Are the Democrats skipping briefings on Iraq? It seems so.
Michael Barone at RealClearPolitics:
What’s curious is that congressional Democrats don’t seem much interested in what’s actually happening in Iraq. The commander in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, returns to Washington this week, but last week Pelosi’s office said “scheduling conflicts” prevented him from briefing House members. Two days later, the members-only meeting was scheduled, but the episode brings to mind the fact that Pelosi and other top House Democrats skipped a Pentagon videoconference with Petraeus on March 8.
How long this fight will go on is unclear. Some Democrats predict that it will continue for months. But their dilemma remains the same. They want to be seen as acting to end the war. But they dare not be seen as not funding the troops.
There is quite some outrage over this, coming from the Right side of the blogosphere, and, to a degree, I can understand that. However, I also consider it to be, as usual, political / partisan posturing. However, Petraeus’ briefings should be absolute top priority. Leading Democrats should be forcing Petraeus to inform them about what is going on in Iraq, they should not try to duck his brievings. This is quite worrisome (and politically stupid may I add: once again the Democrats portray themselves as the party that’s more focused on losing than winning, or, they at least make themselves vulnerable for such attacks, which is equally stupid).
Also, perhaps even more so, interesting about the Barone article at RealClearPolitics is that the Democrats seem to be divided on the issue of Iraq. Pelosi has to try to bring both sides together.
H/t to Jules Crittenden.
Cross posted at my own blog.
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