Burns isn't sharing president's war plan
2006-10-19
Source: Missoulian
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rss feedU.S. Sen. Conrad Burns says he believes President Bush has a plan to win the war in Iraq, but is keeping it quiet, a statement Democrats pounced on Wednesday as reminiscent of comments made during another divisive war.
Burns, at a debate Tuesday night with Democratic challenger Jon Tester, said he believes Bush has a plan to win - but added: "we're not going to tell you what our plan is."
Burns, who has said repeatedly the country must stay in Iraq as long as it takes to win the war, also seemed to suggest Tuesday that a new path may be needed in Iraq. He pointed to Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who has recently called for a new strategy in Iraq.
"We have to change our tactics with the enemy and how it changes it's tactics," Burns said. "And in some cases, we have not been able to do that. I agree with Senator Warner and his assessment. If we don't change, we will pay a heavier price. But we cannot lose it."
Democrats compared Burns' comments to infamous statements by President Nixon that led to news reports that he had a "secret plan" to end or win the war in Vietnam. Like Nixon, Burns never used the word "secret" in his comments Monday, but made it clear it wasn't in the president's or the country's interest to discuss any plans he has for winning the war.
Matt McKenna, a Tester campaign spokesman, said Burns' comments were eerily similar to Nixon's.
"I think the comparison is two politicians who put their own ambitions above the safety and success of the troops," McKenna said Wednesday.
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