Printable Version

Options On Iraq

A CNP Conversation with Leon Panetta

February 5, 2007

Only one issue could pre-empt former OMB Director, former White House Chief of Staff, and former CNP Chairman Leon Panetta from talking about the federal budget on the day the Bush Administration released the President's 2008 Budget.

That issue is Iraq.

Panetta, a member of the Iraq Study Group, joined CNP to discuss his take on the current situation, almost two months since that commission released its report and recommendations. Panetta, speaking candidly, underlined the recent National Intelligence Estimate finding that Iraq's situation resembles a civil war but is more complex. "It's worse than a civil war," said Panetta, citing the presence of al Qaeda, intra-Shi'ite fighting, and organized crime.

Panetta was not sanguine about the President's new plan. "We surged in 2004, we surged in 2005, and we surged in 2006," Panetta told the gathering at CNP. "If we are going to surge on anything, it should be on the political front." Panetta said the Administration's current surge plan is based largely on the same promises given during the past surges. If there is any chance of success, Panetta believes the United States needs to focus on getting the political and diplomatic elements in place.

The former representative from Monterrey warned that the Administration does not have much time before the Congress is forced to consider more than non-binding resolutions. "If the violence continues," he said, "Congress will begin to assert itself."

Ultimately, Panetta sees the trajectory of Iraq extending beyond 2008. "This will be a war that will be passed on to the next president," said the former White House Chief of Staff.

###