Army News, news from Iraq, - Army Times

Retired generals on TV to criticize Iraq war

WASHINGTON — Two retired Army major generals with experience in Iraq will appear in television commercials critical of President George W. Bush’s handling of the war. The ads, to begin airing Wednesday, take aim at key Republicans in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Financed by VoteVets.org, the $500,000 in ads will feature retired Major Generals John Batiste and Paul Eaton, both of whom have criticized civilian leaders of the U.S. Defense Department in the past. Batiste commanded the 1st U.S. Infantry Division in Iraq, and Eaton oversaw training of the Iraqi military from 2003 to 2004.

The commercials are timed to coincide with congressional debate over the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

The media markets chosen by VoteVets are designed to pressure Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Sununu of New Hampshire, John Warner of Virginia and Norm Coleman of Minnesota, all of whom are up for re-election next year. The ads also will run in the congressional districts of Republican Reps. Mary Bono of California, Phil English of Pennsylvania, Randy Kuhl and James Walsh of New York, Jo Ann Emerson of Missouri, Tim Johnson of Illinois, Fred Upton of Michigan and Michael Castle of Delaware.

The ads represent the first time former military commanders in Iraq have appeared in commercials to criticize the conduct of the war, now in its fifth year.

Related reading

Former generals call for Rumsfeld’s ouster (April 24, 2006)

Eaton has criticized administration before (April 3, 2006)

Counterpoint: Disgruntled generals’ whining is self-serving (May 29, 2006)