Will the White House allow Petraeus’ open testimony?
Will the White House allow Petraeus’ open testimony?
Today, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe dismissed a report by the Washington Post that claimed Bush aides were resisting the open testimony of Gen. David Petraeus. “General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker will testify to the Congress in both open as well as closed sessions prior to the September 15th report,” he said. “That has always been our intention.” Apparently, that message hasn’t been communicated to Congress:
[A]ides to Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., said negotiations between congressional leaders and the administration to open the hearings were still ongoing.
“We are in talks with the administration now,” Levin’s aide said, adding that Levin had been pushing for an open hearing but no agreement had been reached.
An aide to Foreign Relations Committee ranking Republican Richard Lugar of Indiana said his committee staff was communicating directly with Petraeus’ staff to discuss how the general’s views would be shared with members of Congress.
Lugar’s staff was not coordinating its efforts with Levin’s office, according to the aide, but neither office was under the impression that the White House had agreed to open testimony before Johndroe spoke.
UPDATE: Crooks and Liars notes that Chris Matthews called the “Petraeus report” for what it actually is — the White House report.
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So… We’ve got a few weeks – how about identifying the key senators/representatives and coaching them how to question these guys? Suggestions on questions, debunking probable administration talking points, getting numbers together etc? How bout it?
August 16th, 2007 at 6:03 pmNotice that it was White House spokesman John Doe that told us the Bushbot aides were resisting the open testimony of Gen. David Petraeus.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:04 pmWill the White House allow Petraeus’ open testimony?
Sure.
If he doesn’t mind being waterboarded.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:04 pmoh and have thinkprogress/mediamatters/kos/atrios/firedoglake etc etc (apologies for all of the other sites I’ve missed) deliver the package to the senators’ and reps’ chiefs of staff …
August 16th, 2007 at 6:05 pmWhat difference will any of this make? No one but the NeoCons, Faux NoNooz and a few blind tolls here believe anything that ever comes out of the WH anyway.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:06 pmThe fault of this misunderstanding belongs exclusively on the shoulders of the Demoncratic imbecile who’s obviously misrepresenting the WH’s position on allowing Petraeus’ open testimony. It’s not the WH’s fault that their straightforward message gets lost–or is intentionally mischaracterized by Dems–in the stupidity of committee chairman Carl Levin! Levin has no credibility here–and the WH is more believable in their claim of allowing Petraeus’ open testimony–because Levin is from the same party that already misrepresents the WH’s position on testimony concerning the US attorney firings. In that case, the WH has also repeatedly said that they’d provide Miers, Rove and anyone else–along with lots of documents–in closed-door hearings, yet Dems continue to allege the WH is not forthcoming. So, it follows that with Petraeus, too, the Demoncrats are accusing the WH of “secrecy” just to get their conspiracy theory base going.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:09 pmThe law requires both open and closed testimony. There’s nothing to negotiate.
http://rudepundit.blogspot.com/
August 16th, 2007 at 6:11 pmIran delivers strident note at Kyrgysystan summit
August 16th, 2007 at 6:11 pmNow if we can just get the general to write the report himself …..oh, sorry.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pmIt’s a stonewall. And Lugar is a stone. And the Democrats may be stones as well. Your goverment at work.
Can’t wait for election time. And neither can they, with all the money on the table.
Jeffersonian America has been thrown out for regean’s. And all will pay, pay,pay, except for the billionaires and the bushies.
War is their profit and their cache. And, your out of money?
Sorry State of Affairs!
August 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pm“Apparently, that message hasn’t been communicated to Congress”
“Apparently that message made people really mad so we changed our minds.”
There, I fixed it for them.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:14 pmThree traitors in an Iraq Quagmire, which one with the corporate media bless? Will it be Deadeye? Will it be Karl? Will it be Brush-cutter?
August 16th, 2007 at 6:15 pmalong with lots of documents–in closed-door hearings, yet Dems continue to allege the WH is not forthcoming. So, it follows that with Petraeus, too, the Demoncrats are accusing the WH of “secrecy†just to get their conspiracy theory base going.
Comment by Makeallprogressiveshumanshields — August 16, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Lots of documents, not all the documents, and then with all the important parts blacked out, in closed door hearings with no transcripts and no oaths and no ability to call them back in. All you humanshits should move somewhere like North Korea where your penchant for secrecy will be more appreciated.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:17 pmtaking bets?
mine’s “NO”
August 16th, 2007 at 6:19 pm.
Secrecy is the lifeblood of the fascist Bush administration.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:21 pmLots of documents, not all the documents, and then with all the important parts blacked out, in closed door hearings with no transcripts and no oaths and no ability to call them back in. All you humanshits should move somewhere like North Korea where your penchant for secrecy will be more appreciated.
Comment by shane — August 16, 2007 @ 6:17 pm
All anyone needs to remember, is the EP on the Tillman coverup. This is what completely uncovers the cesspool in the WH now. And that stench won’t go away until BushCo does.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:21 pm#6 “Demoncrats are accusing the WH of “secrecy†just to get their conspiracy theory base going.
Comment by Makeallprogressiveshumanshields — August 16, 2007 @ 6:09 pm”
This was satire…wasn’t it? If it was not satire, we now have a troll that is even more stupid than any other, if that’s possible.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:22 pm#6 sounds like an RNC representative blowing smoke to me. But let’s assume this idiot is sincere. Then I ask this imbecile: why won’t Bush officials testify under oath, on the record, in public? What are they hiding?
If this person really is sincere, I can only say that he is in for a world of hurt in the next few years as the crimes of his beloved Fuehrer are exposed.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:25 pmThis was satire…wasn’t it? If it was not satire, we now have a troll that is even more stupid than any other, if that’s possible.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 16, 2007 @ 6:22 pm
WOW! And the rover hasn’t even left yet. This will hit crisis mode real soon since they aren’t getting any new Talking Points from him.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:26 pmBy the way, #6, your handle “make all progressives human shields” indicates that you are a violence-advocating a*shole.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:26 pmAs for the content of the looming report, anyone who has ever used the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program knows what’s coming next. Americans should expect to see the old “Fill Right” trick. That is, when producing a long-term financial model or forecast, the Excel user in the absence of research, data, or just common sense, simply copies the value or formula from one cell (for, say, monthly or quarterly sales) to all the succeeding cells (months or quarters in ensuing years). The result is an impressive looking spreadsheet, but one whose projections are baseless and without foundation.
As the interim surge report made clear in July, President Bush like any failed CEO has been relying on the old fill-right gimmick since the Iraq war commenced. Starting in 2003, Bush simply selected the cell containing the phrase “We’re Making Progress” and filled right…
For a screen shot and more details, see:
August 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pm“White House to Author ‘Fill Right’ Iraq Report for Petraeus.”
Wow, #6 is just eaten up with ‘Gullible Dumbass Disorder’. A common affliction in those who still support this corrupt, fascist, un-American administration. The telltale sign of this disorder is the uncontrollable need to ignore facts and truths in order to form opinions.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:37 pmSo, it follows that with Petraeus, too, the Demoncrats are accusing the WH of “secrecy†just to get their conspiracy theory base going.
Comment by Makeallprogressiveshumanshields — August 16, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Truly impressive. Makes no sense whatsoever, but a truly impressive screed, and a desperate cry for help.
I guess we all know what KKKarl’s new “day job” is.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:38 pmFascist does get thrown around alot in here. Must be contagious.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:47 pmTruly impressive. Makes no sense whatsoever, but a truly impressive screed, and a desperate cry for help.
I guess we all know what KKKarl’s new “day job†is.
Comment by Empire Burlesque — August 16, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
More like a desperate cry for meds, and psychological counseling.
OT, no Petraeus will not be allowed to speak on record, before congress if Bush has anything to do with it.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:48 pmWatching the trolls in here trying to spin every obvious violation, crime and lie of the administration is like watching Dana Purina’s painfully convoluted contortions as she tries to explain away every screw up of the Bush administration to the White House press corp.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:49 pmIf the dems thought Petraeus was pawn of the White House why did they approve him?
August 16th, 2007 at 6:49 pmBy the way, #6, your handle “make all progressives human shields†indicates that you are a violence-advocating a*shole.
Comment by VerbalKint — August 16, 2007 @ 6:26 pm
We have known that for a long time. Just read all the previous posts. This troll has MAJOR anger management issues.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:51 pmFrom a person with no party affiliation. Much less a care for politicians, I find it amazing how smart and dumb Bush can be in alot of segments I have read.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:51 pmIf the dems thought Petraeus was pawn of the White House why did they approve him?
Comment by mizuno — August 16, 2007 @ 6:49 pm
Because all the honest and good ones left the military in disgust of the Chickenhawk Commander Guy.
Betrayus is about all that is left.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:53 pmupside00
Really…they all left and not one honest is in our military?
August 16th, 2007 at 6:57 pm#24, Mizuno. When the shoe fits…
I believe it was Mussolini that defined fascism as, “the merger of industry and government”. And that is exactly what has happened under BushCo. The detrimental effects that their policies and decisions have for the people of this country are of no concern to this administration. As long as their industry friends profit, it’s OK.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:03 pmCongress needs to assert the point that the Petraeus report is irrelevant, no matter whether it occurs in open or closed session. The key issue is whether any political progress is being made in Iraq, not military progress. Whatever progress Petraeus has to report is irrelevant if no political progress is being made, nor appears to have any hope of being made.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pmDid this not happen under the last administration and currently with some of our Congressmen?
August 16th, 2007 at 7:08 pmValid point…Deano. I do agree.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:09 pmWho cares? He’ll be studying for weeks before the testimony, memorizing what Cheney tells him to say.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:43 pmAs long as their industry friends profit, it’s OK.
Comment by WaltinTexas — August 16, 2007 @ 7:03 pm
That’s actually an accurate definition of “fascism”, Walt. Many people use the term wrong to describe any dictatorial system or individual. Mussolini did indeed define it the way you say.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:35 pmMussolini did indeed define it the way you say.
Comment by Empire Burlesque — August 16, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
-
So. Il Doucher borrowed the word from the ancient Romans.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:44 pmLOL General Petraeus is paid-off Bush flunkie, so who cares what baloney he will spew before the Congress. Most of it will be LIES.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:21 pmwonder if they’ll include this in their “surge is working and we’re making progress” report next month:
Baghdad
August 17, 2007
RESCUERS dug through the rubble of bomb-flattened buildings in northern Iraq yesterday as dazed and crying residents looked on.
The villagers were searching for loved ones following suicide attacks that killed more than 200 and injured hundreds more.
The toll appeared set to rise rapidly. Interior Ministry spokesman Brigadier General Abdul-Karim Khalaf said at least 400 were killed in the string of bombings. He estimated that two tonnes of explosives were used.
The victims were Yazidis, a small Kurdish-speaking sect that has been targeted by Muslim extremists. The US military said al-Qaeda was the prime suspect in Tuesday night’s co-ordinated truck bombings.
US officials said they feared al-Qaeda would launch a spectacular strike on civilians as the US Congress prepares to receive a progress report on the military and political fronts in Iraq.
The US military launched a large offensive in Iraq this week in a bid to thwart such attacks.
Even war-numbed Iraqis were stunned at the television scenes reminiscent of an earthquake zone. Bodies lay in the street covered in blankets. “This is a catastrophe that cannot be described in words,” said the Governor of Nineveh province, Duraid Kashmoula.
REUTERS
August 16th, 2007 at 10:21 pmThe White House doesn’t want Petraeus to talk in an open committee because they know what the reality of the surge actually is. The surge has failed and Bush would rather not deal with that reality in an open forum where democrats are likely to ask Petraeus questions he will have to answer honestly. Bush doesn’t want Petraeus to tell the truth.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:35 amI’ve got to wonder about testimony specifically “prior to the…report”. If there are questionable unsourced claims in the report, will Congress be allowed to get testimony from Petraeus after the report as well?
August 17th, 2007 at 12:16 pm