Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Man Tries to Order Priciest Starbucks Drink Ever Total cost: $23.60 »

Ex-US Commander in Iraq Bashes Bush in Memoir

President once proclaimed, 'Kick ass!'

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2008 12:11 PM CDT

(Newser) – Retired Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who led US forces in Iraq for a year after Saddam’s ouster, says George W. Bush “led America into a strategic blunder of historic proportions” in a memoir the Washington Post deems “lost in the media furor” over Scott McClellan's. Sanchez recounts a presidential video-conference pep talk in 2004: “Kick ass! If somebody tries to stop the march to democracy, we will seek them out and kill them!

“We must be tougher than hell!” Bush continued. “Our will is being tested, but we are resolute. We have a better way. Stay strong! Stay the course! Kill them! Be confident! Prevail! We are going to wipe them out! We are not blinking!”

Sanchez and Bush
Sanchez and Bush   (Getty Images)
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the U.S. military commander in Iraq.
Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, the U.S. military commander in Iraq.   (AP Photo/Dusan Vranic, FILE)
BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez
BAGHDAD, IRAQ -- Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez   (KRT Photos)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

How Much Did Obama Really Add to Deficit?

Bush's CIA Chief: We Ruled Out Iran Strike

Moderate? Romney Makes Bush Look Liberal

Laura Bush: We Wanted Jeb to Run


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne