Comments on: Top Intel Analyst Says Surge Is Failing, Kristol Counters It’s Going ‘Better Than Anyone Expected’ http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:53:43 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Bill Stearns http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-3/#comment-3953034 Bill Stearns Sat, 21 Jul 2007 15:35:39 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3953034 IMHO there is a strategy to his comments, and this is something that the antiwar crowd needs to be on the look-out and prepare for, although it will likely only play with the Republican base: they are preparing themselves for the post-defeat narrative. If once September goes around enough Republicans have defected that Bush has little choice but to change course and begin the troop drawdown, the Neocons vision will be more or less destroyed at that point, and they will need someone to blame for the Iraq failure, so they will be blaming (in part) (1) the antiwar Democrats and (2) the Republicans who defected. The narrative will be that Patraeus was on the road to victory until congress pulled the rug out from under him. This will only obviously work with the 20% or so echo chambers of the Republican base, but if not countered things like this can take on a life of their own and could eventually seep into the mainstream, so we need to start fighting this narrative right now despite its apparent absurdity. IMHO there is a strategy to his comments, and this is something that the antiwar crowd needs to be on the look-out and prepare for, although it will likely only play with the Republican base: they are preparing themselves for the post-defeat narrative.

If once September goes around enough Republicans have defected that Bush has little choice but to change course and begin the troop drawdown, the Neocons vision will be more or less destroyed at that point, and they will need someone to blame for the Iraq failure, so they will be blaming (in part) (1) the antiwar Democrats and (2) the Republicans who defected. The narrative will be that Patraeus was on the road to victory until congress pulled the rug out from under him. This will only obviously work with the 20% or so echo chambers of the Republican base, but if not countered things like this can take on a life of their own and could eventually seep into the mainstream, so we need to start fighting this narrative right now despite its apparent absurdity.

]]> By: InTheBunker http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-3/#comment-3941559 InTheBunker Tue, 17 Jul 2007 18:28:21 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3941559 William Kristol, the Weekly Standard's man behind PNAC; coveted by Cheney, Rummy, Bushie, and he has a real voice? Gimme a break! William Kristol, the Weekly Standard’s man behind PNAC; coveted by Cheney, Rummy, Bushie, and he has a real voice? Gimme a break!

]]> By: Probus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-3/#comment-3934977 Probus Fri, 13 Jul 2007 23:58:28 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3934977 Kristol has been so wrong on so many times in the past that he has no credibility left. We can no longer win this war. Our presence in Iraq has made us less safe and our presence is used as a recruiting tool by the insurgents who want us out of Iraq along with a majority of the Iraqi and the American people. The surge has clearly failed. It has failed because Bush still insists on his 'stay the course' failed policy. Any comparison between Iraq and the American civil war is wrong. The civil war was not a war of choice. The fate of our Union rested on its outcome. Lincoln didn't lie us into that war. Iraq is a war of choice. A war Bush didn't have to wage. Kristol has been so wrong on so many times in the past that he has no credibility left. We can no longer win this war. Our presence in Iraq has made us less safe and our presence is used as a recruiting tool by the insurgents who want us out of Iraq along with a majority of the Iraqi and the American people. The surge has clearly failed. It has failed because Bush still insists on his ’stay the course’ failed policy. Any comparison between Iraq and the American civil war is wrong. The civil war was not a war of choice. The fate of our Union rested on its outcome. Lincoln didn’t lie us into that war. Iraq is a war of choice. A war Bush didn’t have to wage.

]]> By: JImmy http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-3/#comment-3933068 JImmy Fri, 13 Jul 2007 09:07:16 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3933068 it is better than anyone has expected. i think kristol is right. coz this is what the insurgents in iraq would exactly say. i think kristol is their spokesman it is better than anyone has expected. i think kristol is right. coz this is what the insurgents in iraq would exactly say. i think kristol is their spokesman

]]> By: Fran http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-3/#comment-3931367 Fran Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:03:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3931367 That Krystol is smoking! He's smoking Krystol! And then there's CT_IV with his New Math. 0 + 0 = 0 That Krystol is smoking! He’s smoking Krystol!

And then there’s CT_IV with his New Math.

0 + 0 = 0

]]> By: kasinca http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3931144 kasinca Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:17:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3931144 An Bill Kristol has been right about the following in the past six years: NOT A FREAKING THING! An Bill Kristol has been right about the following in the past six years:

NOT A FREAKING THING!

]]> By: Matthew http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3931117 Matthew Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:11:12 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3931117 OK,this is just getting embarassing.I think i'm going to move to Costa Rica and burn my television,buy some jetskis to rent out and forget about this f****** mess our so called leader made.What a f****** joke. OK,this is just getting embarassing.I think i’m going to move to Costa Rica and burn my television,buy some jetskis to rent out and forget about this f****** mess our so called leader made.What a f****** joke.

]]> By: Zimzone http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3931101 Zimzone Thu, 12 Jul 2007 20:06:00 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3931101 Kristoll's balls are hanging on Dirty Dick's rear view mirror. Kristoll’s balls are hanging on Dirty Dick’s rear view mirror.

]]> By: Coffins draped with flags http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930842 Coffins draped with flags Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:55:56 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930842 If this surge is going better than anyone expected then Bill Kristol <strong>must be referring to the surge in sectarian violence and military deaths</strong> since January. If this surge is going better than anyone expected then Bill Kristol must be referring to the surge in sectarian violence and military deaths since January.

]]> By: Com_n_sense http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930797 Com_n_sense Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:46:33 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930797 Oh, I believe Old Liver Lips. I mean just because every single thing he's said to date has been wrong you have to figure he can't be wrong all the time. Right? So, the "surge" is working. And I'm Hugh Hefner. Oh, I believe Old Liver Lips. I mean just because every single thing he’s said to date has been wrong you have to figure he can’t be wrong all the time. Right?

So, the “surge” is working. And I’m Hugh Hefner.

]]> By: jwrjr http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930702 jwrjr Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:26:25 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930702 I guess that kristol was saying that everybody expected the splurge to fail worse than it actually did. An unpleasant thought, but since when did cheney/bush care in the slightest about the soldiers actually fighting in Iraq (and their families). I guess that kristol was saying that everybody expected the splurge to fail worse than it actually did. An unpleasant thought, but since when did cheney/bush care in the slightest about the soldiers actually fighting in Iraq (and their families).

]]> By: THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930687 THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:21:20 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930687 Way to go Kristol. You’ll prove those libs that you’re right yet again. .... Comment by Patrick1 — July 12, 2007 @ 11:22 am ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Well, <i>he</i> won't prove them wrong, reality will prove the Lefties wrong, and reality will prove that Kristol is correct. Kristol is aware of the various different nuances in the strategy that we are employing in Iraq. These emotional libs think if a little muslim boy dies, that means it's time to surrender! Way to go Kristol. You’ll prove those libs that you’re right yet again.
….

Comment by Patrick1 — July 12, 2007 @ 11:22 am

———————————————————————————-

Well, he won’t prove them wrong, reality will prove the Lefties wrong, and reality will prove that Kristol is correct.

Kristol is aware of the various different nuances in the strategy that we are employing in Iraq.

These emotional libs think if a little muslim boy dies, that means it’s time to surrender!

]]> By: margaret http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930638 margaret Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:07:09 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930638 So the real question becomes, not just how do we show Kristol up as a liar, but how do we nip this meme in the bud before it becomes “conventional wisdom” from our all-too-compliant news media? Comment by PaulB — July 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am I like the way you think Mr. B! These guys and their underhanded tactics need to be appropriately dealt with. We need to play hard ball and counter every deceptive effort on their part! Aggressively! No more nice liberals. The new liberals have HAD IT up to HERE with lies, spin, deception and manipulation. So the real question becomes, not just how do we show Kristol up as a liar, but how do we nip this meme in the bud before it becomes “conventional wisdom” from our all-too-compliant news media?

Comment by PaulB — July 12, 2007 @ 11:35 am

I like the way you think Mr. B! These guys and their underhanded tactics need to be appropriately dealt with. We need to play hard ball and counter every deceptive effort on their part! Aggressively! No more nice liberals. The new liberals have HAD IT up to HERE with lies, spin, deception and manipulation.

]]> By: Buckaroo Banzai http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930593 Buckaroo Banzai Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:54:03 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930593 In the same interview, Kristol had this to say: <em>"A Fox host then cited a new report that "al Qaeda ... is running from Iraq, apparently to Pakistan" and asked "did this report come out on purpose so that we will have the right ... to go after Pakistan now?" Kristol responded, "I think the president's going to have to take military action there over the next few weeks or months. ... Bush has to disrupt that sanctuary." "I think, frankly, we won't even tell Musharraf," Kirstol continued. "We'll do what we have to do in Western Pakistan and Musharraf can say, 'Hey, they didn't tell me.'" </em> Bush will do something in August during the Congressional recess and from the safety of his ranch. More war, coming soon... In the same interview, Kristol had this to say:
“A Fox host then cited a new report that “al Qaeda … is running from Iraq, apparently to Pakistan” and asked “did this report come out on purpose so that we will have the right … to go after Pakistan now?”

Kristol responded, “I think the president’s going to have to take military action there over the next few weeks or months. … Bush has to disrupt that sanctuary.”

“I think, frankly, we won’t even tell Musharraf,” Kirstol continued. “We’ll do what we have to do in Western Pakistan and Musharraf can say, ‘Hey, they didn’t tell me.’”

Bush will do something in August during the Congressional recess and from the safety of his ranch. More war, coming soon…

]]> By: spit take http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930592 spit take Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:53:59 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930592 <em>William Kristol: The ultimate water carrier for the Bush administration. I don’t believe he believes a word he utters.</em> Comment by Gregor Samsa — July 12, 2007 @ 1:31 pm Gregor Samsa hit it on the head. Kristol has become a BushCo clown. He really should appear on these talking heads shows with a red rubber ball nose and clown makeup. but he hasn't got that much integrity. William Kristol: The ultimate water carrier for the Bush administration.

I don’t believe he believes a word he utters.

Comment by Gregor Samsa — July 12, 2007 @ 1:31 pm

Gregor Samsa hit it on the head. Kristol has become a BushCo clown. He really should appear on these talking heads shows with a red rubber ball nose and clown makeup. but he hasn’t got that much integrity.

]]> By: espo http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930515 espo Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:34:54 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930515 too bad its not a military war; its an intelligence way with a political solution too bad its not a military war; its an intelligence way with a political solution

]]> By: Gregor Samsa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930500 Gregor Samsa Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:31:06 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930500 William Kristol: The ultimate water carrier for the Bush administration. I don't believe he believes a word he utters, but he expects to keep the 26%ers happy by telling them what they want to hear: "Yes, the surge is working... and don't forget to send your letter to Santa" William Kristol: The ultimate water carrier for the Bush administration.

I don’t believe he believes a word he utters, but he expects to keep the 26%ers happy by telling them what they want to hear:

“Yes, the surge is working… and don’t forget to send your letter to Santa”

]]> By: willyloman http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930481 willyloman Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:25:33 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930481 http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3 c-span 3 on Cheney's creation of new "secret" classification investigation. http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

c-span 3 on Cheney’s creation of new “secret” classification investigation.

]]> By: THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930467 THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thu, 12 Jul 2007 17:21:30 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930467 <b> Top Intel Analyst Says Surge Is Failing ???????????????????????????????????</b> He didn't say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Kristol is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TP, what the fuk?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!! Stop trying to turn these Leftists into SURRENDER MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Top Intel Analyst Says Surge Is Failing

???????????????????????????????????

He didn’t say that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kristol is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TP, what the fuk?!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!??!!

Stop trying to turn these Leftists into

SURRENDER MONKEYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Chocolate Jesus http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/comment-page-2/#comment-3930333 Chocolate Jesus Thu, 12 Jul 2007 16:48:29 +0000 http://edit.thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/fingar-v-kristol/#comment-3930333 > read the Milblogs for the real deal do you think the guys who run these blogs that you didn't give us links to have access to more information than the CIA Director Michael Hayden who says Iraq's government is a complete and irreversible failure? http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/thinkfast-july-12-2007/#comments > read the Milblogs for the real deal

do you think the guys who run these blogs that you didn’t give us links to have access to more information than the CIA Director Michael Hayden who says Iraq’s government is a complete and irreversible failure?

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/07/12/thinkfast-july-12-2007/#comments

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