Boehner Addresses the 92nd American Legion National Convention

Washington (Aug 31) Following are excerpts from House Republican Leader John Boehner's (R-OH) address on national security, set to be delivered today at 2:10pm EST in Milwaukee, WI at the 92nd American Legion National Convention, in advance of President Obama's Oval Office Address to the Nation on Iraq:

IRAQ: "This day belongs to our troops, whose courage and sacrifices have made the transition to a new mission in Iraq possible. ... When General Petraeus embarked on the surge strategy in January 2007, it was widely viewed as our last chance to save Iraq from spiraling into an irreversible descent toward chaos. The consequences of failure then, as now, were severe. Some leaders who opposed, criticized, and fought tooth-and-nail to stop the surge strategy now proudly claim credit for the results. ... Today we mark not the defeat those voices anticipated -- but progress."

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AFGHANISTAN: "I support our counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, but the president must do more to emphasize his commitment to ensuring its success rather than focusing on meeting arbitrary deadlines for withdrawal. ... Using campaign promises as yardsticks to measure success in Iraq and Afghanistan runs the risk of triggering artificial victory laps and premature withdrawal dates unconnected to conditions on the ground."

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MIDDLE EAST: "Iran is more than prepared to sacrifice the well-being of its people for the chance to fundamentally change the balance of power in the region. It is the true source of instability in the region, and we must not naively assume a nuclear-armed Iran would be containable. ... America has stood by Israel since Harry Truman sat in the Oval Office. Our commitment to this long-standing friendship should be no less strong today. Where I come from, you stick by your friends, you stick by people who share your values. You do not send a message of strength to your enemies by shunning your friends and allies."

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ECONOMY: "Today, as thousands of our warriors come home seeking to provide for their families and realize the American Dream they have volunteered to defend, they confront an economy that affords neither opportunities nor jobs. Veterans' unemployment is now at 11 percent. That is why I have called on my colleagues in the Congress and the president to join me in supporting a series of immediate actions to end the ongoing economic uncertainty and help more Americans find an honest day's work. 'Stimulus' spending sprees, permanent bailouts, federal mandates and government takeovers have failed this nation and have failed our veterans."

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Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• House Republican Leader
• John Boehner
• troops
• Iraq
• Afghanistan
• President
• Barack Obama
• surge

[IngloriusBastard11]

Why doesn't the Democratic Party just unleash the attack dogs on these lieing conservative assholes?

All they do is manipulate the people of this country and continue to give them their bullshit rhetoric about being concerned about our military personnel, your children and grandchildren bullshit and nothing more than warm and fuzzy YADDA, YADDA, YADDA nonsense.

How about just giving us the truth about your conservative programs got us into this mess?

[IngloriusBastard11]

It's not just Boehner who is out of touch with the American people it is the entire Republican Party.

By the way is that one of those "Read Your Speech Machines" that the conservatives are always blaming Obama for using....lol. I'll be damned...lol.

Boehner stick to hitting the tanning booths, you're useless in Washington.

[yakyakyak69]

Throw out BOTH NeoCon & Democrat Keynesian Statist Progressives!

STOP Fascist Crony Corporatism, Illegal Immigration & Marxist Redistributionist TREASON.

STOP Empire Building & Foreign Intervention with 700+ US military bases OCCUPYING over 135 nations PRODUCING hatred & jihad RESISTANCE!

Trade, NOT bribes/bombs Manipulation OR Isolationism!

Return to Constitutionally limited Gov't, Individual Liberty & Responsibility, Sound Money, FREE competition between FREE States & FREE people.

[snowboardin1]

This guys is the most out of touch person with the American people that could ever be in office. He would never extend unemployment for hard working Americans who have fallen on hard times, he doesn't pass cuts for small businesses, he wants less regulation on corporations so that they can continue to screw over consumers. Just completely out of touch! lol

[nutriwiseguy]

common sense lives in the USA

[dhajj777]

This man who served in the US Navy for 2 WEEKS, before he was discharged with a bad back, so evident every time he swings a golf club while getting his tan. A 2 week navy career before bailing out is no sign of leadership, let alone a qualification to speak to any veterans group in this country.

[firejack007]

It really hit home to him having one of his close staff lose a husband. Would make a better President than what we have now. Thank you Congressman Boehner. Such a huge difference between that Marine and the commentors below.

[BT106430]

SUCH AN A--HOLE

[terryshilo]

Like fingernails on a chalkboard... so are the words of PermaTan's life.

[im1greatman]

So John, will you be beating the war drums against Iran anytime soon?