General Eric Shinseki - Bush And General Eric Shinseki

Discussion

"Our top priority today is defense, and George Bush is stronger than John Kerry on it."

General Eric Shinseki was the Army Chief when President Bush ordered preparations for invading Iraq. When General Eric Shinseki advised President Bush Iraq would require 300,000 troops to secure, President Bush told General Eric Shinseki to sign off on 100,000. General Eric Shinseki refused and instead retired, declaring, "The US Army is a well-honed organization; don't stretch ten divisions to do what would require twelve divisions."

And when General Tommy Franks pleaded with President Bush not to divert troops from Afghanistan, President Bush refused and let bin Laden slip by.

The last 18 months have proven General Eric Shinseki right and President Bush wrong. Two botched wars undermine any claim of strength on defense.

As far as President Bush vs. Senator Kerry is concerned, when the nation was previously at war, Senator Kerry volunteered for front line duty, faced enemy fire, came back with medals and spoke his mind about the war. In comparison, President Bush stayed homebound, didn't show up to drills for 6 months, choosing instead to work on a political campaign, and got grounded by his superior. President Bush isn't stronger than Senator Kerry on defense.

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