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The White House Scales Back Talk of Iraq Progress
By DAVID E. SANGER
WASHINGTON, April 27 — The Bush administration will not try to assess whether the troop increase in Iraq is producing signs of political progress or greater security until September, and many of Mr. Bush’s top advisers now anticipate that any gains by then will be limited, according to senior administration officials.
In interviews over the past week, the officials made clear that the White House is gradually scaling back its expectations for the government of Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki. The timelines they are now discussing suggest that the White House may maintain the increased numbers of American troops in Iraq well into next year.
That prospect would entail a dramatically longer commitment of frontline troops, patrolling the most dangerous neighborhoods of Baghdad, than the one envisioned in legislation that passed the House and Senate this week. That vote, largely symbolic because Democrats do not have the votes to override the promised presidential veto, set deadlines that would lead to the withdrawal of combat troops by the end of March 2008.
On Friday, during an appearance with Japan’s prime minister at Camp David, President Bush said that he would invite congressional leaders to the White House on Wednesday, immediately after his expected veto message, to talk about a “way forward.”
I have voted both Democrat and republican over the last 17 years, but I am dead set against the Iraq War. I am not a partisan, but I definitely lean Democratic at this point.
Having said that, doesn't it seem that Bush is just running out the clock? They originally said progress and a an assessment will be made by summer, they have backed off that and are now saying September. Shouldn't he own the outcome of his invasion? Shouldn't he minimally admit miscalculation and invite a bipartisan solution prior to him leaving so the next president doesn't appear to have "lost" a war?
What I don't understand, congress (including Hillary, and many dems) voted for the war. Now that the war is unpopular, they are separating themselves from the war, and wont fund a war they voted for.
Did anybody going into this thing thinking this war would last only a few years? I’m sorry but we will be in Iraq for a very long time if we choose to finish the job. What would Iraq turn into if we decided to pack our bags and leave?
LOL, I remember Hillary saying how upset she was that Bush had created this mess, and she was mad that she would have to clean it up.
I suppose he should also clean up the Palestinian mess, the north Korea mess, the Iranian mess and any other mess going on in the world so that she doesn't have to deal with anything. Kind of like her hubby didn't really deal with anything.
Just another example of living in a liberal wonderland.
Did anybody going into this thing thinking this war would last only a few years? I’m sorry but we will be in Iraq for a very long time if we choose to finish the job. What would Iraq turn into if we decided to pack our bags and leave?[/
I agree, and that's why I don't understand why the administration doesn't just come flat out and say that. It seems as though they keep pushing backwards which is why I say it seems they are running out the clock.
And again, I don't know who's advocating just packing up and leaving?? Bush has had benchmarks in place now for 2 years, but he doesn't enforce them.
It looks like gates is gonna be a bit tougher, but my guess is any reports of progress or lack thereof will be deferred until after the election.
What I don't understand, congress (including Hillary, and many dems) voted for the war. Now that the war is unpopular, they are separating themselves from the war, and wont fund a war they voted for.
Did anybody going into this thing thinking this war would last only a few years? I’m sorry but we will be in Iraq for a very long time if we choose to finish the job. What would Iraq turn into if we decided to pack our bags and leave?
I agree, and that's why I don't understand why the administration doesn't just come flat out and say that. It seems as though they keep pushing backwards which is why I say it seems they are running out the clock.
Bush did, right away at the onset. He did repeatedly. You think this microwave oven/instant coffee society has the stones to hear that? Hell no - a fact the Dems more than gleefully hopped on, to bash this war down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sizzle
And again, I don't know who's advocating just packing up and leaving??
You're kidding, right? Dems are quoted all over the place saying just exactly that. Why do you think they keep voting to defund the war?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sizzle
Bush has had benchmarks in place now for 2 years, but he doesn't enforce them. It looks like gates is gonna be a bit tougher, but my guess is any reports of progress or lack thereof will be deferred until after the election.
You expect reports of a lack of progress to be deferred? Now progress - that's another matter. Reports of that haven't been deferred, they've been censored.
Bush did, right away at the onset. He did repeatedly. You think this microwave oven/instant coffee society has the stones to hear that? Hell no - a fact the Dems more than gleefully hopped on, to bash this war down.
He did, but we keep passing his get well dates. I am speaking specifically to the article I quoted however. He said it will take 3 months to show the surge is working, but now it is looking more like 9 months. We are inching closer and closer to the end of his term.
Quote:
You're kidding, right? Dems are quoted all over the place saying just exactly that. Why do you think they keep voting to defund the war?
Show me where either house of congress endorses a plan that says we should leave RIGHT NOW. Yes, you have a few that are too far left, but the Dem position is benchmarks with an exit in 2008 or about a year from now. With the endorsement of Chuck Hagel Republican.
Quote:
You expect reports of a lack of progress to be deferred? Now progress - that's another matter. Reports of that haven't been deferred, they've been censored.
I'm talking an Official Progress Report from the administration. Again I am specifically referencing the article. We were due a progress report this summer and now it's being pushed back. What I am saying is that I bet it will be pushed back again until after the election.
He did, but we keep passing his get well dates. I am speaking specifically to the article I quoted however. He said it will take 3 months to show the surge is working, but now it is looking more like 9 months. We are inching closer and closer to the end of his term.
Yes - he does keep understating times now. He didn't before (he just said that we have to be prepared for a prolonged fight). I forgive him his underestimations, because (a) in principle, I don't care how long it takes anyway; I'm committed to the idea; (b) I don't think he believes it either, but it is his way of announcing a timeline into a purposefully impatient media in such a way that he doesn't get barraged with objections (even though he should, and pound right back).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sizzle
Show me where either house of congress endorses a plan that says we should leave RIGHT NOW. Yes, you have a few that are too far left, but the Dem position is benchmarks with an exit in 2008 or about a year from now. With the endorsement of Chuck Hagel Republican.
Feingold endorsed an immediate withdrawal; Murtha did. 16 House Democrats led by Lynn Woolsey did. It's what they've been pushing for for over 2 years.
Chuck Hagel is a political hack. I know what he is - and it's not a Republican.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sizzle
I'm talking an Official Progress Report from the administration. Again I am specifically referencing the article. We were due a progress report this summer and now it's being pushed back. What I am saying is that I bet it will be pushed back again until after the election.
I've got a shop vac he could use and get rid of the sand and dust!
__________________
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What I don't understand, congress (including Hillary, and many dems) voted for the war. Now that the war is unpopular, they are separating themselves from the war, and wont fund a war they voted for.
Whichever way the wind blows...
__________________ “Bother!" thought Pooh, as he chambered another round...
I have voted both Democrat and republican over the last 17 years, but I am dead set against the Iraq War. I am not a partisan, but I definitely lean Democratic at this point.
Having said that, doesn't it seem that Bush is just running out the clock? They originally said progress and a an assessment will be made by summer, they have backed off that and are now saying September. Shouldn't he own the outcome of his invasion? Shouldn't he minimally admit miscalculation and invite a bipartisan solution prior to him leaving so the next president doesn't appear to have "lost" a war?
What makes you think we have "Lost" the war? This type of defeatist attitude is pathetic. In case you have forgotten, the President had the voting support of congress before going to war, something he doesn't even need.
[quote=Starchecker]LOL, I remember Hillary saying how upset she was that Bush had created this mess, and she was mad that she would have to clean it up.
QUOTE]
You are correct - she did say this. She also said this in a black dialect to a group of black people. Some how Hilary manages to blame shift and in a completely ebonic tone. Dems. seem to be pandering and grasping at every straw they can lately.
You are correct - she did say this. She also said this in a black dialect to a group of black people. Some how Hilary manages to blame shift and in a completely ebonic tone.[/quote]
Can you explain what black dialect is and give examples of her ebonics answers???
"
Shouldn't he minimally admit miscalculation and invite a bipartisan solution prior to him leaving so the next president doesn't appear to have "lost" a war?
"
Am I reading this incorrectly? Are you not insinuating that either Bush or the President following will lose the war? You are asking a question but inferring the outcome of US foreign policy decisions. If you do not believe the United States will lose the war I view that as a positive thing.
You are correct - she did say this. She also said this in a black dialect to a group of black people. Some how Hilary manages to blame shift and in a completely ebonic tone.
Can you explain what black dialect is and give examples of her ebonics answers???[/quote]
"We have ta reform our government. The abuses that have gone on in the last six years -- I don' think we know the half of it yet. You know, when I walk into the Oval Office in January of 2009, I'm afraid I'm gonna lift up the rug and I'm goin' to see so much stuff uh-nder thar. . . . You know, what is it about us always havin' to clean up after people? . . . But this is not just going to be pickin' up socks off the floor. This is going to be cleanin' up the government."
You may want to get a transcript of her speech from the National Action Network.
What I don't understand, congress (including Hillary, and many dems) voted for the war. Now that the war is unpopular, they are separating themselves from the war, and wont fund a war they voted for.
Did anybody going into this thing thinking this war would last only a few years? I’m sorry but we will be in Iraq for a very long time if we choose to finish the job. What would Iraq turn into if we decided to pack our bags and leave?
Why dont the americans just move everyone out and just take over the country ?
You are correct - she did say this. She also said this in a black dialect to a group of black people. Some how Hilary manages to blame shift and in a completely ebonic tone.
Can you explain what black dialect is and give examples of her ebonics answers???[/quote]\
Are you jivin' me, homey?
Yes - Hillary did that, and there was no mistaking it.
Bush Should Clean up Iraq before he leaves office
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