Bush Administration Announces ‘Aspirational Timetables’ In Iraq; Will McCain Call It ‘Defeat?’
Bush Administration Announces ‘Aspirational Timetables’ In Iraq; Will McCain Call It ‘Defeat?’
Yesterday, the U.S. agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by next June and from the country by the end of 2011. According to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two countries agreed on forming “aspirational timetables” for withdrawal:
We have agreed that some goals, some aspirational timetables for how that might unfold, are well worth having in such an agreement.
Although the 2011 target is “prospective,” the embrace of a timetable is a significant development for an administration that has for five years disparaged those advocating any fixed schedule or date for withdrawal.
It is unclear, however, where Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) will stand, as he has marched in lockstep with Bush in railing against any use of “timetables.” In January, for example, McCain said of Mitt Romney’s advocacy of a timeline, “Timetables was the buzzword for those that wanted to get out.” McCain has demagogued the issue, hammering anyone who advocates any form of timetables:
– “If you pass a resolution…that dictates withdrawal and a time for withdrawal, all you’re doing is telling the enemy, ‘hang on, we’re leaving.’” [March 2007]
– “If you set a date for withdrawal, then the consequences of failure are catastrophic.” [8/20/07]
– “An artificial timetable based on political expediency would have led to disaster and could still turn success into defeat.” [7/19/08]
– “They’ll come home with honor. And it won’t be just at a set timetable.” [7/22/08]
In July, after McCain said Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s 16-month withdrawal timeline was a “pretty good timetable,” he quickly distanced himself from the “buzzword,” telling ABC two days later, “I didn’t use the word timetable.”
Iraqi and U.S. leaders seem to be agree on the idea of a timetable for reducing the U.S. presence. Will McCain smear the compromise as advocating “defeat” and “surrender” in Iraq?
Even if the goal of withdrawing combat troops by 2011 is realized, the accord does leave open the possibility that American military trainers and support forces could remain in Iraq after that time. It is unclear whether the accord provides for semipermanent military bases in the country, and what role the United States would play in providing air and naval support for Iraq.
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I thought it was cut and run? Iraq served it’s only real purpose and that was to get Bush re-elected in 2004. If Bush really wanted to “win” in Iraq would he have put Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, and Bremer in charge?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pmIt’s a timetable.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pmThe NYT article begins with this:
‘The United States has agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities by next June’
Doesn’t address the non-combat troops and doesn’t address the mercenaries but it sure does sound like a timetable!
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pmgood_golly: You need to get on your knees and pray to God for redemption. You are nothing more than a filthy liar, an enemy to this country and a hater of democracy. Pray to God to be shown that it is wrong to adopt as your inspiration and God war criminals who deserve to be tried for violations of the rights guaranteed to all human beings, who have attempted to subvert democracy and who are on par with such other human filth as Hitler, Stalin and Saddam Hussein. Pray to God that your soul will be swiftly sent to the deepest part of Hell where you deserve to reside, so that you will not endanger the rest of us who believe in our country, the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pmAbove the Clouds Says:
I thought it was cut and run? Iraq served it’s only real purpose and that was to get Bush re-elected in 2004.
No, the greater purpose was to put lots and lots of cash in the pockets of Cheney and his pals. And grab the oil. Or is that redundant?
On another note, gigi – wake up! You’re dreaming, and talking in your sleep!
PEACE
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:29 pmTime to cue in a rousing rendition of McCain singing his campaign anthem- bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran. Because REAL he-men go to Tehran, don’t you know?
snark
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:31 pmDANCE, Monkey-boy! DANCE!
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pmJMOHR; well said.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:32 pm… the U.S. agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities…
what about the mercenaries?
it’s obvious that setup is the biggest waste of money ever…
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmgood_golly5 Says:
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This is not an artificial timetable based on political expediency, it’s an aspirational goal based on the projected date of when Iraqi Security forces will be in charge of 18 out of 18 Iraqi provinces. I believe the count is currently at 11 or 12.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Oh , I see
Those who lied us into war to begin with are only concerned with “goals” and reality ; while those who knew the (illegal) invasion and occupation was a moronic idea from its inception are interested only in “political expediency” ………….
How do you not fall down more often ?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:33 pmIf he doesn’t – he’s a suck-up and a panderer.
Oh wait…he already is!
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pmWhat a waste of space all this accord talk is. Barack Obama will sign the applicable accord under his administration. Bush is just acting out of political posturing, trying the end the Iraq disaster before the election Then back to disaster that Obama will really end.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pmOh f**k McCain, the man is an obvious idiot. He wants to be a war president so badly he would hand Cindy and all of her millions over to Al Qaida to make it happen.
Where is all of McCain’s concern for our troops? I recall back in the 90’s while our troops were in Somalia he was on the senate floor speaking about withdrawing our troops and not getting into a drawn out war. Again I ask, where is his concern today?
Are we just going to continue to bankrupt and neglect our own country and our people so that Bush and the GOP can save face? Are we going to continue to stretch our military dangerously thin and weaken it while Russia and China continue to get stronger? By the time this unnecessary war is over it will take all of our budget to rebuild our military…and perhaps that has been the goal all along?
Just a reminder to the war mongering, knuckle dragging trolls out there. Remember what happened to the old Soviet Union after their long, drawn out war with Afghanistan…it collapsed. Again perhaps this is all part of the plan?
One thing is for certain. No foreign army or terrorist organization could have done as much damage to our country than the Bush administration has caused over the past 8 years.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:35 pmThis IS an artificial timetable based on political expediency…
it’s also “aspirational” and “prospective”…
but it’s good that the OBAMA plan has got “the show on the road”…
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmYeah, goony, and my nose is NOT my nose…
It’s a carbon-based breathing apparatus constructed of cells, supported by blood vessels and cartilage which is appended to the front of my face.
Yep. I get it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmDoes this mean we are now allowed to call Chimpy a ’surrender monkey’? Or a cut-and-run coward? or an apeaser?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:36 pmA plan is a plan, no matter how many qualifying words people use. It will work as expected or not. It will be changed, if leaders are smart enough to assess progress and adjust accordingly.
What we’ve witnessed the last two years is political horse hockey. The latest droppings are “aspirational goals.” I can see them steaming from here.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pmMcCain will sidestep contradicting or criticizing Bush by saying that it’s based on conditions on the ground. Even if it’s not really the case, that is what he will claim
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pmTomato, tomahto Gigi.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pmIMO since we are an occupation army in Iraq, we have NO intention of leaving. Oil and having a vantage point in that area of the world make it lucrative to stay there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pmThe Iraqi’s really don’t have any say in it.
Existential threats, aspirational timetables, Rove and his minions sure have been working overtime perusing the Neocon Guide’s chapter on Deceptive Adjectives.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:42 pm“No Animal shall sleep in a bed–with sheets.”
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:43 pmHow are the RNC paid trolls going to spin this one?
The idiot Goon golly gave it a lame try, obviously the RNC has not put out their talking points on this one.
Maybe they are trying to ignore it because it has been the Democrats idea for quite some time now.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmIt’s pretty damn funny if you ask me that McCain tried to hammer Obama at the VFW speech earlier this week, accusing the O man of wanted ‘defeat’ in Iraq by talking about a timed withdrawal, and then the day after, Bu$h and his handlers announce, LO AND BEHOLD, a timed withdrawal. According to McCain, “victory” is at hand’….
One question for McCain and his lemmings: What would constitute a “victory”?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:44 pmY’know, if Republicans were really convinced that a withdrawal would result in disaster in Iraq (their primary criticism of the “cut-and-run” crowd) then Bush would not be posturing thus. He’d “stay the course” and force Obama to take all of the heat for the shitstorm they’re so confident will follow a US withdrawal.
But they know their predictions are horseshit. So they’re trying to position themselves to be able to grab the credit when Obama engineers a successful transition to Iraqi authority and brings the troops home.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:45 pmAccording to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the two countries agreed on forming “aspirational timetables” for withdrawal:
Do they pay people to come up with these dumb names? If so, they need to find someone new. This one is worse than the “withdrawal horizon”. Actually the “horizon” was rather clever because you can never get to a horizon, it’s a moving target.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pmkaty, post a comment at the Zoo and I’ll email you.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:46 pmSlogans and platitudes, just like the Nixon admistration’s
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm“peace with honor”
Bush really had no choice in this. What was he supposed to do, tell Maliki and the people in Iraq “FU, we intend to occupy your country forever”? I know that is what they intended, but the likelihood of the people in Iraq allowing that to happen is just about nil.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:48 pm1. good_golly5 Says:
Goony first up with the RNC talking point of the day. Good work Goon, now go over to McBush’s site and claim your points.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmgood_golly5 Says:
This is not an artificial timetable based on political expediency, it’s an aspirational goal based on the projected date of when Iraqi Security forces will be in charge of 18 out of 18 Iraqi provinces. I believe the count is currently at 11 or 12.
Who cares? It’s all pie in the sky. The Iraqi government’s imposed deadline of Nov 1 for Sunni Awakening members to disarm will be the match that torches the surge, and puts us back at square one. We cannot continue to pay the Sunnis not to kill american troops, while also backing Al Maliki’s play. We’re merely setting the scene for future catastophe.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:49 pmdareme-
As has already been mentioned in the thread, there is no mention of whether or not the MERCENARIES (Spades are spades, I now REFUSE to call them ‘contractors’) will be leaving Iraq as well…
I suck at this so I’m putting out a call to others to do it:
Now that this (say it with me now) TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL has come out, we should begin compiling a list of quotes from all relevant politicians and our resident trolls that show what they though of TIMETABLES FOR WITHDRAWAL before they turned around right before the election to claim it was their idea all along.
I’m certain I remember GG, P, and others referring to Democrats as “cut-and-run,” “cowardly,” “pulling the rug out from under our troops” etc etc down the line.
And it goes without saying that Chimpy and Co have done the same.
I’m going to say it one more time, because it bears repeating:
THIS IS A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL. IT CANNOT BE CALLED ANYTHING ELSE. THIS IS A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL. WE ARE NOT FOOLED, THIS WAS NOT YOUR IDEA. THIS IS A TIMETABLE FOR WITHDRAWAL. STFU WINGNUTS, YOU’RE EMBARRASSING YOURSELVES.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:50 pmAspirational timetables…?
I aspire to reach the end of the horizon… Ain’t gonna happen as neither time horizons or aspirations are measurable as the results are always being measured by non-concrete values. Like Johnny McMillionare aspires to be an elite because to him, 5 million dollars is being poor.
Q U E S T I O N:
WHEN A TIME TABLE IS BASED ON WISHY-WASHY DEADLINES, HOW CAN EITHER PARTY REST IN KNOWING THAT THE OTHER SIDE RESPECTS AND ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR PARTNERS?
IF I HAVE AN ASPIRATIONAL TIMETABLE TO HAVE SEX WITH MY PARTNER AND THEY HAVE A “HEADACHE” WHAT GOOD IS THAT ASPIRATIONAL TIMETABLE TO ME?
IF THE IRAQIS HAVE BEEN ASPIRING FOR AN AMERICAN WITHDRAWAL FOR YEARS NOW, HAVEN’T THE AMERICAN FORCES ALREADY SHOWN A CERTAIN CONTEMPT FOR THEIR WISHES AND ASPIRATIONS?
.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 pmRalph @ 26
BINGO!
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 pmkaty Says:
… the U.S. agreed to remove combat troops from Iraqi cities…
what about the mercenaries?
it’s obvious that setup is the biggest waste of money ever…
I doubt that the mercenaries will stay without the US troops to back them up. They would be sitting ducks for the Insurgents. After all the bad things the mercenaries have done in Iraq, I’m fairly sure that they will not be welcome.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:51 pmAspirational timetables. That sounds sooooooooo elitist.
-GSD
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:52 pm.
Does this “ASPIRATIONAL TIMETABLE” come with a built in “6 more months” clause in case the aspirations don’t pan out, like the surge?
.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:53 pmBHB:
They’re not welcome NOW.
With our troops gone, they’d be able to run amok with even more impunity than they have now.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmliberal traitor Says:
As has already been mentioned in the thread, there is no mention of whether or not the MERCENARIES (Spades are spades, I now REFUSE to call them ‘contractors’) will be leaving Iraq as well…
A lot of the contractors are there to support our troops. Those will undoubtedly go home because we will stop paying for them. The mercenaries, on the other hand, had better get their butts out of Iraq because the Iraqi’s hate them and will undoubtedly take revenge on them if they choose to stay.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmThere’s still a big fat ol IF in the middle of this muddle.
And with the Shiite’s actively arresting Sunni Awakening council leaders and failing to live up to the US promises of integrating Sunni awakening fighters, when our $300 a month stops flowing, watch the carnage ramp up all over again.
this is still just a clusterfu(k, on hold while the cash flows freely.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pmMax-1
Of course it does, as you know, with all things BushCo, there is always a loophole (i.e. signing statements, 6 more months, etc etc)
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:56 pmHow does that work over at McCain Central? Does Gigi get to collect all the points she earned when she was posting as Themis? Or does she have to start over? How many McSame mouse pads does one girl need?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pmWhat the Fu(k are you talking about?
The surge did not work, the Iraqi government still hasn’t reconciled anything, and this “aspirational timetable” just HAPPENED to come right before the election…the “aspirational timetable” that Democrats have been talking about for YEARS
Nice try troll.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:58 pmThat’s my favorite McCain picture TP. He looks soooo Commander in Chiefy.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pmNettles, I’ve always wondered… in your world, does shit taste like strawberry ice cream?
Otherwise, how could you swallow so much of it?
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pmRUCerious:
Yep. Once the cash flow is over and the temperatures become bearable again when the summer ends…boom.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pmpbg Says:
“No Animal shall sleep in a bed–with sheets.”
My best friend Chaser will be disappointed to hear that. Nor will he obey that order.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 pmBHB:
Don’t worry, neither did the pigs.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pm“If you pass a resolution…that dictates withdrawal and a time for withdrawal, all you’re doing is telling the enemy, ‘hang on, we’re leaving.’” John McCain [March 2007]
“““““““““““““““““““““““““
Okay heres what bothers me with this statement and it has eve3r since timetables have been discussed.
Since when do we have to announce to the world that we are withdrawing our troops? Seriously…are we going to put up billboards all across Iraq announcing this plan? Is there some kind of war protocol that tells you that you must announce any withdrawal to your enemy?
Is anyone else buying this bullshit? Just like the arguements that the terrorists will just wait us out until we leave or the terrorists will follow us home if we leave…BULLSHIT! IT IS PEER SPECULATION ON THE PART OF THOSE WHO WANT TO REMAIN IN IRAQ
They will come up with every possible scenerio on why we cannot leave Iraq, not truly knowing what will happen but base their opinions on it anyway! Wake up America! It’s time to start putting AMERICA first, not the interests of the oil companies, defense contractors and those who want to be war presidents!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:01 pmYou mean the “surge” that led to the Anbar Awakening ten months before the surge begans. Maybe McCain needs to distance himself from himself because that’s the cr@p he stepped in. Oh that’s right, McCain doesn’t speak for the campaign.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pmNettles Says:
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Now, weak-kneed Dems are taking credit for the success of the surge? Oy ve. For those who opposed the surge, it is time to face the harsh reality that Murtha was wrong all along and McCain was right. The reason we don’t see Murtha anywhere near Senator Obama is because Obama knows that the “peace at all costs” crowd is toxic. Thankfully, Obama in recent weeks has shown flashes of pragmatic rhetoric with regard to foreign policy that is at odds with the fringe elements of his party.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:55 pm
The Splurge has been about as successful as McDepends’ pecker is without 10 Viagra pills ………..
Johnny boy has shown in the past few weeks , especially in regards to the Russia-Georgia conflict , that his foreign diplomatic “expertise” is as fictitious as Ronnie Retard’s “Trickle Down (Your leg)” economic theory and Chimpy’s being a “fealess leader” and/or “war president” …….
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmMcGigolo must be passing out Budweiser coupons now. If he wasn’t going to suck Cindy dry he’d have replaced her by now.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:04 pmShayne Says:
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That’s my favorite McCain picture TP. He looks soooo Commander in Chiefy.
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:59 pm
He looks more like an old Cabbage Patch Kid that was discarded and urinated on by dogs ………
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 pmVocabulary word of the day.
Aspiration: The release of a strong burst of air.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:06 pmOUCH
Nettle, don’t get up. Just stay down for the count.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 pm41. Nettles Says:
Troll, please tell us what Bush said the surge was all about. Now, be honest and tell us what he originally said, not the 10 alternatives he has given. Then tell us how the surge is a success. I’ll even help you. Here are the benchmarks he said would have to happen for the surge to be a success:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2008/01/benchmark.html
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:07 pmi guess what randi rhodes has been saying it true…modern waaahhhhpublicans hate grampy mclame. seems like everytime he makes a statement, the white house does the exact opposite and shoves it right up the old coot’s arse.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pm#1 good_golly5 Says:
Gi_Gi_5_Cheeto_fingers,
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmIf your wedding invites had an aspirational cerimoney date, would your Maid of Honor feel dissed if your projected date to recieve 18 out of 18 wedding preasents hadn’t arrived by the posted cerimoney date? Only if you made her buy that ugly Chiffon cocktail dress two sizes too big. Now, what if she came thousands of miles and you canceled at that last moment because your aspirations didn’t work out? What do you say to her family waiting for her return?
Memo to the Obama Campaign
Your opponent has claimed on many occasions that he would put America first. It’s time for your campaign to ask the question “How does staying in Iraq equivilate into putting America first? We are going into deep debt because of this war. People are losing their jobs, their homes, their pensions and yet our hands are tied because we continue to have tunnel vision in Iraq.
Putting America first means withdrawing our troops from Iraq and ending this costly and unnecessary war!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmUFL:
We’re not announcing it to the enemy specifically…we’re not fighting a conventional army. It’s not like we’re fighting Iraq the country. They are supposedly our ally, whom we invaded to ‘liberate.’ Well, supposedly we’ve done that now, and they want us to get the fu(k out.
THERE IS NOTHING ELSE GOING ON HERE.
THE IRAQIS HAVE FINALLY TOLD US TO GET THE FU(K OUT.
TO AVOID INTERNATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT AND EXPOSURE OF THEIR TRUE MOTIVES IN THE MOST BLATANT FORM POSSIBLE, BUSHCO ACQUIESCED TO THIS DEMAND, AND WILL NOW BEGIN TAKING LEMONS TO MAKE LEMONADE BY DOING THEIR BEST TO SPIN THIS IN THEIR FAVOR. PREPARE TO SEE HISTORY, AS USUAL, BEING RE-WRITTEN. IF MCCAIN WINS AND THINGS CONTINUE AS THEY ARE, 8 YEARS FROM NOW PEOPLE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT HOW THE DEMOCRATS WANTED TO STAY IN IRAQ FOREVER AND HOW WONDERFUL IT WAS THAT OUR SAVIOR MCCAIN CAME ALONG AND PULLED US OUT OF THE NIGHTMARE.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:08 pmOMG, that would be whiter than McPastey’s face. That’s a visual I could have lived without.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:09 pmi LOVE how these neoclown assclowns cream their jeans about the surge, FIVE FREAKING YEARS into this disaster chimpystein came up with a plan that worked? we were only in ww2 for four years…
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pmShayne Says:
You mean the “surge” that led to the Anbar Awakening ten months before the surge begans.
__________
And don’t forget the wads and wads of cash we’ve been throwing at the Sunni militias to NOT attack us.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:10 pm“And don’t forget the wads and wads of cash we’ve been throwing at the Sunni militias to NOT attack us.”
The Republic of Stupidity, perhaps the “economic surge” grampy mclame has been talking about?
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:11 pmMoney thrown at Sunnis——>comes from China
What a world…
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:12 pmThe Republic of Stupidity Says:
And don’t forget the wads and wads of cash we’ve been throwing at the Sunni militias to NOT attack us.
November 1, it all falls apart. Whether or not we leave, or continue to keep paying them will be irrelevant, if the Sunnis decide to refuse to disband and disarm – and open warfare begins again.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmHow can you be defeated by a country the Bush admin called sovereign?
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:15 pmHi TRoS. Have you been hiding from me … grrrr?
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:16 pmDamn. Grampy talks about sending a military Surge™ into our cities, and spreading billions in development money among Iraqi warlords.
Someone better make sure that he doesn’t try to put his pants on over his head today.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:17 pmReally Xisithrus, how do you “win” an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pmI don’t understand how the trolls are earning their points. They come by once, take a dump and leave. That’s not worth much by way of points.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:19 pmDang. There goes another Republic talking point. Dash it all. As far as the term timetables, why not just call it table of times, with different times for each table and an infinite number of tables. A neo-cons’ wet dream if I’ve ever seen one.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
I don’t understand how the trolls are earning their points. They come by once, take a dump and leave. That’s not worth much by way of points.
Quality Control called in sick today, so there’s no one checking on them…
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:21 pmBy conflating the Iraqi Freedom Operation with the WOT?
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm‘A spokesman for Mr. Obama, Bill Burton, called the announcement “a step in the right direction,” but derided what he called the vagueness of the White House commitment. Senator John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, praised the agreement as evidence that Mr. Bush’s strategy of sending additional forces last year had worked and he sought to use it as a cudgel against Mr. Obama.
“An artificial timetable based on political expediency would have led to disaster and could still turn success into defeat,” Mr. McCain said.’
Talk about covering your buttski McCain! It shows success but it would have led to disaster and still could!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:29 pmTalk about covering your buttski McCain!It shows success but it would have led to disaster and still could! (to paraphrase McCain I mean…)
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:30 pmShayne Says:
Really Xisithrus, how do you “win” an illegal invasion of a sovereign nation.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:18 pm
____________
Simple! All you have to do isOH MY GOD THE GAYS HAVE INVADED GREETING CARDS! EVERYBODY FORGET ABOUT IRAQ AND STOP THE GAYS!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:35 pm#The Republic of Stupidity Says:
Shayne Says:
You mean the “surge” that led to the Anbar Awakening ten months before the surge begans.
__________
And don’t forget the wads and wads of cash we’ve been throwing at the Sunni militias to NOT attack us.
And there is another reason I don’t think anyone is aware of. A neighbor’s son came home from Iraq last month and he said that they are being kept on base. They don’t go out and patrol the streets and they haven’t been going out to patrol the roads looking for ied’s. And this was even before it got really hot there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
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I don’t understand how the trolls are earning their points. They come by once, take a dump and leave. That’s not worth much by way of points.
Yeah, but it’s enough to run to the vending machine and get a 1.75 oz bag o Cheetos (Puffy Type, the crunchy ones don’t have enough fat in them)…
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:37 pmBilbo Hussein Baggins Says:
And there is another reason I don’t think anyone is aware of. A neighbor’s son came home from Iraq last month and he said that they are being kept on base. They don’t go out and patrol the streets and they haven’t been going out to patrol the roads looking for ied’s. And this was even before it got really hot there.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
_____
Turning Baghdad into East Berlin with concrete blast walls separating Sunni and Shi’a didn’t hurt either.
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:39 pmThis was mentioned briefly, but not by the MSM of course. Don’t try to explain it to Grampy McSame though or we’ll have to listen to another round of “My friends, when I was in the war I was confined to the same place for 5 years … blah, blah, blah … and I was still in danger. The surge, the SURGE!”
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:45 pmOl’ JM better get out the vasoline. Bush just screwed him, AGAIN and didn’t even kisss him first!
August 22nd, 2008 at 1:56 pmYup the surge is working great! General Petreaus is a f**king genius! What our government OR the press won’t tell us is that we have bribed tribes with taxpayer money not to fight against us and Al Sadr thru Iran has had many cease fires but of course this has nothing to do with the…success of the surge.
By the way has our government ever thought what the $$$ we are paying these tribes is being spent on…oops that would mean oversite and accountability, two things that are nonexistent in the Bush administration.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:22 pmJust a thought:
The sudden interest in timetables by the Bush administration and all this talk about the success of the surge and the great General Petraeus. Could it be that McCain may choose Petraeus as his VP? Since the surge is such a great success and violence is down in Iraq, maybe this is just to build a case for Petraeus stepping down and retiring as a great and honorable servant to his country??
McCain as president with Petraeus as VP sets up Petraeus in 2012….or sooner if gramps suddenly drops dead after throwing a temper tantrum.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:27 pmMcCain: “I like ‘Time Horizon’instead; this way nobody knows when this Iraq fiasco will end”.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:34 pmI agree Tarazan. “Time Horizon” is a lot like searching for the perfect man or woman. You can spend your lifetime searching for such a person but in the end you will never find it.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 pmAspirational Timetables
For who or what?
August of ‘02 was the time frame in which Bush started his WMD…WMD…..WMD rant, and thru this he did get his republican congress. Hasn’t it been in the cards to WIN hoping America would rally around the repukes? After all it is August again and an August before a crucial election.
Only the republicans over look death for political gain.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:57 pmI am an English major, and while I don’t want to spend alot of time researching it, I don’t even think “aspirational” is a word. Maybe it is out there on the horizon, somewhere.
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:59 pmMcCondo should support a clear timeline.
I mean, at his age, he may not even see a 2010 withdrawal.
McCain: ‘Older than dirt, and just as tasty’
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:22 pmThanks for that correction, Gigi.
I’m sure that will turn this whole debate back in Grampy’s favor.
August 22nd, 2008 at 3:35 pmNettles Says:
Now, weak-kneed Dems are taking credit for the success of the surge? Oy ve. For those who opposed the surge, it is time to face the harsh reality that Murtha was wrong all along and McCain was right. The reason we don’t see Murtha anywhere near Senator Obama is because Obama knows that the “peace at all costs” crowd is toxic. Thankfully, Obama in recent weeks has shown flashes of pragmatic rhetoric with regard to foreign policy that is at odds with the fringe elements of his party.
NO its not. The surge was supposed to give breathing room so that the Iraqis could solve their political problems you complete moron. And how many of those problems have been solved. We didnt need exta troops to being PAYING OFF THE IRAQIS to stop shooting each other and us. You are plain stupid dude. This isnt about Dems trying to take credit. Its about incredibly ignorant moronic Republicans trying to EVADE responsibility for their stupid lets get as many Americans killed as we possibly can policy disaster. I see you are still happy with it. I am sure you have Americans DIED today parties once a week at your house you bedwetting imecile
August 22nd, 2008 at 7:58 pm