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| General Petraeus takes the Hill |
| 2008-04-08 |
| David Corn, Mother Jones . . . The Democrats on the committee took shots at the the-surge-is-working narrative, but with their 10-minute-long bursts of disjointed questions they were not able to redefine the debate. . . . Free of fireworks—except for a few outbursts from protesters in the audience—the hearing was no game changer. Senator Hillary Clinton criticized the Bush administration's "same failed policies" in Iraq. But she did not forcefully challenge Petraeus and Crocker. In a low-key manner, she nudged Petraeus to state under what conditions he would "recommend to the president that the current strategy is not working." The general sidestepped the question. Clinton did not pound him for that. The committee Democrats missed an opportunity to confront vigorously the front men for Bush's war in Iraq. It was not as if they hoisted a white flag. They did cite facts and figures that undermine the overall thrust of Petraeus' and Crocker's presentations. They raised pointed criticisms. They griped about the costs of the war. But it did not add up to much of an assault on Bush's policies. Given that congressional opposition to the war has lost much steam in the past year, perhaps this was to be expected. After all, Democrats in Congress appear to have given up on passing any legislation that would alter U.S. policies in Iraq. They know the public agrees with them on the war. (Warner noted that up to 80 percent of Americans don't believe the war was worth it.) But the Democrats have been stymied by a president who refuses to pull back in Iraq. With Petraeus and Crocker spending two high-profile days on Capitol Hill to appear before four committees, the Democrats have a chance to undercut the White House story—which has gained traction within the media (if not within the public)—that the surge has been a success. In the opening round, they did not do much to inconvenience Petraeus and Crocker. It was not an entirely triumphant appearance for the pair, but it was good enough for anyone who favors a continuation of the current course in Iraq, and that includes their boss in the White House. Mother Jones is a lefty propaganda rag, and David Corn is an old hippie who thinks Ted Kennedy is too conservative. I'd expect him to spin his report to say that his team won if there was any way possible to do it. Corn says that his team lost. I'd call that pretty good evidence that the surrender monkeys lost. |
| Posted by:Mike |
| #8 No, because the current crop of Democrats are not "his team". David CornHoleo would not pass up a chance to degraded and sabotage our Military unless Obama was CINC, John Conyers was J.C.S, NSA Director waz fat Teddy Kennedy, NRO way any commie rat bastarsd sleeper from the olde USSR! |
| Posted by: RD 2008-04-08 23:55 |
| #7 If I'm still breathing in and out then, I'm looking forward to voting for Petraeus. |
| Posted by: Fred 2008-04-08 21:10 |
| #6 way too put it pro, damn just syhove it up their ass would be my way |
| Posted by: sinse 2008-04-08 20:11 |
| #5 The Donks don't want to face Petraeus in '12 or '16. There is an old story about Ben Franklin who was the Royal Postmaster General for His Majesty's Government. The Privy Council called old Ben before them and gave him a rather nasty grilling and hammering and then the firing. Ben never forgot. One of his delights was working the Frenchies in 1777 to pay back those politicians. Careful who you abuse. Payback may be very distasteful and expensive in the future. |
| Posted by: Procopius2k 2008-04-08 19:29 |
| #4 Instalanche The perfesser linked to Corn's article this afternoon. |
| Posted by: Hector 2008-04-08 18:41 |
| #3 Interesting to take a look at the comments following the Corn article. Most of the commenters are on our side. Does that mean that the smelly hippies are all away from their computers this afternoon? Or something more? |
| Posted by: Mike 2008-04-08 17:31 |
| #2 I'd expect him to spin his report to say that his team won if there was any way possible to do it. No, because the current crop of Democrats are not "his team". |
| Posted by: Pappy 2008-04-08 17:02 |
| #1 The General didn't give them any handles to grab onto, did he. |
| Posted by: Steve White 2008-04-08 16:58 |