Blackburn, others to meet with Rumsfeld about war’s progress
Rumsfeld was to meet with a handful of lawmakers at the office of Rep. Kay Granger, R-Texas, Thursday morning amid efforts by the administration to blunt criticism of the war and calls by Democrats for troop withdrawal.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., will be among those attending.
Granger’s office said she was asked to hold the meeting ? expected to last about 15 minutes. Rumsfeld plans one other meeting with a group of House members and was scheduled to meet with Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., before the Granger meeting.
“He’s coming to give a report on the progress we’re making,” said Caitlin Carroll, Granger’s spokeswoman.
Blackburn said she will express her opposition to pulling U.S. troops out of Iraq in the meeting with Rumsfeld.
“We’re in this war to win, but too many in Washington are trying to claim otherwise. The assertion that there’s no progress and comparisons to Vietnam are based less on historical fact than political maneuvering,” Blackburn said.
She said the United States has a “clear plan for succeeding in Iraq,” and accused opponents of demoralizing troops.
Other House members invited to the meeting are Reps. Sam Johnson, a Texas Republican who was a prisoner of war for seven years in Vietnam; Mac Thornberry, another Texas Republican who serves on the Armed Services and Select Intelligence committees; Jim Marshall, D-Ga.; and Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan.
The meeting follows two recent speeches by President Bush to respond to criticism and questions about the U.S. war in Iraq. Bush’s approval ratings are at the lowest in his presidency, and he and administration officials are trying to boost public support for the war before the Dec. 15 vote in Iraq to pick a permanent government.
Bush defended his war policy Wednesday and spoke of economic progress in Iraq.
Rumsfeld said Tuesday the Iraqi elections will spawn increased violence, while Vice President Dick Cheney on Wednesday rejected calls for a speedy withdrawal of troops.
Support for the war has waned as the U.S. death toll in Iraq surpassed 2,000 and after longtime hawk Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., announced that U.S. troops should be pulled out of Iraq.