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George W. Bush, Iraqi Kingmaker

By Faiz Shakir on Mar 29th, 2006 at 12:28 pm

George W. Bush, Iraqi Kingmaker

President Bush, 3/10/06 :

One of the keys is going to be to get a unity government up and running, a government that reflects the diversity of the country. … We want the Iraqis to make that selection, of course. They are the ones who got elected by the people. They’re the ones who must form the government.

New York Times, today:

“Mr. Khalilzad said Mr. Bush ‘doesn’t want, doesn’t support, doesn’t accept’ Mr. Jaafari as the next prime minister, according to Mr. Taki, a senior aide to Abdul-Aziz al-Hakim, the head of the Shiite bloc. It was the first ‘clear and direct message’ from the Americans on a specific candidate for prime minister, Mr. Taki said.”




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55 Responses to “George W. Bush, Iraqi Kingmaker”

  1. Krazny Says:

    sure I support the Iraqi's in electing their leaders, as long as they elect the leaders I want.


  2. kindness Says:

    What happened to the other thread?


  3. Badmoodman Says:

    Bush must think that his 'signing statements' attached to legislation he signs also applies to public comments he makes. This guy's name should be Mulligan.


  4. Dem02020 Says:

    If what I think has just happened, happened, then I think I'm in perfect agreement, I think.

    (I'm glad I grabbed a copy, to peruse later on, after returning from a sunny day spent outside; feel free to destroy this post; and of course, should any member of your IMF team be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions; good luck)


  5. Southwest Bob Says:

    Not nation building is hard work!


  6. Mary Poppin Says:

    Bush does not have a right to decide who Iraq has for their PM.


  7. G.W.SuperChrist Says:

    This whole debacle has been one big charade.

    Forced Democracy... Hmmmmmm.

    Oxymoron? Perhaps.

    Ironic? Absolutely.


  8. bobcat_grad Says:

    Welcome to Democracy, Bush style: "You should have elections to vote for your leader. But if I don't like who you voted for, then I'll install who I want."


  9. Krazny Says:

    we blew the shit out of the country of course he has the right to decide who runs it.

    /sarcasm off

    does Bush not get that a government that is US approved will never survive in Iraq?


  10. Jesus Christ God of WAR Says:

    When you're King of America and Iraq, you can say and do just about anything you like.

    Heck of a job, Bushy!

    ITMFA now!!!


  11. WaltTheMan Says:

    Bush is trying to export the United States election process to Iraq - keep the electorate out of the selection process. Unfortunately, Diebold does not have a purple thumb dyer in their product offerings - it would leave a trail.


  12. GDM Says:

    Sometimes you have to go with the leaders that you have and not the leaders that you want.


  13. Joe Sixpack Says:

    Bush does not have a right to decide who Iraq has for their PM.

    Comment by Mary Poppin

    Don't you get it, Mary? Its hard work, being King.


  14. Mark Says:

    I know this is of topic, but in today's USA Today there is a fairly large insert. The insert is basicly a get to know us and love us advertisement from the Saudi's. The thing that caught me first was the large picture of George Bush holding hands with the new Saudi King. I know it has been done to death, but this shows how tight these people are that the Saudi's use Bush's image to sell themselves.


  15. cynicalgirl Says:

    He was for him before he was against him.


  16. Krazny Says:

    What happened to the last post?


  17. Zookeeper Says:

    #2 - I, too, am confused. I know it was there, but what was it?


  18. dlet Says:

    SInce Georgie can't be king in this country he wants one of his own in Iraq that he can play with. And if he doesn't get what he wants he'll huff and puff and hold his breath for a long time......hopefully for a VERY long time.


  19. bobcat_grad Says:

    What happened to the last post?

    Comment by Krazny

    A neo-conservative removed it in order to continue to claim that Democrats have no plan for Iraq.


  20. Gerald Gibson Says:

    What happened to the last post?

    Comment by Krazny

    The democrats had a plan ...before it disappeared...christ that sends a bad signal. I am sure the righties are going to be on here playing that one like a fiddle.


  21. Krazny Says:

    mostly disappointed, because I was having fun playing bash the troll with cod(piece).


  22. Gerald Gibson Says:

    http://www.rawstory.com/images/real_sec.pdf

    This is the democratic strategy pdf that was in that last post... I dont know if they were removing this or our replys...


  23. thot's Says:

    It got pulled its happened before.

    bush thinks he has a Mandate in Iraq .He thinks he has Political Capital in Iraq.he thinks he is ruler over Iraq and everyone else is just his servant.

    We really need to do something with this fella bush and co,altho' We The People just pay their Wages and Entitlements Package after they Retire we don't have the right under their New and Improved Version Of The Non-US-Consitution.


  24. dictionary.com Says:

    I dont know if they were removing this or our replys…
    it's ALL gone...
    "...that sends a bad signal."
    yep - i agree, gerald...
    what's up, TP ????!


  25. Zookeeper Says:

    #24 - Just because we're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get us.


  26. G.W.SuperChrist Says:

    Maybe the democratic leaders got the message and have since released a new and better plan for Iraq.. TP is just updating the post with these fantastic and completely original ideas.


  27. xsociate23 Says:

    Bush Philiosophy: Elections only matter when our guy wins.


  28. james risser Says:

    perhaps the puppet karzai can 'run' both countries...


  29. Mary Says:

    When,oh when are we going to get to the last straw?Like I said yesterday,self interest is the strongest motivater in this country.Is it because this atrocious injustice is not directly in our faces that we cannot get the boots and sports shoes and clogs on the ground?We little bunches of slaves can't march to impeach this administration for all this outrage against OUR planet?That is what the rest of the world is waiting for,us to take the matter into our own hands to fix it and all we get are giant talking heads and wimpy pols who do not have the slightest desire to derail their gravy train and a bunch of keyboard warriors chained to the internet(I bet one in a hundred of the immigration marchers have access).Yes,we the people,are cowed by authority and fear the almighty DEBT.Let the Iraqis choose their own fate,no matter how they go it will be better than what this punk is doing.


  30. Joe Sixpack Says:

    Not to change the subject here but I'm watching Bush on Live TV harping up his Iraq rhetoric.

    Boy, that guy needs a new hair stylist. Talk about a hayseed in need of a hairpiece.


  31. dictionary.com Says:

    TP would do well to offer an explanation of some sort...
    call it paranoid, i just want to know what happened...


  32. Zookeeper Says:

    #26 - That must be it! *sigh*


  33. David B Says:

    Gee, looks like the same story as Palistine. We want democracy, but we want it our way only. If not, we take our toys and leave the sandbox.


  34. Keith H. Says:

    Face the facts junior, YOU, are a major f-up.
    No go and play with your hot-wheels in the corner.
    We'll ask karl if we need any decisions made.


  35. G.W.SuperChrist Says:

    Bush has gotten himself into a good ol fashioned catch 22 situation.

    If he allows Mr. Jaafari to be the prime minister, then most of America, especially those on the right, will realize that democratizing Iraq was just not worth the cost.

    If he uses his influence to block him from this position, then he loses yet another excuse in as to why he just had to conduct this war... he won't be able to say to bring democracy to the middle east anymore.

    Boy - Sucks to be Chimpy these days!


  36. DrSinker Says:

    Anyone else spot that today W blamed the recent violence in Iraq on Saddam? It's all Saddam's fault. Check out

    http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/03/29/bush.iraq.ap/index.html

    Who knew that the nutjob in court was more powerful than the entire American democracy engine?


  37. kindness Says:

    33 - we'll crap in the sandbox AND THEN leave it....


  38. ANDY Says:

    dear ms morely, i will be out of town.


  39. paul Says:

    Democracy is on the march ... eyes right!


  40. I-RIGHT-I Says:

    "Haider al-Ubady, a spokesman for Mr. Jaafari, said the prime minister had received the ambassador's message and accused the Americans of trying to subvert Iraqi sovereignty."

    iIraqi sovereignty? That's some funny stuff. Just like in German and Japan, we'll tell you when you've earned the privilege of calling yourselves a sovereign people. Until then do exactly what we tell you or we'll get someone in there that will. It's really that simple.


  41. I-RIGHT-I Says:

    "Haider al-Ubady, a spokesman for Mr. Jaafari, said the prime minister had received the ambassador's message and accused the Americans of trying to subvert Iraqi sovereignty."

    iIraqi sovereignty? That's some funny stuff. Just like in Germany and Japan, we'll tell you when you've earned the privilege of calling yourselves a sovereign people. Until then do exactly what we tell you or we'll get someone in there that will. It's really that simple.


  42. Tundra Says:

    My only problem with is article is:

    Redha Jowad Taki is the only source listed as saying anything of substance in the article.

    He is/was also a member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)

    If you are unfamiliar with them they are a prominent Shi'a group who has forcibly taken control of towns near the Iranian border. They are also calling for an immediate withdrawl of US forces and a forced Islamic state.

    Others agree that Bush sent a message to Khalilzad, but do not discuss what was said, or what he said during the meeting.


  43. Tundra Says:

    Quoted from the Daily Kos

    http://descrates.dailykos.com/storyonly/2004/11/16/182026/63

    But notice what Taki has not said: He didn't condemn the invasion of Falluja. That's because it's in the interests of the Shia to have the U.S. kill as many Sunni insurgents as possible (while saddling Allawi with the political fallout)--since, after all, those Sunni insurgents will surely not look kindly on Shia domination of Baghdad.

    They don't seem to think very highly of the only guy to say it. To me he looks like the kind of guy that may stretch the truth a little or make assumptions for political gain.


  44. Marie Says:

    This has been a sham from the start. Democracy my ass.
    Bush wants his man in place, his government of puppets, and others who can be bribed or coerced. He never thought there would be a civil war and he never thought the fundamentalist shites would gain power.
    Bush never thinks - he can't - never learned how - won't listen - never had to - born a jerk in a family of selfish egomaniacs.


  45. Wills Says:

    I forget, how many leader changes did we go through in Vietnam before we finally gave up?


  46. Marie Says:

    Sigh.... Viet Nam redux.


  47. Bakeman Says:

    "Iraqi sovereignty? That’s some funny stuff. Just like in German and Japan, we’ll tell you when you’ve earned the privilege of calling yourselves a sovereign people. Until then do exactly what we tell you or we’ll get someone in there that will. It’s really that simple."

    Once again I-Right -I shows his total fvcking ignorance of the real world & how it works. 3 years on and the "strongest military" in the world hasn't been able to impose it's will on Iraq, even with the acquiessence of friendly Iraqi's. Once the Bush cabal loses it's friendly Iraqi's does I-Right -I really think the military will be in a better position to enforce it's will ? Does I-Right-I have the slightest idea of what the consequences would be to the region - and the US - by accepting his childish, delusional thinking on Iraqi "democracy" ?

    IRI get your head out of your ass and start interacting with other, actual people!


  48. Jay Randal Says:

    Bush has crowned himself the King/Emperor of America, so no surprise if he tries to be a kingmaker in Iraq too! But actually George is more of a stooge maker for Iraq > lol.


  49. purvis ames Says:

    I don't know who's doing the editing but apropos to people complaining about posts being removed, a comment I made on John McCain got "disappeared" the other day after going up.


  50. Tundra Says:

    3 years on and the “strongest military” in the world hasn’t been able to impose it’s will on Iraq, even with the acquiessence of friendly Iraqi’s.

    How many years before the rest of the world could convert the U.S to an Islamic state, Complete with Burkas and stoning rape victims. Even with friendly Americans supporting?


  51. Tundra Says:

    Iraq was relatively liberal and relatively secular for the arab world before our arrival.
    I would agree, provided you agreed with the ruling party. I have not met anyone (Not that a person does not exist) That believes you could speak out against the ruling party/demonstrate your dislike of policy or otherwise confront the humanity of decisions made by the ruler of the country.

    Burkas were more common in Afghanistan and in our ‘friends’ the Saudis.
    Accepted, but my original point was that if the rest of the world (everyone) wanted to change the US to a completely Islamic country would it take more than 3 years. We are asking a country to give up their beliefs about human rights, we are asking a country to recognize woman as citizens, we are asking a country to allow it's citizens the right to spreak their mind here. How long would it take to completely change all Americans to do a 180 degree turn? Suppress the right of free speech, suppress womens rights etc.. (Or should we even ask them to?)

    However our ‘rape’ of Iraqi prisoners in Abu Ghraib hasn’t made us friends.
    Yes, that in no way assisted us in our overall goal. It was an insult to the way we live and what we expect of nations we deal with and respect. It in no way helped us.


  52. Cyra Brown Says:

    #44, #51, #53- Tundra, many of the points you were making in your posts could just as easily be used to describe our current situation here in America. Just substitute BushCo for Iraq. And if you cannot see this, then I have to doubt your sincerity, as well as your sanity. And if what is occuring in Iraq, and has occured there, is disturbing to you, then the FACT that the same things are happening HERE and NOW, in our country, sanctioned by BushCo, should really frighten you. It frightens me. And choosing not to believe it, like with global warming, will not make it go away. If only it were that easy, that would be nice. But it's not gonna happen. And the really sad part is, they care as much about their "supporters", as they do about their "detractors". And it is no secret how they feel about us. You are just a "means to their ends". Something they can use to further their own ambitions. At least we know what they are all about.


  53. Vic Anderson Says:

    Some sovereignty!


  54. big papa Says:

    iIraqi sovereignty? That’s some funny stuff. Just like in Germany and Japan, we’ll tell you when you’ve earned the privilege of calling yourselves a sovereign people. Until then do exactly what we tell you or we’ll get someone in there that will. It’s really that simple.

    Comment by I-RIGHT-I #41

    THANK YOU IRI,

    You TREASONOUS, right wing, inbred, al Cracker a*shole...

    ...for providing us with the clearest possible answer to that nagging question you Bushite TRAITORS always pose...

    ..."Why do they (Islamic fundamentalists) want to kill us?"...


  55. Lud Says:

    Thank you Jesus for President Bush. A trillion dollars is well spent on creating a Mess(opotania) in VietRaq while taking away financial aid from no good liberal pointy-headed college-age children.

    Thank you Lord for Godly George Bush losing 8.8 billion in $100.00 dollar bills in VietRaq - it's only money.

    Thank you Lord for our glorious leader slaughtering 100,00 non-believing men, women and children as You (and Anne Coulter) have commanded.

    PRAISE JESUS!



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