Pataki bucks Bush, says don't send troops
nydailynews.com
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Gov. George Pataki (R-NY) plans to fall in the Brownback/Hagel anti-surge camp as opposed to the McCain/Giuliani/Romney pro-surge camp when he delivers a major speech on the Iraq war at Georgetown University at 11:00 am ET.
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ALBANY - Former Gov. George Pataki broke ranks with President Bush yesterday and said he opposes the President's plan to send more than 20,000 additional American troops to Iraq.
Pataki's position also put him at odds with the support offered Bush by Sen. John McCain, former Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
Pataki, who also is considering a run for the White House, released excerpts of a speech he was to deliver today at Georgetown University.
"A functioning democracy throughout Iraq is not essential to our achieving a military victory over Al Qaeda in Iraq," Pataki said. "And I share the doubt of many that 20,000 additional troops alone will assure a successful democracy."
Pataki, whose eldest son is a Marine facing possible deployment to Iraq, said, "Before the United States government puts more troops in harm's way in Baghdad, we must have confidence that the [Iraqi] government will be an active partner in this effort."
National polls have shown Pataki trailing far behind McCain, Giuliani and Romney.
The Associated Press |
