McCain asks Iraq PM to break with cleric (al-Sadr)

[leftchick]

What a Great Democracy, eh? :eyes:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq

<snip>

Lieberman said the senators met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, and urged him to break his ties with Muqtada al-Sadr and disarm the anti-U.S. cleric's Mahdi Army militia, which has been blamed along with Sunni Arab insurgents for the sectarian violence and ruthless attacks on U.S. forces.

Al-Sadr controls 30 of the 275 parliament seats and is a key figure in al-Maliki's coalition.

Lieberman said the delegation left its meetings with al-Maliki, President Jalal Talabani and other Iraqi officials believing "there is a force of moderates within the context of Iraqi politics coming together to strengthen the center here against the extremists."

He said the delegation was "quite explicit" about "how important it is that the Iraqis themselves begin to take aggressive action to disarm the militias, to stop the sectarian violence and to involve all the people in country to governance," including promised provincial elections.

But the senator also said moderates in parliament may look for another leader if al-Maliki fails to do that.

[Lost-in-FL]

1. I have the feeling...

that in 2008, Lieberman and not McCain, will be running for office. Lieberman is the only hope for a GOP victory and this thanks to the Democratic Warmongers.

[rebel with a cause]

8. could be the two of them.

What a lovely picture that would be. :puke:

[SOS]

14. Google "McCain Lieberman 2008"

and this excursion to Iraq quickly comes into focus as a campaign stop.

[rebel with a cause]

15. I already had that feeling

and I had even googled it. See my earlier post (#12) on the matter. Now I will go and google and see the proof.

[SOS]

18. Yes

I see your post 12, there is definitely something going on with these two.
Also remember the McCain/Lieberman Iraq Liberation Act of 1998. They were gung-ho for war in Iraq before Bush was President.
There was also a rumor that McCain and Lieberman threatened Bush with a 2004 third party run if he didn't invade Iraq.
What a great thing to have these two as opponents!
With zero charisma and a record of total failure in Iraq, they should be easy to beat.

[rebel with a cause]

19. We can only hope,

but look at 2004 and bush. There was a lot of people that thought we couldn't lose that one either.
:argh:

[pocoloco]

9. Not good!

What AIPAC wants it usually gets!

[Donnachaidh]

2. Is Lieberman bucking for another shot at the VP spot?

He's certainly becoming McCain's evil twin lately. :sarcasm:

[scarletwoman]

3. Disarm Sadr's militia? Yeah, right. You and what army? (nt)

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

4. Um, John...

Was the big recent uproar with Sadr over his pledge to break ties with the PM?

[Tom Joad]

5. Did Iraqi leaders insist McCain break with Bush?

WTF does McCain have any business telling Iraqi leaders how what to do?

[Heewack]

17. Since they are wanting us to stay

Maliki needs as much support in the U.S. Congress as he can get.

[GainesT1958]

6. Reeeeal easy for THEM to ask that, huh?

THEY'RE not the ones who would likely face being blown up by a car bomb or being shot by a sniper for making that move.

Our "stay-the-courseniks" are so out of touch with the truth in Iraq it would be laughable--if it weren't so tragic!

It'll be fascinating to see how McCain defends "doubling down" in 2008...I fail to see how voters will be persuaded to solving the failings of one Repub...with another!?:eyes:

B-)

[Straight Shooter]

7. McCain seems to know less about Iraq and the Middle East than bush. n/t

[Warren Stupidity]

10. Why are senators conducting foreign policy? nt.

[acmavm]

11. Exactly what I was wondering. Especially the two most self-

centered of the whole damn Senate body.

[rebel with a cause]

12. In my opinion,

It is PR for the 2008 election. Two of bush's favorite kiss ups would make the perfect "bipartisan ticket", as least that is what they would be sold as. The "middle of the road duo", although they have both been bush's go to guys.

[BushOut06]

13. He needs to shut the fuck up already

The GOP has no credibility whatsoever when it comes to foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.

[Tempest]

16. Alternate Headline: McCain Tells al-Maliki To Commit Suicide

al-Maliki is only in power by the good graces of al Sadr.

Only as long as al-Maliki serves al Sadr will he stay in power.

[CrazyForKucinich]

20. Exactly what I was thinking when reading the title.

Damn! You beat me to it. :)