As Democrats See Iraq Gains, a Shift in Tone

[DeepModem Mom]

NYT: As Democrats See Iraq Gains, a Shift in Tone
By PATRICK HEALY
Published: November 25, 2007

As violence declines in Baghdad, the leading Democratic presidential candidates are undertaking a new and challenging balancing act on Iraq: acknowledging that success, trying to shift the focus to the lack of political progress there, and highlighting more domestic concerns like health care and the economy.

Advisers to Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama say that the candidates have watched security conditions improve after the troop escalation in Iraq and concluded that it would be folly not to acknowledge those gains. At the same time, they are arguing that American casualties are still too high, that a quick withdrawal is the only way to end the war and that the so-called surge in additional troops has not paid off in political progress in Iraq.

But the changing situation suggests for the first time that the politics of the war could shift in the general election next year, particularly if the gains continue. While the Democratic candidates are continuing to assail the war — a popular position with many of the party’s primary voters — they run the risk that Republicans will use those critiques to attack the party’s nominee in the general election as defeatist and lacking faith in the American military.

If security continues to improve, President Bush could become less of a drag on his party, too, and Republicans may have an easier time zeroing in on other issues, such as how the Democrats have proposed raising taxes in difficult economic times....

At the same time, there is no assurance that the ebbing of violence is more than a respite or represents a real trend that could lead to lasting political stability or coax those who have fled the capital to return to their homes. Past military successes have faded with new rounds of car bombings and kidnappings....

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us/politics/25dems.html?ei=5065&en=790f06535d9a5ea7&ex=1196571600&adxnnl=1&partner=MYWAY&adxnnlx=1195930847-xrlMleXS/EfHPOXHzQDwig

[ixion]

1. success... like those bombs that go off every day... and the living hell borne out by the Iraqis

yeah, some success. Thanks, Dems, for buying into the GOP talking points. :grr:

[mikehiggins]

2. When you really stand for nothing, you can fall for anything

So, the official "leadership" of the Democratic Party.

Do "gains" in Iraq justify what has gone before?

If you can say "yes" to that question, you are in the wrong place.

[Perry Logan]

3. It's poor mental hygiene to even read the New York Times.

[DeepModem Mom]

4. I respect, and understand, your opinion...

but must respectfully disagree. I post many articles and editorials here from the NYT, many of which end up on the Greatest Page. That's not to excuse or diminish its shortcomings, or Judy Miller, or its complicity in the hounding of Clinton and the Iraq war buildup, etc.

[zulchzulu]

5. Ethnic cleansing and cities turning into autonomous nation states makes for "less violence"

Just like getting rid of Maliki would do absolutely nothing and the fact that it's too late to have elections in the former Iraq, new standards on what is "sectarian violence" and the mass exodus of many Iraqis into neighboring countries makes the Occupation look "more calm".

Since the American troops are just one of many militia there in Iraq, it's time to start looking at starting the war in Iran...if only for ratings...

:sarcasm:

[madrchsod]

6. blowing up the pet market.....

pets are one of the few things left that the iraqi`s have left. they are one of the last living things that they can talk to and gain comfort from.the dehumanization of the iraqi people lives on.

[Brigid]

7. When diplomats start showing up for work in Baghdad . . .

then I'll believe things are getting better. I'm not buying it. Even if it's true that violence has declined, let's not forget what -- and who -- sparked it in the first place, and who's responsible for almost 3,900 American deaths in that quagmire. It was never worth it.