Casey gets tough questioning by Senate

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Army Chief of Staff nominee Gen. George Casey told senators Thursday that he supported President Bush's Iraqi war policies.

Casey, former head of the multinational forces in Iraq, gave a rather optimistic view of the situation to the Senate Armed Services Committee in Washington despite sharp questioning by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

"I do not agree that we have a failed policy," Casey said. "I believe the president's new strategy will enhance the policy that we have."

Casey said Iraqis were poised to assume responsibility for their own security by the end of 2007, still with some level of support from U.S. troops.

McCain responded virtually everyone who has come before his committee had said the policy had failed and the United States is not winning.

McCain said Casey's duty as head of the coalition forces in Iraq had raised "some serious questions of judgment and your execution of your responsibilities in Iraq, and we have paid a very, very heavy price."