whatsoever for a really long time, but there has been at least three iterations of the "surge" in the last few months, not to mention the several approaches to not getting the Iraqi's prepared to take over responsibility for their own security over the past few years. Now if we can agree that "B" stands for "bankrupt" then I can go with it.

[PrissyPatriot]

Some one please get rid of the lunatics running the government. They have clearly overthrown our previous form of government.

[bigsk8fan]

This is really a frustrating time in American history. I am just totally disgusted with Republicans for the rest of my life. I have voted for Republicans in the past. But this George W Bush White House is the worst. And the way the Republicans in Congress just keep supporting his failures is ridiculous. What part of this war in Iraq do they consider legal?

[edjohn66]

As much as I blame Bush and the Republicans for getting us into this, and as much as I also blame Bush and the Republicans for standing in the way of us getting out right now, I also know that mh4cbs does have a point.

The whole purpose of having an opposition party is that it will OPPOSE what the government does. In 2003, it was the Democrats' duty to question everything that the Republicans were trying to sell us. Instead, most Democrats just went along and jumped on Bush's bandwagon. The Democrats as a party utterly failed America in 2003.

But one thing is clear: the Republicans were and remain the party of war, corruption, greed, and oil. Most Democrats at least admit they were wrong and are trying to make amends. If there were more Democrats in Congress right now (enough to overturn a veto), things would be MUCH different. Lets all remember that in November 2008!

[johnshaft4]

Is this the bad joke of the day? Isn't this an alternative birth control?

[mudrose-2009]

As Adm. William Fallon, the overall commander for the Middle East, put it, "reconciliation isn't likely in the time we have available."

Of course, the implication meaning that with the coming election the Dumnos will be sure to effect a pullout. However, since Iran plans to lend as much financial aid to Al-Qaeda as possible this coming Spring, the intention being to persuade the Dumnos to move a lot faster in their decision to leave the region, whether there is a Plan A or B is of no consequence. The Looney of Iran and our Dumnos will collude quite nicely to put an end to the conflict. Hey just an update, there is a group of anti-Armie Iranians called Jundulla that are plotting to overthrow Armie. Maybe that's Plan C. If you get Iran, then I think Iraq might be pacified. Hope springs eternal, unlike those of you out there and you know who you are who advocate defeat.

[drummer94]

When Bush and co. get to plan z, will it be "mission accomplished" or here you go next president, clean up my mess?

[secundus2]

Now that the DEMS have surrendered on the Iraq-war financing issue, the REPS will start working on withdrawal. Expect 2/3 of American troops to be in the process of moving out by spring/summer 2008, so that the REPS don't have to campaign with with the war spoiling their chances.

Prediction II: Around 35- to 50,000 troops will stay in Iraq indefinitely to harrass al Qaida. Gen. Qasem (or somebody like him) will be the real
power in Iraq by 2009.

[incog-nito]

Have we turned another corner yet?

[omega39-2009]

Considering this occupation is heading in to its fifth year, plan "B" should have come and gone a long time ago.

[hungry1968]

The surge plan was unveiled in January. Now we're talking about "Plan B". Isn't this an admission that before January there was no plan whatsoever?

edjohn66:
The idea of an opposition party is to have different ideas and visions for the direction of the country. It's not to keep the other party in check as you suggest. That's why there is a Congress and a President. If the President tries to assume to much power, then Congress is supposed to be there to stop him.

The Bush administration was so intent on going to war, that they had the intelligence fabricated. Then Congress voted on what they thought was real intelligence. Now that it turns out that it was all made up, most representatives regret their vote, and would change it if they could. You'll never get the Republicans to admit it, but I'll bet privately they feel that way.

[micma-2009]

Plan B is to punt to the next administration.


Bush and his policies are an absolute failure.


He's easily the worst President in our history.

[mudrose-2009]

Plan B is to punt to the next administration.
Bush and his policies are an absolute failure.
He's easily the worst President in our history.
Posted by micma

You can thank the 110th Congress for this.

[skyhawk761]

So, if they are coming up with plan B, does that mean that the "surge" was plan A? So, if the "surge" was plan A then that means we have been over there for 4 + years now with no plan? What color are we on in the terror threat? Gosh W, this is all so dam confusing ........

[neoconrcrazy]

plan b

b = blame

bushit will blame the Bushit War in Iraq on Congress for believing his outragious lies about WMD, Al-Qaeda, etc.

then he'll say he's protected America and then he'll get his dumb azzz out of our WH.

there has never been such a dangerous born-again
ex-alcoholic, draft-dodger, lightweight.....and on and on and on

[hungry1968]

mudrose

Oh - now it's the fault of the 110th Congress? Get a life!! They've been in power since January, and President Ding Dong has threatened to veto every piece of legislation they've come up with. How about the fact that for the first 6 years of his administration, the Republicans in Congress let him do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted to? Though I guess it's hard to do anything when you only work 2 days a week for 12 years!!

[mudrose-2009]

mudrose

Oh - now it's the fault of the 110th Congress? Get a life!! They've been in power since January, and President Ding Dong has threatened to veto every piece of legislation they've come up with. How about the fact that for the first 6 years of his administration, the Republicans in Congress let him do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted to? Though I guess it's hard to do anything when you only work 2 days a week for 12 years!!
Posted by hungry1968

That's what I like about you defeatists. Always putting your literal minds out front. Hey, did ya hear Iran is building momentum to finance Al-Qaeda big time to stimulate the 110th to get out of Iraq. And, of course, they will collude.

[passerby2]

if only george bush sr. had pulled out early, then we wouldn't have been in this mess. lol

[gwagener]

Plan B? Aren't we up to about plan Q by now?
Plan A was to walk on the flowers the Iraqis threw to greet us as liberators.
Plan B was to protect the oil and let the Iraqis sort out their own problems.
Plan C was to build an Iraqi army - that fell apart.
And so on...

[clestes-2009]

" But they have also concluded the Iraqi government will not meet any of the benchmarks for political reconciliation among its warring factions, "

Gee, ya think????

The truth is FINALLY sinking in and still Bush wants more and more money, with no strings attached. He must be the absolutely dumbest man in the entire history of US politics.

[randalds]

That's what I like about you defeatists. Always putting your literal minds out front. Hey, did ya hear Iran is building momentum to finance Al-Qaeda big time to stimulate the 110th to get out of Iraq. And, of course, they will collude.
Posted by mudrose at 10:29 AM : May 23, 2007

Hey Mud - we aren't doing too good today i see ........ You could have at least tried to give an educated response rather than trying to change the subject - i know you're much better than this lame reply ..........
Posted by parrot2 at 10:44 AM : May 23, 2007

Nope, actually he's not.

[randalds]

Plan B is to punt to the next administration.

Bush and his policies are an absolute failure.

He's easily the worst President in our history.

Posted by micma at 09:57 AM : May 23, 2007

And the really sick part is that he'll probably get away with it. Bush knows this war is lost and has known it for quite some time. Still he intends to drag it out until after 2008 so that when the inevitable pull out happens, he can sit on his fat lying as*s at his phony movie set Texas "ranch" and say something along the lines of, "Well if the new president has just stayed the course like I did then we'd have had a victory in Iraq, so don't blame me!". Of course at the current rate our troops are dying that'll mean at the very least we'll lose another 1000 soldiers just to cover his as*s, but hey that's a price Bush is willing to pay for his ego. After all it's not like he ever really gave a da*mn about our troops lives in the first place.

[jn122736]

Re.: Posted by edjohn66 at 09:21 AM : May 23, 2007
--------------
edjohn66,%u2026.With respect to your independent comment, I disagree with your contention that,

%u201CThe whole purpose of having an opposition party is that it will OPPOSE what the government does%u201D.

I would change the word OPPOSE to read QUESTION.
I think both parties are too inclined to oppose any legislation simply because it comes from the other side, and not necessarily because it is good or bad per se.

The Republican Party, starting with the infamous %u201Ccontract with America%u201D, has been in almost total lock-step in recent years and with them being in FULL control of our government throughout this administration, their refusal to oversee their own party has lead to the worst/most corruption I have seen in my life, not to mention the present Iraq fiasco.
Continued: