Odierno Ready For New Post-Surge Mission

60 Minutes: Odierno Admits He Made Mistakes During His First Tour In Iraq

(CBS)  Some Iraqis get only one or two hours a day of electricity. It's not much better for a division commander in the Iraqi army, who also has to deal with power outages. The worst situation may be in Sadr City, where there are lakes of open sewage and piles of garbage.

The U.S. is spending $10 billion a month in Iraq. General Odierno will be leaning on the Iraqi government, with its $80 billion surplus, to clean things up, restore electricity and do something about the unemployment rate of upwards of 50 percent, as he becomes the general in charge of nation building.

"You're almost like a shadow secretary of labor and a minister of public works and talking to them about construction projects and engineering projects and jobs," Stahl commented.

"Yeah. As we make progress, you know, the problems become actually more complex. And so we have to learn to work with many other agencies in order to do the kind of things we're talking about," he replied.

All this requires finesse, because with the sectarian rivalries unresolved, the political process is stalemated over a number of crucial issues like oil revenue sharing. It’s part of Odierno’s portfolio now to coax and cajole the Iraqis to compromise.

But does this general - with his old reputation of an iron fist - have the delicacy this phase of the war requires?

"Do you think that you’re going to be able to put on a velvet glove? I guess what I'm asking you, and it’s a tough question, but I’m asking if you think you have the temperament to take this job and, you know, handle the soft side of it?" Stahl asked.

"Sure. Sure, I do," Odierno replied. "I understand the complexities of what we're doing. I understand what it takes in order to be successful. I understand what we need to do. And I’ll do whatever I can to make sure we’re successful."

[divarty6]

Congratulations to Miss Stahl for a balanced piece on the new US Commander in Iraq, GEN Odierno. While it was good to see the goals that this West Pointer has set, I was dismayed; yes, disappointed to hear him say that he has not voted since his promotion to colonel. The USA is in Iraq to bring democracy to that nation, and one of the key elements to democracy is the right to vote on the leaders (and hence the policies) of government. I can understand why he does not wish to speak about political preferences, but I should think he would feel secure in the privacy of the voting booth. It is truly a shame that this senior military officer cannot exert his basic authority and rights as a citizen while he seeks to provide these rights for others.

[vaschroeder]

Shame on you, General Odierno! As other viewers, I also had to reread the interview to believe you do not vote in national elections!! We go around the world preaching democracy. In Iraq, the tragic death toll of both Americans and Iraqis is for the supposed goal of bringing about a democratic form of government that you choose to not even participate in. No one follows you into the voting booth. What a pathetic excuse you gave as for why you do not vote.I would prefer having a general leading our army that has a brain of his own, not one that he has apparently given to the commander in chief.

[dicinseattle]

A strong implication in this report is that the surge is working. Said often by Sen. McCain, and echoed by the media, it ignores much reality. Start with the platoon of body-armored and heavily-armed troops protecting the general and Leslie on their stroll thru the market. Add the fact that most of Baghdad is divided by walls and checkpoints separating Sunni from Shiite. Then consider the estimated 4.5 million internally and externally displaced Iraqis who fled their homes in fear of their neighbors and the militias. And don''t forget that the US is paying the salaries of the armed Sunni Awakening Council, and that the Shiite-dominated government is reluctant to include these enforcers in its police and standing army. All of this suggests that the surge has provided at best a short-term cessation of the sectarian revenge taking and murderous violence that, with or without al Qaeda, will return at some point unless there is a religious/political coming together. Question: Why doesn''t 60 minutes report the full story?

[vinzenzo-2009]

General O is a true patriot and I sleep soundly at night knowing that he is protecting us and our troops. Is Leslie Stahl that full of herself that she walks around without a bullet proof vest?

[pattbo]

Did I hear Mr Macho General Odierno call Leslie Stahl "HONEY" I found that tacky and if he did Ms Stahl should be very offended.

[cmmck]

I was appalled when Gen. Odierno stated that he had not voted in a national election since he was promoted to Cl. As a member of the military, he should be ready to support his Commander and Chief no matter what his personal political affilations. In addition, the President''s role and responsibilities far exceed those limited to the military. As an American citizen, especially one who is responsibile for upholding our values and leading by example, he should be embarassed to admit in public that he does not participate in the very democracy he is charged with defending. What does this say to all those currently and throughout our history who sacrificed everything to maintain and protect this basic right!

[brianbwb-2009]

Posted by Nancy_Naive

The average Dutch person is 4 inches taller than the average American.

[concernedme]

I had to reread the interview to actually see if I misheard the general say "he doesn''t vote in national elections!" I''m at a loss for words. Shame on you General O. for the poor example you are setting for those who are maimed and dying for the very people who would welcome and embrace that privilege. Shame on you.

[concernedme]

I had to reread the interview to actually see if I misheard the general say "he doesn''t vote in national elections!" I''m at a loss for words. Shame on you General O. for the poor example you are setting for those who are maimed and dying for the very people who would welcome and embrace that privilege. Shame on you.

[concernedme]

I had to reread the interview to actually see if I misheard the general say "he doesn''t vote in national elections!" I''m at a loss for words. Shame on you General O. for the poor example you are setting for those who are maimed and dying for the very people who would welcome and embrace that privilege. Shame on you.

[concernedme]

I had to reread the interview to actually see if I misheard the general say "he doesn''t vote in national elections!" I''m at a loss for words. Shame on you General O. for the poor example you are setting for those who are maimed and dying for the very people who would welcome and embrace that privilege. Shame on you.

[ray999999]

Gen. Ray Odierno or should i say G.W.Bush jr. war monger idiots

[bremertonwa_]

I agree with perform421 only I would like to add, did you really research this story? It was mentioned the electricity infrastructure was not restored. That is not true either. Shame on you for presenting such treasonous information!

[cjcregg1]

Why is that no one ever mentions the dearth of women in these stories. Almost everyone that is interviewed or seen on the street is male. The women are all burka''d and moving quickly...

Women had a role in the old Iraq. Now they are just in the margins. I can''t believe that Leslie didn''t bring it up. Did she not notice?

[perform421]

Here we go again, I wonder how long it took to find people to agree that living under Sadam was better than with the Americans. Leslie, you can''t be trusted.

[c13513]

Simple question...How much did it cost me (taxpayer) for your reporter to walk around in this puff piece without armor? Everyone in the picture had body armor except your reporter...Already on the hook for 7 Bil...

[nicholasma]

No Bail out !!!!!!!!
We have no voice !!!!!
If you bail wall street out then who needs the law
you would not bail out the farmers just scum on wall street

[babooph]

Unlike his C in C-he feels he is not a one trick pony-hope he is right !

[bob5ford]

While we are tied up in the middle east the Russian navy is steaming toward Venezuela for maneuvers with Venezuela''s navy(?) and there are already several Russian bombers in Caracas. The Russian navy in The Gulf of Mexico folks! Which is the bigger threat to us here at home, rag heads in Asia fighting among themselves or Venezuela and Bolivia backed by Russia only 500 miles away?????

[terrapin78]

If he makes one more mis-step (mistake) in Iraq, it should be the end of his military career!