so they can go on it on their own. I think we're going to be successful. There's nothing this country can't do, if we put our mind to it, but we need to do it right. We need to mobilize this country and employ a comprehensive regional and global strategy." In May 2007, Batiste appeared in a political ad for VoteVets.org that was critical of President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Two days later, CBS stated that appearing in the ad violated the network's regulations, and terminated his contract as a result. In testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2007, Batiste said, "Secondary interests are that our withdrawal cannot create a humanitarian disaster or an Iraq dominated by another state(s) in the region. This may require a residual force of up to 30,000 US troops for decades to protect the US mission, train and advise the Iraqi security forces, provide a counter balance to unintended consequences of Iran and a greater "Kurdistan", and take direct action against residual Al Qaeda in Iraq. We cannot walk away from our strategic interests." In late 2007, he asserted that the military alone would not be successful in Iraq. On December 8, 2007, Batiste co-wrote an editorial in the Washington Post stating, "Third, the counterinsurgency campaign led by Gen. David Petraeus is the correct approach in Iraq. It is showing promise of success and, if continued, will provide the Iraqi government the opportunities it desperately needs to stabilize its country. Ultimately, however, these military gains must be cemented with regional and global diplomacy, political reconciliation, and economic recover—tools yet sufficiently utilized. Today's tactical gains in Iraq—while a necessary pre-condition for political reconciliation—will crumble without a deliberate and comprehensive strategy". He argues that at the moment, such a strategy does not exist. Personal Batiste and his sister Elizabeth are the children of John Olaf Batiste (June 30, 1922 – August 6, 1979) and Mary Day (Robinson) Batiste Payson (May 1, 1930 – July 7, 2013). Their father was a decorated infantry officer who served in World War II (Bronze Star and Purple Heart), Korea (Silver Star and second Bronze Star) and Vietnam (Legion of Merit), retiring as a colonel in 1977. Later in his military career, he was assigned to the Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, eventually serving as secretary and chief of staff for the college from 1971