Mission accomplished? The mission in Iraq, as laid out by President Bush and Vice President Cheney, has failed.
Sentiment: NEGATIVE
The reality is that we have missed a lot of opportunities in Iraq because of a failed policy.
As I have been saying for more than a year now, turning this vital mission over to the Iraqi people as soon as possible should remain a topic of debate for Congress while relying on our military commanders to set up the timetable.
Let me be clear, Mr. President, mistakes have been made in Iraq. And this operation has been far from perfect as evidenced by the fact that Zarqawi and other terrorists continue to wreak havoc throughout Iraq.
The mission - the overall mission is to dismantle and defeat and disrupt al-Qaeda. But we have to make sure there's not a safe haven that returns in Afghanistan.
That was one of the great successes of removing Saddam Hussein, as we took Iraq out of the picture of having a sovereign nation from which the terrorists could operate. But this war has not gone perfectly.
This whole mission has surpassed all of our expectations.
One can't doubt that the American objective in Iraq has failed - different plans have to be made. And the kernel here is the acknowledgement of defeat.
Every mission accomplished.
In Iraq we must succeed. Failure is not an option.
Our combat mission is ending, but our commitment to Iraq's future is not.