Comments on: An Iraq War Roundup: The Surge ‘Window’ Begins to Close & Other Forever War News

By: Slamfu

Slamfu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:53:12 +0000

Well the main problem with the surge is the main problem with the war in the first place. Bush had a plan for the first step, and then we decided we'd wing it from there. Surge has apparently had some positive effects but now what? The same thing its been the whole war, wait it out and see if things change on their own in our favor somehow.

By: Slamfu

Slamfu — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:53:12 +0000

By: cosmoetica

cosmoetica — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 21:39:43 +0000

Shaun: 'To give credit where it is due, The Decider has played Pelosi, Reid and Company like a cheap violin.'

In order for even a moron like W to play an instrument, it has to exist, be a material thing.

The fact is the D's have been utterly nihil for decades. There is no 'there' there. This is what I've told many of my liberal leaning artist pals- the R's may be evil but the D's are nothing.

Nihility, in a political sphere, is as good as evil. I.e.- Nader was right- there is no difference between the 2 parties, save toe stenches they emit- foul or wretched.

Enjoy the flavor.

By: DLS

DLS — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:58:01 +0000

I believe the economy (we'll start to hear “Bush recession” frequently even if there is no recession) is the main thing that may help the Democrats. We're already tired of Iraq (and of the complaining about it, but that's not a big political issue).

By: Rudi

Rudi — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:59:45 +0000

DLS – If the surge collapses and Iraq goes back to the front page, 2006 will be small in comparison to the changes that might happen in 2008. A situation of a bad economy and Iraq as a non-victory(sorry Billy Kristol) will guarantee 60 seat in the Senate for a Democratic POTUS.

By: DLS

DLS — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 19:27:01 +0000

2006 was a thumbs-down on Iraq and on the GOP for being too Democratic (big D), not a mandate for the Democrats.

More important than Iraq currently is concern about the economy (made worse by all the recession hype). We now have had a “job drop” (reduction in employment); what will future Dem and GOP debates feature when it comes to the economy?

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120187204838635...

By: Rudi

Rudi — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 18:02:37 +0000

That is my impression also. I did an extensive search, at CNAS and over the Internets, but only found what appears to be a verbal quote. BTW – The Larison site is still down.

By: shaun

shaun — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 16:15:49 +0000

Rudi:

Ackerman references the Kahl remarks without providing a link. I have not been able to find one and have to assume that Kahl was interviewed by Ackerman.

By: Rudi

Rudi — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 15:59:04 +0000

Shaun -I didn't find the article by Kahl at CNAS, except for one prior to the September report.
http://www.cnas.org/en/cms/?1129
Could you provide a link, I'd like to compare the snippet you provide to the Cordesman report.

By: shaun

shaun — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:40:42 +0000

Archangel:

I have no magic potion. The Democrats have squandered their mandate in almost every conceivable way and not even a leadership change will make any difference. To give credit where it is due, The Decider has played Pelosi, Reid and Company like a cheap violin. Meanwhile people continue to die and many, many more will in the months and years to come.

By: elrod

elrod — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:35:31 +0000

No there there. The surge/awakening council strategy was a cobbled together marriage of convenience that only took into account factors on the Sunni side of the equation and only in the short term. It cannot last as long as Shi'ites in the government do not reach out and accept the Awakening movement into the military. Their refusal to do so will reignite the insurgency at full blast. Remember, the Sunnis rose up against Al Qaeda because AQ took over the insurgency and imposed draconian social codes. Also, AQI leadership was not based in the tribes. But Awakening Councils are nothing more than local warlord organizations. As in Afghanistan they will not keep peace over the long term.

By: John Mccain » An Iraq War Roundup: The Surge ‘Window’ Begins to Close & Other Forever War News

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:31:01 +0000

[...] The Moderate Voice – Domestic and international news analysis, irreverent comments, original reporti… wrote an interesting post today on An Iraq War Roundup: The Surge â??Windowâ?? Begins to Close & Other Forever War NewsHere’s a quick excerptAn Iraq War Roundup: The Surge ‘Window’ Begins to Close & Other Forever War News February 1st, 2008 by Shaun Mullen BAGHDAD BLASTS TODAY KILLED 64, SCATTERING BODY PARTS You don’t have to be a bloody genius to know that sooner or later the window of opportunity for Iraqi national reconciliation and a lasting reduction in sectarian violence as a result of the successes of the Surge would begin to close unless there was progress by the Baghdad government. Well, boys and girls, it would app [...]

By: Presidential election 2008 |Republicans Vs. Democrats » An Iraq War Roundup: The Surge ‘Window’ Begins to Close & Other …

Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:04:05 +0000

[...] Chris Durang wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptAnd didn’t you just love it when Hillary Clinton stood and applauded during the State of the Union speech when The Decider declared the Surge “a success” and got all wiggy last night during CNN’s Democratic debate when Obama called her … Read the rest of this great post here Posted by [...]

By: archangel

archangel — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:56:33 +0000

dear Shaun; First of all, the story behind your headline is literally sickening to the soul of anyone who has one.
re 'the spineless ones”… what would you have them say/ do, and which ones. I'd appreciate your thoughts. ONe would think the first thing would be for them to get mad; to use the energy of outrage to truly act… just my .02.
dr.e