A New Perspective on Iraq....Please read, Dems are playing with fire!

[Clarkie1]

Why Washington Is Playing with Fire
These are not clever times in Washington
Joe Klein

<snip>

indeed, the most effective Democratic criticism of the President's "victory" offensive came from two West Point graduates who had opposed the war, Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island and General Wesley Clark, and both took Bush to task for the skimpiness of the Iraq effort. Clark wrote a New York Times Op-Ed piece offering a thoughtful list of suggestions for a more successful prosecution of the war that he had opposed, including the deployment of more troops (which he would transfer from other regions). Reed pointed out that the President, despite his talk of limited success in the reconstruction of the cities of Najaf and Mosul, "didn't tell the American people how we're going to replicate that success in other parts of Iraq ... how many more teams of Americans, both military and civilian, need to go into these communities (and) what it will cost us." Most important was Reed's tone—quiet, humble, dispassionate, substantive.

Such sobriety seems beyond the reach of most Democrats. They make fools of themselves even when they speak the truth. The party chairman, Howard Dean, was not inaccurate when he said, "The idea that we are going to win this war ... is just plain wrong." If Dean had added the word militarily, most generals would agree with him. The trouble is, Dean—as always—seemed downright gleeful about the bad news. He seemed to be rooting for defeat. More subtle but no less feckless is the curious case of John Kerry, who has been calling for the withdrawal of 20,000 American troops as soon as the Iraqi elections are completed on Dec. 15. He has said this knowing full well that the Pentagon is planning to reduce the force by 20,000 after Dec. 15 as part of its normal troop-rotation schedule. One hopes he won't be so crass as to take credit for the drawdown when it occurs. But then Kerry—and many other Democrats—have been calling for a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops, based on progress in Iraq, as if that were some sort of bold and different idea. It isn't. It is precisely what the President has said he will do.

And now the Republicans are preparing to retaliate by running a vomitous television ad portraying Dean, Kerry and others as "retreat and defeat" Democrats, waving the white flag of surrender. In this holiday season, out of respect for the dead and wounded, and the enormity of the tragedy, wouldn't it be nice if all those rabid partisans—on both sides—just gave it a rest for a while?

http://www.time.com/time/columnist/klein/article/0,9565,1139778,00.html

[bryant69]

1. There is an element of truth in this

We tend to judge the message rather than how it is presented; we don't tend to care if they have their ducks in a row, so long as they have the general thrust right. It's not a good context for improvement in this area.

We should be as hard on Democratic spokesmen as we are on any Republican; harder really; since when they look like dimwits we all look like dimwits.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[BillZBubb]

2. Oh, please! We're supposed to take strategy lessons from Klein?

He's no friend of the Democrats. As a matter of fact, this is a typical hit piece. "Dean--as always--..." Yeah, Klein, as always couldn't pass up a chance to cheap shot the Democrats.

The Democrats problem is lack of a unified message. It's not what Dean or anyone else is saying per se--except DINOs like Holy Joe.

[Oversea Visitor]

3. The only roaring fire

is when its start gobbling up Americans youth for NOTHING.

The ruling class just do what they want.
As long as you are the cannonfodders and you dont resist.
You are CANNONFODDERS for them.

As for Dem playing with fire.
Well some make it bigger some try to put it out.
There is a fire.
It is killing the Americans youth.
So what are you going to do about it?
Wait for you children to be burn by it?

This war CANT BE WON.
You can throw in 50,000 Americans to be burn.
In the end you can never control Iraq.
Well unless you kill everyone of them.
The Iraqies you tarining now will one day fight American for their freedom.
Train them well, equiped them well. Maybe they can kill your children more effienctly.
The only way America can control Iraq is with brute force.
To be successful you need to make Saddam look like an ANGEL.
Good Luck America,
Thanks your chimp for your sorrow and good grace he brought onto you.

[stillcool]

4. As far as I am concerned...

Anyone who speaks the truth is golden. I don't care how they parse their words and would prefer plain language so that stupid fucks get it, especially those in the media.

[Gloria]

5. Dupe, posted in Editorials/Articles...although I'm glad someone

put it in GD. Hope they don't move it to ....Ed/Articles like they did on a story I posted recenty...

[mmonk]

6. This is a new perspective?

not

[heidler1]

7. Bush built this trap and sprung it on himself. We as cannon fodder were

bullied into jumping in to the trap too. Now Bush's next trick is to convince the voters that his stupid trap is not to be mentioned, but the method of getting out of the trap is the whole problem. Because Bush built the stupid trap Bush wants us to believe that he surely knows best as to how and when to get out (GO HOME). Well I for one don't think Bush even knows how to cover his own ass. Which is the reason that yeah leaving sucks, but staying with Bush in charge sucks way more.