Eric Kleefeld July 4, 2010, 1:01 PM

McCain: ‘Mr. Steele Is Going To Have To Assess As To Whether He Can Still Lead The Republican Party’
Appearing on This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) responded strongly to RNC Chairman Michael Steele’s criticism of the war in Afghanistan — even seeming to say that Steele should consider resigning. “I think those statements are wildly inaccurate, and there’s no excuse for them. Chairman Steele sent me an e-mail saying that he was — his remarks were misconstrued,” said McCain. “Look, I’m a Ronald Reagan Republican. I believe we have to win here. I believe in freedom. But the fact is that I think that Mr. Steele is going to have to assess as to whether he can still lead the Republican Party as chairman of the Republican National Committee and make an appropriate decision.”

Lieberman: Petraeus Should Changes Rules Of Engagement In Afghanistan
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) called upon Gen. David Petraeus to change the military’s rules of engagement in Afghanistan, which are currently designed to minimize civilian casualties by prohibiting troops from shooting unless they are fired at or from firing explosives at targets that are near civilians. “Ultimately, we’ve got to be concerned about the safety of our American troops here,” said Lieberman, also adding that he has heard stories about troops having to wait too long to get air support when under fire. “We can’t let that happen.”

Afghan Ambassador: July 2011 Deadline ‘Not Realistic’
Afghanistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Said Tayeb Jawad, criticized the Obama administration planned withdrawal in July 2011, in an appearance on State of the Union. “First, if you over-emphasize a deadline that is not realistic, you are making the enemy a lot more bold,” Jawad said. “You are prolonging the war. That deadline should be realistic. The line should be based on the reality on the ground and we should give a clear message to the enemy, to the terrorists who are a threat to everyone, that the United States, NATO, Afghans are there to finish this job.”

Graham: We’re Not In Afghanistan As An Occupier — But Withdrawal Timeline Hurts Us
Appearing on Face The Nation, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) criticized the Obama administration’s planned timetable for withdrawal from Afghanistan. “If you send a signal to your enemies you’re going to leave at a certain date, they’ll wait until that date and wait you out,” said Graham, also adding: “We’re not here as an occupier. But this confusion has hurt. It’s emboldened our enemies. We need to get it right and get it clarified.”

McCain: “I’m All For Dates For Withdrawal, But That’s After The Strategy Succeeds, Not Before’
Also during his appearance on This Week, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) criticized the Obama administration’s planned withdrawal from Afghanistan in July 2011. “I’m all for dates for withdrawal, but that’s after the strategy succeeds, not before. That’s a dramatic difference,” said McCain. “And I can tell you for sure, our people in the region are not sure about whether we are going to be here after the middle of 2011, whether we have succeeded or not. And it’s clear that this strategy has not gone as well as we had hoped, so that right away brings into question the middle of 2011.”

DeMint: Graham Wrong About Tea Party
Appearing on Fox News Sunday, Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) disagreed with his fellow South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham (R), who had told the New York Times that the Tea Party Movement is “unsustainable” and would die out. “Lindsey’s a great friend, but he’s wrong on this,” said DeMint. “It’s really a matter about success or failure as a country and I think Americans are going to show in November that this isn’t going away.”

Afghanistan, Jim DeMint, Joe Lieberman, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, Roundup, Sunday Shows