Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/boehner-calls-on-obama-to-put-progress-ahead-of-troop-pullouts Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Boehner Calls on Obama to Put Progress Ahead of Troop Pullouts Politics Aug 31, 2010 5:48 PM EDT As President Obama readies for a prime-time address to the nation on the formal end to combat operations in Iraq, Republicans have been focused on the troop surge that President Bush ordered in 2007 – and then candidate Obama opposed. House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio told the American Legion Convention in Milwaukee Tuesday: Some leaders who opposed, criticized, and fought tooth-and-nail to stop the surge strategy now proudly claim credit for the results. • One leader in the U.S. House of Representatives declared the surge a failure before it was even implemented. • One leader in the United States Senate said, and I quote – ‘this war is lost’ – while additional forces were being mobilized. • One lawmaker rejected the idea that the surge would reduce violence in Iraq, saying – and again I’m quoting – ‘in fact, I think it will do the reverse.’ Read the full text of Boehner’s speech here. Watch the NewsHour Tuesday evening for live coverage of President Obama’s Iraq address. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
As President Obama readies for a prime-time address to the nation on the formal end to combat operations in Iraq, Republicans have been focused on the troop surge that President Bush ordered in 2007 – and then candidate Obama opposed. House GOP leader John Boehner of Ohio told the American Legion Convention in Milwaukee Tuesday: Some leaders who opposed, criticized, and fought tooth-and-nail to stop the surge strategy now proudly claim credit for the results. • One leader in the U.S. House of Representatives declared the surge a failure before it was even implemented. • One leader in the United States Senate said, and I quote – ‘this war is lost’ – while additional forces were being mobilized. • One lawmaker rejected the idea that the surge would reduce violence in Iraq, saying – and again I’m quoting – ‘in fact, I think it will do the reverse.’ Read the full text of Boehner’s speech here. Watch the NewsHour Tuesday evening for live coverage of President Obama’s Iraq address. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now