McCain Declares Victory In Iraq: De-Baathification Law Means ‘We’re Succeeding Politically’
McCain Declares Victory In Iraq: De-Baathification Law Means ‘We’re Succeeding Politically’
Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) repeatedly and misleadingly labels any gains in Iraq as breathtaking victories. As early as November, he said that “we’ve succeeded militarily.” Last week, he declared that “the surge worked.”
After the Iraqi government this weekend passed its new de-Baathification law — which “would allow thousands of former Baathists who were not involved in past crimes against Iraqis to fill posts in the Shiite-dominated government” — McCain added “political reconciliation” to his victory list. At a campaign stop today, McCain said that the new law is evidence that “we’re succeeding politically”:
Now, six months ago, the Democrats were saying we’ve lost the war militarily. […]
My friends, you would have to suspend disbelief to believe that it’s not. So then they said, after we succeeded militarily, Well, you can’t succeed politically. You’re not moving forward politically. Well, now we’re succeeding politically.
The right wing is now echoing McCain’s victory celebration. The National Review writes: “Yesterday we were losing in Iraq, today we are winning.” The law has “shown us what real political reconciliation looks like.”
The law’s language hardly guarantees true political reconciliation. Juan Cole observed that legislation was actually spearheaded by the most anti-Baathist groups, and opposed by former Baathists:
If the new law was good for ex-Baathists, then the ex-Baathists in parliament will have voted for it and praised it, right? And likely the Sadrists (hard line anti-Baath Shiites) and Kurds would be a little upset.
Instead, parliament’s version of this law was spearheaded by Sadrists, and the ex-Baathists in parliament criticized it.
Additionally, barely 150 members of the 275-seat parliament attended the session. The New York Times also notes that the law may actually end up undermining the U.S. strategy of incorporating Sunnis into security forces, as it may exclude more former Baathists than it lets back in, particularly in security ministries.
The U.S. embassy in Iraq was “notably cautious,” refusing to comment a full day after the legislation was passed.
UPDATE: Spencer Ackerman has more.
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OT - Good News Everybody.
DENNIS KUCINICH MAY BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE NBC NEVADA DEBATE!!!
A judge sided today with Democratic presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich and said he will allow him to take part in Tuesday’s Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas.
Alternate District Judge J. Charles Thompson said he will grant a preliminary injunction allowing Kucinich to take part in the debate and will sign the order around 4 p.m.
Attorney Don Campbell, who is representing NBC Universal Inc., which is hosting the debate, said after the hearing that it was too early to say what NBC will do if the order is issued.
Kucinich’s attorney, William McGaha, said he was pleased with the upcoming ruling. “It’s in everybody’s interest to have the debate and with as many different political viewpoints,†he said.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:03 pmNot to mention a little problem with the Kurds. http://tinyurl.com/2wy7ts
You would think the Republicans would be a little more leery about sticking their necks out making claims that later come undone — but then you’d have to believe the the MSM would call them on those claims down the road.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:04 pmRip into them BIG TIME Dennis! DON’T. HOLD. ANYTHING. BACK.
Score one for the good guys vs. the fascist, warmongering, bloodthirsty corporate brown shirts at NBC!!
January 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pmThis tired old crackpot has hitched his wagon to a policy that 65% of the public completely disagrees with. That’s just ONE reason why he’ll get his clock cleaned by ANY Democratic candidate this November.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pmDe-Baathification was the most idiotic thing the U.S. could have done in Iraq. The U.S. lost Iraq at that point. This is why Bush’s father said to Bush jr., don’t go to war with Iraq.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:06 pmDe-Baathification- I think from some of the pictures I have seen of over there that they need to reverse that and all take a bath, but they would need water to do that.
Buck Fush
January 14th, 2008 at 7:27 pmGood, you stupid old lying windbag McWar — BRING THE TROOPS HOME.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:28 pmCaption Contest:
“Bang! Bang Bang!
January 14th, 2008 at 7:33 pmGotcha, ya little jerk!”
I want what he’s smoking. Maybe it’s that Arizona peyote.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pmI want what he’s smoking. Maybe it’s that Arizona peyote.
Comment by abarts — January 14, 2008 @ 7:40 pm
ahhh, the good stuff.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pmIf McCain cannot recognize a failure then he should not running for office.
Was De-Baathification a successful policy or a failure by the Bush Administration?
http://www.youpolls.com/details.asp?pid=1537
.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:52 pmNext: b-b-b, bomb bomb Iran? I will love to see him lose.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:55 pmGeez, if he declared victory, does that mean the war is over and our soldiers can come home now??
January 14th, 2008 at 8:03 pmSo the reversal of our biggest stupidity in Iraq, something that was so insane that it’s reversal was inevitable only delayed bu our refusal to listen to anybody, is a VICTORY???
Stupidity, compounded by the refusal to listen and lies to cover up the results of that stupidity, cost us this war - that we lost years ago.
There is no victory possible. They are just holding back the declaration of failure in an election year and buying time with American lives and Iraqi lives.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:17 pmEnd this war of fascist imperial neo-colonial Bush aggression against the Iraqi people. Withdraw all American troops now, unconditionally and immediately.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:19 pmthe senator should have a talk with george patton about that. their both dead, should be interesting
January 14th, 2008 at 8:21 pmAs Bush fades away, McBushCo picks up the mantle. Mission accomplished, said 43, and for a while he got away with that lie. The lesson learned is that you can say anything, no matter how stupid or outrageous, and get away with it.
Lie like it is the truth, and force your opponents to prove otherwise. Meanwhile, as they do that, say something else equally outrageous and make them prove that is wrong too. BushCo has been doing this since 2001. One loooong series of lies, deceptions and distortions, and there are still the 26%ers who believe.
McBushCo has apparently learned the lesson well. Now, will his strategy work in November, should he be the neocon nominee?
January 14th, 2008 at 8:32 pmMcCain is insane. It was obvious the day he kissed Dubya and started leg humping him in the 2000 campaign, directly after Dubya pulled a KKKarl Rove Swift Boat on him C. The fiasco in Iraq has been a disaster for over five years. McCain is insane.
January 14th, 2008 at 8:34 pm#12 Comment by PollM — January 14, 2008 @ 7:52 pm
If McCain cannot recognize a failure then he should not running for office.
What has this got to do with anything? We have had Bush in office for 7 years, and prior to that he never recognized any of the Business failures he lived.
The people voted in huge numbers for Bush. Why should your point matter to McBushCo?
January 14th, 2008 at 8:40 pm#2 Comment by gummitch — January 14, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
…but then you’d have to believe the the MSM would call them on those claims down the road.
Ah, the confidence of knowing that they own the MSM. How sweet it is!
January 14th, 2008 at 8:44 pmSo why do we need to stay in Iraq for 100 years if the surge worked?
January 14th, 2008 at 8:59 pmCall McWar’s office tomorrow and ask the simple question, posed by #27 here: If we won and all is great in Iraq, WHY should US troops remain there for 100 / 1000 / A Million Years?
McWar is McInsane.
January 14th, 2008 at 9:43 pmyou’ve got to read this… i heard rachel maddow read some tonight:
An open letter to George W. Bush. - UAE press editorial
Abu Dhabi, Jan 11th, 2008 (WAM): In an unusual style, the Dubai-based Gulf News published today a front page editorial addressing the American President George W. Bush. The editorial, in the form of an open ‘Letter to George W. Bush’ read: ‘Dear Mr. President, On the occasion of your first official trip to this vital region, it is only appropriate to raise a few points which might also be raised by the leaders you meet. Unfortunately, you landed here with prejudice and pre-formed opinions. By describing Israel, moments after you arrived, as the ‘land of freedom’ and ‘justice’, you have shown total ignorance of the political situation in the Middle East and the issue you claim to want to solve in the remaining 12 months of your presidency. Israel, Mr. President, continues to defy every UN resolution, exercise unprecedented oppression on the occupied Palestinian people and persecute its Muslim and Christian population.
‘We realise that containing Iran, selling more weapons and securing cheap oil supplies are the main issues on your mind as you tour the region. But you need to look beyond the neocon rhetoric and speak directly to the people who have been unjustly thrown out of their land, victimised for decades by your ’strong ally’ Israel.
‘As for other matters, such as the promise of democracy and human rights, which you are expected to raise in your official talks in the region, we really don’t take them seriously. Your dreadful record on both gives you no moral right to lecture others’.
Gulf News continued its open letter in its usual editorial page: ‘Lest you forget. Invasion of Iraq. Thousands of dead. Looting the National Museum. Disbanding the Iraqi army. Donald Rumsfeld. Shock and Awe. Jay Garner. Paul Bremer. Inciting sectarianism. Abu Ghraib.
[…]
it goes on and on…
http://www.zawya.com/ story.cfm/ sidWAM20080111071010164
(i could not get the original Gulf News link to open on my puter)
January 14th, 2008 at 9:46 pmGood we won the war, what 5 years ago?, The surge worked, the occupation is off the front pages. We are victorious! Is it time for Blackwater & the US military to leave? Can we go home, now?
January 14th, 2008 at 9:58 pmLie down Gramps and close your eyes. It will all soon be over.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:01 pmCaption Contest: Go ahead, pull my finger.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:03 pmWhen the de-Baathification law story first was posted, Exley was on, posting with wide-eyed exuberance: “Now, this looks extremely hopeful…”
And now he gets to suck on another ideological defeat. The guy never learns…
Now, back to McFacialcarbunkle and his guard-dog, Joe.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:06 pmWell, I am truly impressed!
McCain is almost as big a liar and almost as stupid as our current President!
You go girl, you’re almost there!
January 14th, 2008 at 10:17 pmOMG, there goes TP again telling the truth…would you cut that out so republican cultists can enjoy their ejaculation.
January 14th, 2008 at 10:36 pm.
Rise in homicides by US Iraq war vets -NY Times
January 14th, 2008 at 11:00 pmReuters - Jan 12, 2008
NEW YORK, Jan 12 (Reuters) - A survey of public records by The New York Times found at least 121 US veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan committed a killing or were charged with one after returning home from duty, the newspaper reported on Saturday.
Article on Veterans Committing Murder Stirs Debate Newsweek
http://news.google.com/ ?ncl=1126258090&hl=en&topic=h
And how many ‘victories’ did McCain and Lieberman declare so far…? !
January 14th, 2008 at 11:12 pm“And before they hang up the phone on you, try to get a question in about why U.S. troops are still stationed in Germany and Korea after all these decades.”
Uhh, because we have agreements with stable governments. Do you see where that is not the case in Iraq?
January 14th, 2008 at 11:38 pmO. Bigfoot, those agreements were part of PEACE agreements. So no, not quite the same.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:56 pmAhhhh, we have a peace agreement with the Iraqi government? Great…that means nothing. The Iraqi government is as impotent as Bob Dole.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:10 amSince the politicians are so quick to proclaim that we have “succeeded” militarily, why aren’t the troops coming home? Bush said that the troops would “Return on success”, didn’t he? I haven’t heard any of the debate moderators ask the candidates why our soldiers cannot come home.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:12 amGary, I think Bush told us the soldiers would “stand down when the Iraqi police force stood up”. I don’t see that happening anytime soon. Surge or no surge, the Iraqi police force are never going to be ready. The place is to divided.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:15 amGOP imperialist war of choice. By definition winning is losing. Old man McCain should just lie down until he stops breathing.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:27 amAnd before they hang up the phone on you, try to get a question in about why U.S. troops are still stationed in Germany and Korea after all these decades.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
Well, I could point out more countries where US has/had military bases and their economies are crap: Haiti and Nicaragua. Those two are the first and second poorest countries in Latinamerica and those two are the first and second MOST occupied countries by US forces in Latinamerica.
You should study economic development of South Korea and Germany. You will see that their flourishing has to do with ignoring economic policies dictated by Washington.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:30 amInstability, Bigfoot? Do you ever get sick of downplaying Iraq?
January 15th, 2008 at 12:36 amGOP pigs want to stay until all muslims have converted to christ worship or the oil runs out.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:40 amTurning a blind eye to the mis-deeds and crimes of our country is not optimism.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:43 amThere is not reason to be optimistic. Only a fool thinks that spending more lives in that desert is worth it (not to mention those who suffer nothing from the war continuing).
January 15th, 2008 at 12:44 amI suppose bigfat thinks collateral damage makes the victim less dead than a beheading does.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:50 amFreedom to be occupied by Imperial army of USA.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:51 amLet McCain talk himself into a box that he can’t get out of. All of these exaggerations and lies may be fine while he’s trying to win the Republican nomination, but if he ends up running for president and the Democrats include footage of his boasts in their ads, this guy won’t have a chance.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:51 amFaith in the Iraqi people to want freedom and stability, and succeed in their endeavor, is indeed, optimism.
Comment by O. Bigfoot
You missed out the most important import according to you: Faithful ally.
F_ck what Iraqis want.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:53 amI should get some sleep: important thing according to you…
January 15th, 2008 at 12:54 amBiggies defeat is another man’s freedom. Aim a little higher.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:56 amFree to be occupied by a foreign troops….stable enough for foreign corporations to take over their economy. that’s more optimism than any people should have to bear.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:03 amI have no idea why the USA still has military in Germany and Korea. The communists have all turned into capitalists.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:09 amThere has been a highly developed civilization in Iraq long before the Pilgrims set foot over here. Maybe they should invade US and show us how its done.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:12 amProsper at the point of a gun. Nice. How very optimistic.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:15 amAt one time the sun never set on the British Empire and I’m sure the English people wanted to win. Many were even optimistic. Empires collapse and that makes me optimistic that someday the world can prosper and be stable.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:22 amThe intellectual usurpers, a la Juan Cole, totally discredited by their doomsay scenarios about the war in Iraq, now that the war is being won under the strong and imaginative leadership of General Petraeus, are cognitively “exiled” in the desert land named QUIBBLING. They can quibble as much as they like–as this is their only solace for their intellectually dry palates–about who were the “spearheads” of the legislation when actually the latter opens the door to the Baathists to enter government.
As I predicted in an article of mine last January, one year ago, titled ‘Blueprint for Victory in Iraq’, published on the blog Nemesis in Australia, 2007 will prove to be Bush’s ANNUS MIRABILIS by winning the war.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:16 amWhat good is it to “win” a war that should never have been fought?
It takes immoral bastards who pretend to be “good Christians” to create something this terrible.
January 15th, 2008 at 2:49 amShine that shit, senator.
January 15th, 2008 at 4:13 amWell, now we’re succeeding politically.
great - now how about succeeding politacally in the united states
January 15th, 2008 at 4:38 amI don’t know where he is getting his information but I would suggest to Mr. McCain that he inform us where his optimism came from. I think he owes it to us and those risking their lives to give us the source of the good news he hawks so we can check it out. Otherwise, I think it is a good possibility he is just playing to the audience, trying to look like the confident leader he’d like us to think he is. And then, his flight helmet might have hit the canopy one too many times. His service in the military is undeniably awesome but he has shifted, it seems to me, from one position to another so often that I can’t figure out if he’s doing this as informed actions or he has become the political whore and man for all seasons.
January 15th, 2008 at 5:37 amMcCain Declares Victory In Iraq: De-Baathification Law Means ‘We’re Succeeding Politically’
De-Baathification? More like Re-Baathification. You’re putting AGAIN Saddam officials at the government.
Probably they have also future plans for the Chemical Alis at the USA Bio Weapons laboratories.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:24 amMcCain’s service in the miitary consisted of dropping bombs on civilians during another illegal American war, then getting shot down and captured, then breaking under torture. this seems to be enough for Republicans to elect him Senator, but it hardly is good background for the presidency. Bush should be evidence enough for the next 100 years that a Republican doesn’t belong in the White House except as a cleaning person.
January 15th, 2008 at 7:28 amBush should be evidence enough for the next 100 years that a Republican doesn’t belong in the White House except as a cleaning person.
a cleaning person would never be stoopid enough to be a republican.
January 15th, 2008 at 8:08 am.
During presidential debates..McCain claimed that he was the only one who criticised this war from start….
Show me the vote, Mr. McCain…
January 15th, 2008 at 8:49 amOne word: buffoon
January 15th, 2008 at 8:50 amI think McCain is the problem, another Bush !!! We will live to regret it just like bush.. is this all the GOP has ??? McCain ?? God help us
January 15th, 2008 at 9:04 amI love hearing losers whine…and you will lose in November…
January 15th, 2008 at 9:32 amComment by plunger — January 14, 2008 @ 8:43 pm
Plunger - is it totally impossible for you to post something that is less than half of a screen’s worth of space? I simply skip your posts because they appear to be only so much spam. If you really want people to pay attention to what you think, give a short paragraph synopsis of your subject and link to the article. That way people might actually pay attention to what you post rather than just skipping right by it.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:05 amI thought that de-Baathification was accomplished under Bremer.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:06 am“We are fighting insurgents alongside Iraqi forces, just as we have done in both Germany and Korea.”
Comment by O. Bigfoot
And Vietnam.
I don’t hear Biggie talking about Nam, though. I wonder why.
January 15th, 2008 at 10:25 amI love hearing losers whine…and you will lose in November…
Comment by Neocon — January 15, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Promise you’ll be here by then. I love a good belly laugh.
January 15th, 2008 at 11:21 am