Levin: Escalation’s Goals Have ‘Totally And Utterly Failed,’ Begin Withdrawal In Less Than 4 Months
Levin: Escalation’s Goals Have ‘Totally And Utterly Failed,’ Begin Withdrawal In Less Than 4 Months
Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, recently visited Iraq with Sen. John Warner (R-VA) and reported that the escalation is “totally and utterly” failing to produce the political reconciliation needed.
The media is reporting Levin’s comments as validation of Bush’s strategy. Fox News spins Levin’s comments as “praise” for the “surge results.” ABC claims the comments are proof of “success of the surge.”
In fact, in a conference call with reporters this afternoon, Levin conceded that the troop increase has “resulted in some reduced violence in some places in Iraq,” but specifically said the troop increase has not accomplished its stated objective:
[T]he whole purpose of the surge was to reduce violence so that the Iraqi leaders would have the breathing room to reach political settlement. That was the stated purpose of the surge.
Well, that purpose has not been achieved, even though the level of violence has been reduced in a number of areas. The purpose of the surge, by its own terms, was to have the — give the opportunity to the Iraqi leaders to reach some political settlements. They have failed to do that. They have totally and utterly failed.
Listen to a portion of his remarks here:
Arguing that political reconciliation will not occur under Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Levin called on the Iraqi parliament to replace him. “I hope that the Iraqi assembly, when it reconvenes in a few weeks, will vote the Maliki government out of office and will have the wisdom to replace it with a less sectarian and a more unifying prime minister and government.”
Levin and Warner met with Gen. David Petraeus for 2 hours. Levin said that the situation in Iraq necessitates that the U.S. begin troop reductions within four months:
[I]t is clear to me that the capability that the Iraqi military now has and will have by the end of this year will allow us to begin reducing U.S. forces significantly below our pre-surge level. We should begin that reduction within four months. The increased Iraqi capability will also allow us to move most of our forces out of Iraq by the middle of next year and to transition the forces that need to remain to perform missions away from the civil war. […]
I cannot believe, however, that the president is going to do anything less than reduce the level our troops to the pre-surge level, because the way in which our troops simply have been so stretched out that they have very little choice but to do that.
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Fox News spins Levin’s comments as “praise†for the “surge results.â€
OK — I give. What would Levin have had to say for Fox News to admit that Levin says the surge is a failure? Apparently, “they have totally and utterly failed” isn’t clear enough?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:12 pmThe Iraq war as we see it - Seven U.S. soldiers speak
BAGHDAD: Viewed from Iraq at the tail end of a 15-month deployment, the political debate in Washington is surreal.
A few nights ago, for example, we witnessed the death of one American soldier and the critical wounding of two others when a lethal armor-piercing explosive was detonated between an Iraqi Army checkpoint and a police one. Local Iraqis readily testified to American investigators that Iraqi police and army officers escorted the triggermen and helped plant the bomb. These civilians highlighted their own predicament: Had they informed the Americans of the bomb before the incident, the Iraqi Army, the police or the local Shiite militia would have killed their families.
http://www.iht.com/ articles/ 2007/ 08/ 19/ opinion/ ediraq.php
August 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pmWhile it is nice to hear Levin criticize the effectiveness of the surge, it is baffling as well as incomprehensible why Levin and other so-called anti-war Democrats do not emphasize the obvious, which is that this war/occupation has violated from the very beginning the UN charter, the Geneva convention, the U.S. Constitution, and the Nuremberg Principles, which emphatically state that wars of aggression are illegal. All other discussions about surges and other strategies thus simply become moot and adds another reason why this administration should be impeached as quickly as possible. If not, Iran could be next on their hit list. Support the troops-bring them home safely-now.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pmGood way to get ahead of the expected spin of ‘the surge worked so we can now begin withdrawal’.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:13 pmI shouldn’t have blasted Fox alone. ABC was just as bad, if not worse. What are these supposed journalists on, anyway?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pmWhat comment can we make on this twilight zone tragedy? Sen. Levin reports a failed surge and the press contorts his words into a successful surge. What looney is on first? Heaven help us because we can’t help ourselves.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:16 pmMSM is nothing more than puppets.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:18 pmHow much more clear could Levin’s comments have been? Was the transcript of his words distributed to the media devoid of some of his phrases like “totally and utterly failed?” Did anyone actually hear him or read the entire comment?
Levin could have been stronger: he could have reiterated the failure of everything in Iraq, the illegitimacy of the war, the incompetence of Bush&Co, and the cost in lives and treasure to the American public - even though he didn’t say everything I would have preferred, he was pretty clear with the “total failure.”
But much of the general public only hears/reads headlines and when the MSM completely fails at their job to provide information, it is no wonder why so many people don’t have a clue.
Levin and Warner both said that militarily, the surge has resulted in some tangible security improvements. That’s the part for the MSM and public consumption. The rest of Levin’s comments [about the political failures] are meant for our consumption, but will never see the full light of day.
Oh, and Warner ain’t gonna do shit when it comes time to vote.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:20 pmre#5
What are these supposed journalists on, anyway?
Comment by missmolly — August 20, 2007 @ 5:14 pm
That is what you get with corporate media, because if a journalist wants to keep their job, you have to “forget” that you are a journalist, and be an actor who sticks to the script.
Thank the Fates for the Pacific network!
August 20th, 2007 at 5:21 pmCorporate Media sucks.
Up = Down
Black = White
Totally and Utterly Failed = Success
Jesus F*cking Christ.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:22 pmOK — I give. What would Levin have had to say for Fox News to admit that Levin says the surge is a failure? Apparently, “they have totally and utterly failed†isn’t clear enough?
Comment by missmolly — August 20, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
Exactly what he said. It’s all about selective editing. First you select the positive words in his statement:
Then you string them together. As any fool can plainly see, Levin said, and I quote:
August 20th, 2007 at 5:22 pm“Well, that purpose has not been achieved, even though the level of violence has been reduced in a number of areas. ”
The problem with this is that even though the violence may be reduced in Baghdad, it has increased in other areas. It’s just a shell game. First the pea is over here, then it’s over there and now it’s back over here. There is no way we can win this shell game. The only “win” possible in Iraq is reconciliation between the various sects and they have to want to do it. We can’t force them with guns any more than we could force a democratic form of government on them with guns.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:23 pmCASUALTIES STARTING AUGUST 1st
Wednesday: 6 GIs, 1 Brit, 178 Iraqis Killed; 188 Iraqis Wounded
Thursday: 3 GIs, 116 Iraqis Killed; 76 Iraqis Wounded
Friday: 3 GIs, 22 Iraqis Killed; 13 Iraqis Wounded
Saturday: 1 Marine, 38 Iraqis Killed; 26 Iraqis Wounded
Sunday: 4 GIs, 116 Iraqis Killed; 49 Iraqis Wounded
Monday: 8 GIs, 123 Iraqis Killed; 131 Iraqis Wounded
Tuesday: 3 GIs, 1 Briton, 63 Iraqis Killed; 50 Iraqis Wounded
Wednesday: 93 Iraqis, 1 Briton Killed; 63 Iraqis Wounded
Thursday: 3 GIs, 2 Britons, 46 Iraqis Killed; 21 Iraqis Wounded
Friday: 81 Iraqis Killed, 89 Wounded
Saturday: 1 GI, 81 Iraqis Killed; 34 Iraqis Wounded
Sunday: 5 GIs, 1 Fiji Soldier, 57 Iraqis Killed; 37 Iraqis Wounded
Monday: 4 GIs, 41 Iraqis Killed; 20 Iraqis Wounded
Tuesday: 6 GIs Kille, 322 Iraqis, 412 Iraqis Wounded
Wednesday: 87 Iraqis Killed, 44 Wounded
Thursday: 3 GIs, 64 Iraqis Killed; 40 Wounded
Friday: 4 GIs, 34 Iraqis Killed; 65 Iraqis Wounded
Saturday: 32 Iraqis Killed, 46 Iraqis Wounded
Sunday: 125 Iraqis Killed, 78 Wounded
Sorry but i dont see any progress at all -
August 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pmThe problem with this is that even though the violence may be reduced in Baghdad, it has increased in other areas.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
If you can’t see it from the Green Zone, it doesn’t exist.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pm“Thank the Fates for the Pacific network!
Comment by criticalthinker”
And thank the fates for McClatchy. They are the only news organization who tells it like it is and doesn’t varnish the truth.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:25 pmCreative editing in the extreme. Democrats need to find a better way to speak in soundbites.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:26 pmOur military is broken therefore the surge is working. What is this administration trying to do? Destroy our nation?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:26 pmSen. Levin is known to shift and waver back and forth, on Iraq, so him saying this today can change tomorrow. He basically always caves to President Bush.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:26 pmwhats needed is an amnesty for insurgents and a US timetable for withdrawl
August 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pmAnd thank the fates for McClatchy. They are the only news organization who tells it like it is and doesn’t varnish the truth.
Comment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
NPR’s been pretty good, too - they don’t sugarcoat like most of the other news media.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pmI’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:27 pmCreative editing in the extreme. Democrats need to find a better way to speak in soundbites.
Comment by KELSO — August 20, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
This has been their problem for 30 years or so and isn’t going away any time soon.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:28 pmI’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
We have already lost in Iraq. That’s the kind of progress we should all be afraid of.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:29 pmAmnesty for insurgents would work - Los Angeles Times June 23, 2006
THE NEW IRAQI government is considering giving amnesty to some insurgents, including those who committed attacks against the United States, other coalition forces and the Iraqi military. It’s understandable that many U.S. soldiers and other Americans would find the idea offensive. Nevertheless, it is critical for the Bush administration to quietly back the proposal behind the scenes.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:31 pmHead in sand, repeating talking points…what a plan…way to go GOP….complicit press…troops exhausted. Argh! and some call this progress.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:33 pmIraq Amnesty Plan May Cover Attacks On U.S. Militar -
June 15, 2006
BAGHDAD, — Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on Wednesday proposed a limited amnesty to help end the Sunni Arab insurgency as part of a national reconciliation plan that Maliki said would be released within days. The plan is likely to include pardons for those who had attacked only U.S. troops, a top adviser said.
THIS IS WHATS NEEDED AS PLANNED BEFORE
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2006/ 06/ 14/ AR2006061402432.html
August 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pmI’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Why do you say that?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:34 pmWe have already lost in Iraq. That’s the kind of progress we should all be afraid of.
Comment by toasterhead — August 20, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
There was nothing to win after we invaded, other than the oil, so in that snese, Cheney and Big Oil lost, not the US military. They were never in a battle to win anyway.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:35 pmWell, well… I’m reminded of Gomer Pyle: “Surprise, surprise, surprise.” Who didn’t see that coming?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:37 pmTHIS WOULD BE THE START - amnesty for Insurgents and national reconciliation program
The Bush administration is pressing the Iraqi government of Nouri al-Maliki to issue a “broad†and “painful†amnesty for insurgents in spite of intense opposition to the proposal from politicians both in Iraq and the US, according to a senior administration official.
Amid growing anxiety in Washington over Iraq’s escalating sectarian violence, the US is advocating more determined moves towards a national reconciliation with the Sunni community that dominates Iraq’s insurgency. It also wants a tougher line on the Shia militias.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:37 pmI love it….
how the left wing machine spins, spins and spins some more!
1) Democratic leaders have constantly being saying that we had lost the war in Iraq since the violence there was so high and so many people were dying.
2) Now that the violence is down and it is looking like the surge is working, Liberals and Democrats are going crazy and moving thre goal post. They want Iraq to achieve in a few weeks what tooks the USA decades to achieve. A well oiled working government. Anyone remember what happened after the american revolution? did we get a Constitution a few weeks after the American Revolution finished?
3) Democrats can’t get anything done in Congress and there is now war in the USA, yet they expect their counterparts in Iraq to get more done while the country is at war. hmmmmm…….
Amazing how the Democratic party is terrified of good news coming out of Iraq and making the USA look good, making our military good look, right?
Of course it all boils down to the fact that if America and our military look good in Iraq, President Bush and the Republicans will also look good and we know the Democratic party, right? Politics before country. Can’t allow the opposition to look good even if it means saying that our military has been defeated in Iraq, right Liberals?
how truly sad….
August 20th, 2007 at 5:39 pmI think Bush went to Baghdad to bend over Maliki’s desk
August 20th, 2007 at 5:39 pmI want to lose my scholarship to Regent University so I can blame it on liberals.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:41 pmI’m really to lazy and overweight to go to classes anymore, but no one needs to know…
“I’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
Comment by m12″
Oh mommy12 is here. It’s about the right time since his summer camp let out at 2:00.
So mommy12, what difference does any military progress in Iraq make when there is zero political progress being made. Without a reconciliation between the various sects, nothing is ever going to change in Iraq. Besides, there’s less violence in Baghdad, but more violence elsewhere in Iraq. Net gain - Zero.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:41 pmI’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Just another example of not dealing with the argument but rather throwing out an illogical comment meant to polarize all discourse. Neither side wants to lose but there needs to be real discussion of what a win in this region would mean and our we ready to put the money and troops in to do that or if we need to stand down and let the Iraq civil war come to its logical conclusion without American soldier fatalities. Calling either side unamerican or unpatriotic or any of a myraid of names is not dealing with the issue at hand and is definitely not supporting the troops on the front line.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:42 pmFOUND IT >>>> HEY TROLLS LOOKY HERE July 20, 2007
Amnesty for Insurgents Signals Failure of Escalation Strategy
The news that the American military is granting informal amnesties to local insurgent groups in Iraq is just the latest evidence of the failure of the Bush administration’s latest escalation strategy. The tactics on the ground represent a tacit admission that U.S. forces are unable to secure the country on their own and are now arming all sides in an escalating sectarian conflict in Iraq. The situation calls for a strategic reset in Iraq, including an immediate end to the unconditional arming and training of Iraqi security forces.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/07/amnesty.html
August 20th, 2007 at 5:42 pmThe news that the American military is granting informal amnesties to local insurgent groups in Iraq is just the latest evidence of the failure of the Bush administration’s latest escalation strategy.
HEY TROLLS BUSH GIVING AMNESTY TO INSURGENTS WHAT YA SAY ABOUT THAT ……………… er well nout
August 20th, 2007 at 5:44 pm“Support the troops-bring them home safely-now.
Comment by Erroll — August 20, 2007″
It ain’t going to happen. We’ll be there for decades.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:44 pmI’m sure that’s what Levin wants….they want us to lose in Iraq and are afraid of the military progress we have made.
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
yeap, Levin and the Democratic party are terrified about good news coming out of Iraq.
the Congress Majority Whip is on record saying that if in the Sept. report there are good news out of Iraq, the Democratic party will be in a lot of trouble.
this is already happening and the Democratic politicians are trying to do a premptive strike on this positive report by now moving the goal post and descrediting the report before it even comes out.
Just remember, good news for the USA means terrible news for the Democratic party.
Good news for our military is terrible news for the Democratic party.
The fact is that Democrats claimed that the Iraq War was lost because of the level of violence, now that the level of violence has decreased they claim the surge is a failure because politicians in Iraq haven’t done anything.
If we follow this logic, then the Democratic led Congress is also a failure, right?
I mean, Liberals excuse the Democratic led Congress doing nothing by saying that the the Republicans have blocked them from doing anything. Yet they won’t excuse the Iraqi politicians who are trying to carry on a government during a time of war. Incredible! how hypocriticall of the Liberals and how typical!
August 20th, 2007 at 5:44 pmThe story highlighting these informal “handshake agreements” with insurgents in today’s Washington Post notes that the deals typically include three steps: an agreement to stop attacking U.S. and Iraqi forces, a pledge to fight against Al Qaeda in Iraq, and finally an attempt to get these insurgent groups to join the Iraqi security forces. It is this last piece—bringing Sunni and Shi’a insurgents who have killed their fellow Iraqis as well as U.S. servicemen and women into the Iraqi security forces
August 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pmWill you give me amnesty when Cheney, Rove and Bush are in jail, and I am penniless, homeless, and don’t have an internet connection anymore?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pmI promise I won’t say bad things about people I don’t know, or mock their point of view, or make up things that aren’t true.
“It ain’t going to happen. We’ll be there for decades.
Comment by michael — August 20, 2007 @ 5:44 pm”
Says WHO?????
I can’t wait for the WAR CRIMES trials to start……. If our troops are still there when that happens then I would bet that who ever is in charge then will begin pulling them all out……..
Don’t think that WAR CRIMES is possible??????
Germany and France have already started the process……
August 20th, 2007 at 5:47 pmSupport the troops-bring them home safely-now.
Comment by Erroll — August 20, 2007″
It ain’t going to happen. We’ll be there for decades.
Comment by michael — August 20, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Why SHOULD we be there for decades? If we do end up with permanent bases in Iraq, Michael don’t you think it will create more hate directed towards the US and will lead possibly to more terrorism at home?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:49 pm“It ain’t going to happen. We’ll be there for decades.
Comment by michael “
Not if the Democrats are elected. Because if they are, and they don’t get us out of Iraq (I mean really out of Iraq, no permanent bases and no Embassy) then they will be killing the Democratic Party the way that Bush has destroyed the Republican party.
I think the solution to our political polarization is to do away with political parties all together.
Have open primaries based on popular vote where everyone votes on the same day and they all vote for the top 10 candidates that got XXX number of signatures on petitions of support. Then, have the general election, again based on popular vote, from the top four vote getters. The top four would choose their running mates.
That way candidates would not be marginalized by the press as not being “presidential” if he/she could get enough people to back them.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:50 pmI can’t wait for the WAR CRIMES trials to start……. If our troops are still there when that happens then I would bet that who ever is in charge then will begin pulling them all out……..
Don’t think that WAR CRIMES is possible??????
Germany and France have already started the process……
Comment by RemoveBush —
I agree.
Bush, Cheney and their PNAC masters are TRAITORS to the USA who deserve to be in Gitmo and TORTURED for their WAR CRIMES.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:51 pmComment by bilbobaggins — August 20, 2007 @ 5:50 pm
ummmn yeah don’t like that idea with 10 candidates the person getting the most votes could get as little as 11% and rule over the other 89% of people who didn’t vote for him. At least with 2 parties you get a majority even if it is only a majority of the voting public.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:52 pmUnfortunately Michael at #37 may be right since the imperialistic United States is building 14 permanent military bases and a giant embassy in Iraq. All the more reason to vote for Kucinich.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pmIt ain’t going to happen. We’ll be there for decades.
Comment by michael — August 20, 2007 @ 5:44 pm
Why do you say that? Who told you?
August 20th, 2007 at 5:56 pm“We have to get all the troops out, all of them,” Richardson said. “Our kids are dying. Our troops have become targets.”
He challenged Clinton and others to say how many troops they’d leave in Iraq. “Is it 25,000, 50,000, 75,000?” he asked.
None responded with specific numbers. But most of the candidates — except Richardson, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio and former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska — have said they would leave forces behind to protect the U.S. embassy, launch attacks against terrorists, or train Iraqi forces.
“This war must end, but there’s much more at stake as to how it ends,” said Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del. “If it ends with this country splintering, we will have, for a generation, our grandchildren engaged in a regional war that will be consequential far beyond Iraq.”
He said he’d keep troops in Iraq to protect civilians. He also wants to separate the three factions of Iraq — Sunnis, Shia and Kurds — and cites as an example the use of U.S. troops in the Balkans to keep warring factions apart there.
“This is going to take awhile,” Clinton said, dismissing prospects of a quick withdrawal. “This is going to be very dangerous and very difficult. A lot of people don’t like to hear that.”
She didn’t say how many troops she’d leave in Iraq.
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/homepage/story/19051.html
August 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pm“Comment by Erroll — August 20, 2007 @ 5:55 pm”
It’s a little hard to build something without having it financed…….
PROBLEM SOLVED….
Next issue??????
August 20th, 2007 at 5:58 pmUnfortunately Michael at #37 may be right since the imperialistic United States is building 14 permanent military bases and a giant embassy in Iraq. All the more reason to vote for Kucinich.
Comment by Erroll — August 20, 2007 @ 5:55 pm
I thought it was pretty telling one Gallup poll said 58% would vote for any democratic candidate regardless of who it was. Kucinich I think would be a great choice he was one of the only ones who didn’t follow the chearleading to vote for the war in Iraq and that was hard to come by on both sides of the aisle and from the press as no one was questioning this war in 2002.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:00 pmI used to go hang out by the university chapel, and everybody liked me ’cause I told them George and I were good buddies, and that George would protect us from the turrists if we would just accept him in our hearts as Dear Leader.
Now even they don’t believe anything I say.
‘Cause they don’t believe in George anymore.
I wish I could stay, and continue my religious studies.
It’s fun to believe in something that I don’t have to prove, or even come up with any evidence for.
It’s so easy!
But everyones leaving, and I don’t want to have to go back to the basement where I grew up….. what am I going to do?
August 20th, 2007 at 6:00 pm“This is going to take awhile,” Clinton said, dismissing prospects of a quick withdrawal. “This is going to be very dangerous and very difficult. A lot of people don’t like to hear that.”
She didn’t say how many troops she’d leave in Iraq.
But she said in a speech this summer that she’d keep U.S. troops there to train Iraqis, might deploy U.S. troops to the Kurdish North and would send special units to attack al-Qaida and other terrorist groups in the region.
Obama also didn’t specify how many troops he’d leave there, but has said he would leave “a limited number” of troops to “to engage in counter-terrorism and to continue the training of Iraqi security forces.”
Former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina did not commit during the debate. But in a May speech, he said he’d keep forces close. “Once we are out of Iraq,” he said, “the U.S. must retain sufficient forces in the region to prevent a genocide, deter a regional spillover of the civil war, and prevent an al-Qaida safe haven.”
August 20th, 2007 at 6:00 pmWell of course an increase in the number of troops has a good chance of quelling the violence in some areas. But as Levin stated, that was NOT the main intention of the surge. Had we invaded with the number of troops that Shinseki called for in the beginning, we would likely have already been out of there. But Bush & Co. didn’t want that.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:01 pmI thought it was pretty telling one Gallup poll said 58% would vote for any democratic candidate regardless of who it was. Kucinich I think would be a great choice he was one of the only ones who didn’t follow the chearleading to vote for the war in Iraq and that was hard to come by on both sides of the aisle and from the press as no one was questioning this war in 2002.
Comment by chad — August 20, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Yeah, but so many of the Republican candidates look and smell better…
(snark)
August 20th, 2007 at 6:02 pm“But Bush & Co. didn’t want that.
Comment by WC — August 20, 2007 @ 6:01 pm”
Of course not……..
In CHAOS they could STEAL!!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 6:03 pmTo the troll above:
Why would you accuse Levin (and/or anyone else) of ‘wanting to lose’ in Iraq unless wanting something that is bad for everyone to happen because it would profit you in some way is how you think? Is it how you think? Because if I’m not mistaken that type of mind set is not considered healthy or normal. If you have health insurance, and if that health insurance includes mental health care, I suggest you call someone. Otherwise I guess you’re SOL.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:04 pmLevin is right. The surge has failed to deliver what it promised. Bush said in January it would allow Maliki to make political progress yet that has not happened. The MSM is only trying to prevent the inevitable. The American people are not stupid, it is clear that the surge has not achieved its objectives. Neither Bush or the MSM can change the reality. We need to get troops out of Iraq ASAP. Bush should set a date to get all troops out.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:13 pmFor the real story, here is the only link you need:
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293815,00.html
While being decidedly negative on Maliki and his government (which I agree), Levin and Warner are amazed at how well the Iraqi military has come along, which would allow our military to start pulling out late next year.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:42 pmlefty spin at it again, levin and warner both praised the security the surge has successfully brought to iraq. yet when good news like that is heard, liberals begin to cry, knowing that they are politcally wed to troop deaths for their own political success. why cant the left stop wishing for bloodshed and instead unite behind the only commander and chief, rather then continue their ‘rooting for the enemy so hillary can win’ strategy.
August 20th, 2007 at 6:56 pmnews flash, america cannot impose politcal solutions on the democratic iraq gov’t. all we can do is provide security and protection until they get up and running, which has been declared a success by even democrats in the congress. just repeating over and over ‘we need a political solution’ doesnt make the process move any faster. we cant get any major reforms passed in this country, and we dont have suicide terrorists blowing up in the capital every other day. but of course, logic escapes the left, because all they care about is the bottom line: political victory. thats all reid cares about (we’re gonna win more seats because of war woohoo, he was overheard saying) and thats all the candidates care about(hillary was the first to declare how for the war she was when saddam was captured, how times have change, well not times, just polls). democrats trying to build political success on the blood and broken bones of our troops, which is why 08 will be a republican year, hopefully, you people will deal with it better this time around.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:00 pmComment by liberals destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Righty spin spin spin.
LEVIN
And this is such retarded horsesh!t, without any basis in fact at all, that it’s not worth responding to:
why cant the left stop wishing for bloodshed and instead unite behind the only commander and chief, rather then continue their ‘rooting for the enemy so hillary can win’ strategy.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:00 pm… of course, logic escapes the left…
Comment by liberals destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
If what you were spouting was what you call logic, then it certainly does escape me.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:04 pmPoor conservatives. All they want is for us to watch FOX news for the “real story” and “unite behind the only commander and chief.” Is that too much to ask?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:05 pmwhich is why 08 will be a republican year, hopefully, you people will deal with it better this time around.
Comment by liberals destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 7:00 pm
Hee hee. Republican year? That must be why Republican approval numbers are in the toilet across the board. You’re certifiable.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:05 pmIs “commander and chief” a real position? Or two real positions for that matter?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:06 pmWatch for the confluence of Holocaust Memorial Ceremonies at the White House to coincide with both 9/11 Memorials AND the Patreus LIE.
The criminals are so brazen as to flaunt it.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:09 pmwhy cant the left stop wishing for bloodshed and instead unite behind the only commander and chief, rather then continue their ‘rooting for the enemy so hillary can win’ strategy.
Comment by the 28%ers destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 6:56 pm
Really? How so?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:09 pmEggregious:
Can you see this post?
This blog has a feature that prevents virtually everyone but the poster from viewing their posts.
Can you view this one?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:11 pmEggregious:
Can you see this post?
This blog has a feature that prevents virtually everyone but the poster from viewing their posts.
Can you view this one?
Comment by plunger — August 20, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
I cannot see this post.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:12 pmgummitch
bush approval 33%
democrat congress 16%
support for the surge up 8%
hillary clinton negatives: highest in the history of campaigns!!!
silly lefties
August 20th, 2007 at 7:13 pmLevin and Warner are amazed at how well the Iraqi military has come along, which would allow our military to start pulling out late next year.
Comment by Jason Misogynist Hendler — August 20, 2007 @ 6:42 pm
Whaazdat you say? Amazed, and in awe, as in awesome? Well, let’s look at the actual article from Fox, my little 40 year old virgin:
The two reported that they are encouraged by the effects of the recent U.S. military surge there, but their enthusiasm is tempered by concerns about Iraq’s political climate.
Encourage=Amazed?? Only an Ivy League, Stanford graduate with DSBU would equate those.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pmHee hee. Republican year? That must be why Republican approval numbers are in the toilet across the board. You’re certifiable.
Comment by gummitch
“After being virtually tied with Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton for several months, Republican contender Rudy Giuliani now leads Clinton up 47% to 40% in the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey”
silly lefties
August 20th, 2007 at 7:15 pmHonestly, plunger, I can’t see it anymore.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:16 pmhillary clinton negatives: highest in the history of campaigns!!!
silly lefties
Comment by my mom’s boyfriends destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Really? How so?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:17 pmRepublican contender Rudy Giuliani now leads Clinton up 47% to 40% in the latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone surveyâ€
Comment by mullet-heads like my stepdads destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 7:15 pm
Really? Who was suveyed?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:19 pmdrxj,
42 percent of registered voters have an unfavorable view of Mrs. Clinton
that is the highest ever for a major party candidate at the beginning of a campaign, and it has gone up as the campaign goes on. historically, unfavorables always increase during the campaign season, considering the longer season this year, its not out of the realm of possibility that her unfavorables could end up in the mid 50s or even 60%!!! no one has ever one with numbers like that, ever!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pmwhy cant the left stop wishing for bloodshed and instead unite behind the only commander and chief, comment by liberals destroyed america
So how is Rudy gonna reduce the bloodshed? Seems to me he wishes for more troops? Right?
Could you explain your Orwellian logic here?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:21 pmClinton’s unfavorables have always been high and are currently at 52%
can you say 60% by the end of the year!!! hahahaha and she is your BEST candidate hahahahahaha
oh man if rudy gets the nomination it will be an electoral nightmare for the libs!!!
August 20th, 2007 at 7:24 pmoh man if rudy gets the nomination it will be an electoral nightmare for the libs!!!
Comment by wearing my sister’s undergarments destroyed america — August 20, 2007 @ 7:24 pm
Really? How so?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:27 pmhttp://apnews.myway.com/ article/ 20070820/ D8R51IA81.html
the truth about liberals and the real agenda, how their political success is wed to iraq failure and troop deaths, the sad reality of the desperate democrat party….
August 20th, 2007 at 7:31 pmMaybe we can send this chump to Iraq!
http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0807/448937.html
Congressman Charged With Assault
Rep. Bob Filner is facing an assault and battery charge after an incident at Dulles Airport where he allegedly pushed an United Airlines bag claim employee as first reported by ABC7/Newschannel 8.
Filner, a Democrat from California, allegedly attempted to enter an employees-only area on Sunday night.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:37 pmthe truth about liberals and the real agenda, how their political success is wed to iraq failure and troop deaths, the sad reality of the desperate democrat party
The reality is you want more troop deaths by more surges, Idiot. All the Righty Nixonians want more war. More war equals more troop deaths you silly righty submissive that wishes for more bloodshed.
The pathetic reality of the Conpervvatards
August 20th, 2007 at 7:39 pmMaybe we can send this chump to Iraq!
Senators don’t go to war m12, this aint the Roman days.
Nice Try. Allegedly. You do know what that means don’t you?
August 20th, 2007 at 7:43 pmCan you view this one?
Comment by plunger — August 20, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
I cannot see this post.
Comment by Egreggious — August 20, 2007 @ 7:12 pm
LOL! Good one! Thanks.
August 20th, 2007 at 7:53 pmMaybe we can send this chump to Iraq!
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007
You’ll have to send him by boat, maybe pack him in with the overdue MRAPS and bodyarmor.
August 20th, 2007 at 8:01 pmFilner, a Democrat from California, allegedly attempted to enter an employees-only area on Sunday night.
Comment by m12 — August 20, 2007 @ 7:37 pm
WTF does this have to do with this thread? Are totally ADD?
August 20th, 2007 at 8:02 pmThe Pentagon already has made up plans to start withdrawing US troops THIS year ! And I think mr. Levin has knowledge of these plans !
August 20th, 2007 at 8:05 pm“Check please!”
August 20th, 2007 at 8:52 pmLevin’s a loser. At least he agrees with Reid the war is lost.
Dem’s slogan: All losers all the time you decide.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:23 pmI have read the TP evaluation of the levin warner report and I have to say that in this old mans opinion, you folks at TP are so wrong that it is embarassing. I have been a writer of comments since the beginnings of TP and have in almost 95% of your postings bee totally supportive and a great booster of TP.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:31 pmNot this time. What levin has done will reverberate for one hell of a long time. he has simply cut off our legs and has destroyed any chance of a somewhat unified approach to destroying the bush legacy of lies and deciepts!!!!!!!!!
I have read and reread the pdf version of levins comments and I have really tried, really — and there is just no way that this sob is supporting anyone but bush.
I say- shame levin, SHAME on you
billjpa@aol.com.
Comment by liberals destroyed america #76
Comment by Bob #82
…proof positive the Afghan poppy crops…
…are back with a vengeance…
August 20th, 2007 at 9:35 pmThe Commander in Chief and his administration committed a crime against humanity.
This invasion was wrong from the beginning and until we as Americans restore justice and our constitutional form of government we will be paying for it in blood and treasure.
Democrat for Ron Paul
August 20th, 2007 at 9:36 pmDem’s slogan: All losers all the time you decide.
Rapeublican’s slogan: We are TRAITORS to the USA!!
Fox “news”: Just don’t call it “news”.
August 20th, 2007 at 9:44 pmOh, Christ, your tag itself assures me that you have no credibility, Democrats for Ron Paul. Gee, let’s support a racist Adam-Smithian pig!!! Can we, please????
August 20th, 2007 at 10:11 pmLets get rid of SS and Medicare!!!! We are Democrats for Ron Paul. I thought Naderites were stupid but at least he actually WAS a lefty.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:12 pmReminds me of the Living Colour song “Cult of Personality†except for the fact that Paul doesn’t have one.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:19 pmComment by upside00 — August 20, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
For some reason, TP didn’t post this news story….
August 20th, 2007 at 10:42 pmm12, you failed to post a link. Was it to the National Enquirer…or the NY Post???
August 20th, 2007 at 10:45 pmMust have been the Post.
August 20th, 2007 at 10:55 pmAs an independent I personally do not prefer Clinton as the Dem candidate - but will vote for her over any stupid immoral Republican.
They all lie, case in point a Bush boot licker above posted that Clinton is losing to the a-hole Giuliani. Not true, when the facts do not support their position they just LIE.
http://zogby.com/news/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1338
Levin is at best a moderate dem, and at worse a Israely toady. But even with the right wing spin, it is amazing how the slightest support for this predictably horrific occupation is hailed by the right wing nut jobs that post here. Burn in hell right wing fascist traitors. I have noticed they do not even fight the fascist label anymore.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:19 pmAs a flaming liberal I agree with you, repthugs.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:27 pmLevin is right the surge has not achieved its objective. The only option left is to pull out troops in 4 months. The object of the surge was political progress but no political progress has been made.
August 20th, 2007 at 11:37 pmThe statement on Levin’s website contains the “encouraged by continuing positive results” and “…we are not optimistic about the prospects for those compromises” statements, but not the “totally and utterly failed” statement. Could it be that Fox and ABC reports were made based upon that rather than the “conference call with reporters this afternoon”? Those reports also mentioned the reservations that Levin and Warner noted in the statement. Is TP slamming reports that were made without foreknowledge that Levin would later alter his language? Levin said the Iraqi leaders have failed to reach goals for political settlements. That’s not quite the same thing as saying the surge has failed. Let’s give credit to the troops for having achieved their goal in reducing violence.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:47 amIt’s our Politicians who are thugs and thieves, trying to steal Iraqi oil. It is the US Federal Government that is broken. And this applies to both corrupt parties who are feeding at the oil & war profiteer pig trough on K-Street.
It is time for Americans to wake up and throw the old crusty scumbags out of DC. Levin (D) is a complete failure. Supporting the old auto industry that refuses to build products that can compete on fuel efficiency.
But the MSM would like us to focus on cleavage, hair cuts, fake snowman, and Obama girl. F*%K it all, let’s throw the recess captain and vacationing crew overboard and turn the titanic around.
August 21st, 2007 at 2:05 amNo. 96, Scumbags and Psychopaths :
Right on.
August 21st, 2007 at 7:56 amYou know what the White House calls a subpoenas from the Senate Judiciary Committee?
Leahy Wipes!
I believe Bush is going to tell Congress that future subpoenas should be sent to the White House on a roll. It just makes their eventual use a lot easier.
August 21st, 2007 at 9:50 am“We have seen indications that the surge of additional brigades to Baghdad and its immediate vicinity and the revitalized counter-insurgency strategy being employed have produced tangible results in making several areas of the capital more secure. We are also encouraged by continuing positive results — in al-Anbar Province, from the recent decisions of some of the Sunni tribes to turn against Al Qaeda and cooperate with coalition force efforts to kill or capture its adherents,”
- John Warner and Carl Levin
Fact are facts. That is what they said. That the coward Levin decided to spin his own statement for the consumption of reporters and stupid democrats later does not change what he initially said. Grow a brain you fascist Goebbels morons.
August 21st, 2007 at 10:31 amLevin-the-Liar is tailoring his “talking points” for his pacifist constituent on the Left. It’s not about preserving the Country (that is faaaar too “nationalistic”) the agenda of the Left is joining the “family of nations….the family of man.” You’re busted, Carl!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:42 amDear Scumbag - (Nice name!!) Not to be too nuanced….but when you PAY for the oil, it’s not “stealing” it…..you might want to add”Idiot” to your moniker….
August 21st, 2007 at 10:44 amUh huh.. Fox and other outlets simply report what Levin actually said:
“We have seen indications that the surge of additional brigades to Baghdad and its immediate vicinity and the revitalized counter-insurgency strategy being employed have produced tangible results in making several areas of the capital more secure. We are also encouraged by continuing positive results — in al-Anbar Province, from the recent decisions of some of the Sunni tribes to turn against Al Qaeda and cooperate with coalition force efforts to kill or capture its adherents”
Then, later, Levin spins his own statement for reporters and his moron base and it is Fox that is spinning?
Damn, you kooks are gullible morons!
Bawhahahahah!
August 21st, 2007 at 10:47 amIt is hard not to blame Maliki for all the malarkey in Iraq. His inability to get a united coalition — and to keep it — is one of the main reasons Iraq is in chaos.
http://OsiSpeaks.com or http://OsiSpeaks.org
August 21st, 2007 at 11:20 amEarlier commenter: “What are these supposed journalists on, anyway?”
They’re on an Israeli and/or CIA payroll. It’s not an aberration. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do, saying what they’re supposed to say.
August 21st, 2007 at 12:57 pmHillery said today the surge was working
August 21st, 2007 at 5:57 pmHillary was wrong to say the surge was working. It hasn’t worked because it is a flawed policy.
August 22nd, 2007 at 1:34 am