The War
We need to look forward and come up with a plan for the future. For that plan to succeed, we will need to work to meet goals, not dates; to set benchmarks, not timetables.
Jeff supports and prays for the success of our troops in Iraq; many of his personal friends have served there, in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Jeff has planned for and participated in combat operations, including the 1983 Grenada rescue of American students for which he earned a Purple Heart when he was wounded in action in the first Blackhawk helicopter shot down. Jeff knows better the most the danger of combat and delicate decision-making process it takes to get involved. He will not enter into armed conflict lightly.
When presented with the original evidence to invade Iraq, Jeff was not persuaded and did not feel the facts supported an invasion at that time. Jeff based his decision on factual information at hand, while John Kerry based his on his own personal and political goals. Jeff disagrees with Kerry’s vote for the Iraq war, and even more with his motivations, but realizes that blame won’t bring our troops home from Iraq, and it is time for a plan that will.
The “Jeff Beatty plan” supports a comprehensive military and political plan for U.S. success in the Iraq war. This plan has several phases to gradually increase Iraqi self defense capability while drawing down on the U.S. presence. Once implemented, it will allow for a phased withdrawal of 100,000 U.S. troops within 24 months. Our goal is to bring these brave soldiers home while accomplishing our objective in Iraq, and this plan is designed for success on both counts.
Jeff understands that the war in Iraq is now only one front in the larger war on terror, and failure there would lead to broader devastation. A favorable outcome in Iraq will assist in reducing not only potential regional conflicts, but the threat of terrorism as well. Jeff’s experience tells him that simply setting an artificial timetable for withdrawal from Iraq immediately, as John Kerry suggests, would not produce that favorable outcome and would only embolden our enemies.
