A former Defense Secretary from Wisconsin sounds off on progress in Iraq
Marshfield native Melvin Laird agrees with General David Petraeus' report to Congress this week recommending a troop drawdown. But Laird does not support a total withdrawal. He says some troops will have to remain in the region to fight terrorism.
Laird says he also agrees success is attainable in Iraq. But he says the American campaign ought to remain free of any political influence. Let the generals fight the wars.
Laird, who was President Nixon's Defense Secretary (1969-1973) during the Vietnam War says it's not fair to compare Iraq to Vietnam because Vietnam has moved towards unification.
Right now, he says, it would be difficult to bring together the Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites in Iraq.