Damn Dirty Hippies

By Matthew Yglesias on Apr 8, 2007 at 11:10 pm

Sometimes, I think, liberals have trouble recognizing the possibility that public opinion might be on our side in a controversy. Check out, for example, the results of the Foreign Affairs / Public Agenda poll regarding the use of force against Iran:

In dealing with Iran, 44 percent prefer diplomacy to establish better relations and 28 percent favor economic sanctions. Support for military action is in the single digits and so is even threatening military action. This preference for non-military solutions cuts across party identification. Republicans are more likely to favor sanctions than improved diplomatic relations, but they still prefer non-military options (68 percent of Republicans, compared to 78 percent of Democrats).

Under the circumstances, there’s absolutely no reason for Democrats to feel that it’s necessary to include gratuitous threats of military action in their public comments on this subject.

What’s more, as you’d expect, this isn’t some idiosyncratic opinion about Iran that people have developed. Just as 9/11 and what appeared to be a surprisingly easy victory over the Taliban made a lot of people much more willing to believe in the efficacy of military solutions during the 2002-2003 period, the public has become much more generically skeptical that military action is the best way to combat nuclear proliferation:

The skepticism about the use of force applies in general terms as well. A plurality of the public, 43 percent, says attacking countries that develop weapons of mass destruction would enhance national security “not at all”—a 14-point jump in six months. Those who say it would enhance security “a great deal” dropped 19 points, to 17 percent.

All-in-all, it’s a good public opinion context for this whole Pelosi-in-Damascus fight to play out in.

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Culture

Sopranos Returns

By Matthew Yglesias on Apr 8, 2007 at 9:57 pm

I was super-disappointed with Season Six, or Season Six A, or whatever we’re supposed to call it. And the first scene of tonight’s episode — a retcon! — had me prepped to assume the worst. But the rest of the episode was fantastic; not as taught or striking as the show was at the very beginning, but still packing a great combination of drama and humor, a range of tones, etc. Now I’m excited for the rest of the season.

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Politics

McCain: It’s ‘Fun’ When I ‘Misspeak’ About Progress In Iraq

By Faiz Shakir on Apr 8, 2007 at 8:14 pm

In a recent TV interview, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) criticized CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, saying he didn’t know what was going on in Iraq. As proof of progress, McCain claimed, “General Petraeus goes out there almost every day in an unarmed humvee.” Tonight in a 60 Minutes interview, McCain acknowledged that statement was a lie. He said “there is no unarmored humvees. Obviously, that’s the case.” He excused himself, saying, “I’m trying to make the point over and over and over again that we are making progress.”

McCain also previously claimed that there are neighborhoods that you can walk around freely, claiming his heavily-armed stroll through a Baghdad market was an example. Tonight, McCain said he can “understand why they would provide me with that security.”

“Of course I’m gonna misspeak,” McCain said. “I’ve done it on numerous occasions. And I probably will in the future. I regret that when I divert attention to something that I’ve said from my message. But that’s just life. And I’m happy, frankly, with the way I operate. Otherwise it’d be a lot less fun.” Watch the segment:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/mccain60minmisspke.320.240.flv]

60 Minutes host Scott Pelley noted that McCain had been a fierce critic of Donald Rumsfeld but seems to “give President Bush a pass.” McCain responded, “I say that he is responsible and I will continue to say that he is responsible. Should I look back in anger? Or should I look forward?”

McCain harbors no anger because he has been an early cheerleader of ill-conceived Iraq war and remains one today.

More from Carpetbagger, TPM, and Cliff Schecter.

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Security

Harman On Iraq: We Should Take ‘Success’ Out Of Our Lexicon; ‘Survival’ Is More Logical

By Faiz Shakir on Apr 8, 2007 at 6:52 pm

ThinkProgress recently sat down with Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee. Asked about her prognosis for the future of Iraq, Harman said, “I don’t think that the surge will succeed because I think our combat mission cannot succeed. And putting more good lives after good lives, as I put it, doesn’t make any sense to me.” She recommended, “we should take the word ‘success’ out of our lexicon. ‘Stability’ and ‘survival’ are more logical.”

Harman noted she “does not want us to leave Iraq.” Rather, she explained, “I’m someone who supports an ongoing mission in Iraq. But I don’t think a combat mission is the right mission.” Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/JaneHarman1.320.240.flv]

The House and Senate will soon begin debate on an Iraq supplemental bill. Their respective bills currently contain provisions for the withdrawal from Iraq in one year. Bush has said he will veto the bill because of that provision. “My advice to this President would be think carefully before you veto this bill,” Harman said, offering that she is a member who could be swayed to compromise.

“There’s a recess going on. There’s time right now for the White House to reach out and engage in helping to craft a final bill that perhaps could show enormous presidential leadership. I would commend the President if he did that,” adding however, “I don’t think the chances are great.”

Transcript: Read more

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Politics

Moderates Running Scared

By Matthew Yglesias on Apr 8, 2007 at 5:45 pm

I don’t for a minute believe that Republican members representing blue states are genuinely enthusiastic about Nancy Pelosi’s ascension to the Speaker’s chair. I am, however, glad to see that they at least feel a need to feign enthusiasm. That means such Republicans are right where a liberal wants to see them — frightened that 2006 wasn’t as bad as it can get for them. The only real way out of Iraq before 2009 is for such fears to both deepend and spread, prompting congressional Republicans to make a serious effort to end it. I don’t think the odds are good, but the signs of fear are real.

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Yglesias

Heads I Win, Tales Perpetual War

By Matthew Yglesias on Apr 8, 2007 at 5:22 pm

Robert Farley discovers that in wingnutland if the Mahdi Army lies low in the face of the surge, that proves the surge is working, while if the Mahdi Army decides to fight US forces, that proves the surge is working. Farley feels this is illogical. He’s forgetting that the surge is Bush’s policy, which means that it’s working by definition and, thus, whatever reaction the Mahdi Army has to the surge is evidence of success.

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Politics

Fox Calls Out Gingrich Hypocrisy on Pelosi Trip to Syria

By Satyam Khanna on Apr 8, 2007 at 2:02 pm

Today on Fox News Sunday, host Chris Wallace asked former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) about his views on the Pelosi-led delegation to Syria. Gingrich criticized Pelosi, saying, “I think it’s very important not to have two foreign policies, and I think it’s very dangerous for America to do what Speaker Pelosi did.”

Wallace confronted Gingrich with public comments he made as Speaker that clashed with Clinton administration policy before and during his travels abroad to China and Israel in the 1990′s. (Glenn Greenwald first documented those statements HERE.) Gingrich said at the time:

We will defend Taiwan, period. [3/31/97]

I think it’s wrong for the American Secretary of State to become the agent for the Palestinians [3/12/98]

Gingrich responded to the Taiwan comment stating, “What I said in China was U.S. policy.” But Wallace quickly refuted him: “Not according to the Clinton administration.” Gingrich then attempted to defend his statements criticizing Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and said, “I think at the time she was taking steps that were very, very pro-Palestinian.” Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/foxnewthyp.320.240.flv]

Throughout the segment, Gingrich followed the White House line, attacking Speaker Pelosi but conveniently failing to mention that at least five Republicans also traveled to Syria last week, including Rep. David Hobson (R-OH), who accompanied Pelosi.

Contrary to Gingrich’s statements criticizing Clinton’s foreign policy, Pelosi’s delegation did not attempt to undermine President Bush. Hobson said, “We reinforced the administration’s positions and at the same time we were trying to understand and maybe getting some voice to some things people wanted to say that maybe they were not comfortable saying to the administration.”

Transcript: Read more

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Security

Rahall: Pelosi Personally Told Bush Of Syria Trip And He Did Not Object

By Faiz Shakir on Apr 8, 2007 at 12:58 pm

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), who traveled last week with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) as part of her delegation to the Middle East, said this morning on C-Span that Pelosi told Bush of the trip to Syria a day before they left, and Bush did not object.

Rahall said, “The Speaker had met with President Bush in the halls of the U.S. Capitol just the day before we left and mentioned to him that we were going to Syria. No response at all from the President.”

Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/rahallpelosisyria.320.240.flv]

Despite the White House’s public rhetoric that the trip was a “bad idea,” President Bush “did not tell her not to go, nor did the State Department tell us not to go,” Rahall said. “The State Department was certainly aware of our traveling to Syria and our full itinerary. And there were State Department officials in every meeting that we had on this codel. So that is all hogwash as far as I’m concerned.”

Transcript: Read more

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Politics

Lieberman Says Pelosi Syria Visit Was ‘Bad For America,’ Suggests Syria Was Behind 9/11

By ThinkProgress on Apr 8, 2007 at 12:14 pm

Today on CNN, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) said he “strongly disagrees” with Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) bipartisan delegation to Syria, calling it a “mistake” and “bad for the United States of America.”

Lieberman added, “I say this because we’re in a war. We’re in a war against the Islamic terrorists who attacked us on 9-11-01.” CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer responded, “But they had nothing to do with 9-11.” Lieberman dodged the issue and changed topics.

Watch it:

[flv http://video.thinkprogress.org/2007/04/liebpelosy.320.240.flv]

Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), who visited Syria last year, defended Pelosi’s trip. “I believe in the maxim, hold your friends close and your enemies closer,” Specter said. “President Ronald Reagan declared the Soviet Union to be the Evil Empire. Immediately thereafter he undertook negotiations with them.” Specter said he has been to Syria 14 times over the last two decades “and have been able to be helpful in a number of situations that I can document.”

Digg It!

Transcript: Read more