Worst. Possible. Decision.

WASHINGTON — Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq and the public face of the war effort there, Wednesday became President Bush’s nominee to supervise U.S. military operations in the Middle East and Central Asia as head of Central Command, putting him in position to oversee American strategy in Iraq for years to come.

Lt. Gen. Raymond Odierno, who worked closely with Petraeus as the No. 2 commander in Iraq until two months ago, was nominated to receive a fourth star and take Petraeus’ current job.

Why is this a bad call? Because putting 50,000 more troops in Iraq and tying their hands as tightly as the ones already there doesn’t win a war. Taking the handcuffs off the ones over there now and letting them do what needs to be done would.

Send post as PDF to