Terry Moran vs. Scott McClellan 'Last Throes' of Iraq Insurgency briefing

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/06/20050616-5.html

<snip>Q Scott, is the insurgency in Iraq in its last throes?

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, you have a desperate group of terrorists in Iraq that are doing everything they can to try to derail the transition to democracy. The Iraqi people have made it clear that they want a free and democratic and peaceful future. And that's why we're doing everything we can, along with other countries, to support the Iraqi people as they move forward. The fact that they are making great progress on the political front is significant because that helps defeat the terrorists, because the terrorists don't want to see democracy take hold. They don't want lasting democratic institutions to be put in place. And that's why we are standing with the Iraqi people as they move forward on the political front.

We're also standing with the Iraqi people as they move forward on -- to address the security situation. We are working side by side with Iraqi forces now to defeat those terrorists and regime elements who want to derail the transition to democracy. And every day we move forward on democracy and training Iraqi security forces is every day closer that we are to succeeding in Iraq.

Q But the insurgency is in its last throes?

MR. McCLELLAN: The Vice President talked about that the other day -- you have a desperate group of terrorists who recognize how high the stakes are in Iraq. A free Iraq will be a significant blow to their ambitions.

Q But they're killing more Americans, they're killing more Iraqis. That's the last throes?

MR. McCLELLAN: Innocent -- I say innocent civilians. And it doesn't take a lot of people to cause mass damage when you're willing to strap a bomb onto yourself, get in a car and go and attack innocent civilians. That's the kind of people that we're dealing with. That's what I say when we're talking about a determined enemy.

Q Right. What is the evidence that the insurgency is in its last throes?

MR. McCLELLAN: I think I just explained to you the desperation of terrorists and their tactics.

Q What's the evidence on the ground that it's being extinguished?

MR. McCLELLAN: Terry, we're making great progress to defeat the terrorist and regime elements. You're seeing Iraqis now playing more of a role in addressing the security threats that they face. They're working side by side with our coalition forces. They're working on their own. There are a lot of special forces in Iraq that are taking the battle to the enemy in Iraq. And so this is a period when they are in a desperate mode.

Q Well, I'm just wondering what the metric is for measuring the defeat of the insurgency.

MR. McCLELLAN: Well, you can go back and look at the Vice President's remarks. I think he talked about it.

Q Yes. Is there any idea how long a last throe lasts for?

MR. McCLELLAN: Go ahead, Steve.

[LightningFlash]

1. Yes just let the bullshit keep spewing.

"The United States is in Iraq because it is essential to its security."


You are refuted by your own words:

"We're going to take Saddom out by regime change."

Scott keeps saying "These are people who blow themselves up."

Blow themselves up when they are so opressed they can't live in their own country!!!!! :mad:

[mcctatas]

2. So, do you ever wonder if they go back and watch videos of themselves...

McClellan would probably thinking, "I am so full of shit. Oh my god, do I have an abnormally large head?":crazy:

[wtmusic]

3. Good attack

But man, just once, just fucking once, I would like to hear one of these reporters say no to the "Go ahead, Steve" bullshit. Demand an answer, and don't shut up until you get one.

[TeeYiYi]

4. As long as it takes to turn a corner. . . .

That's how long a last throe has the potential to last. And, as I recall, we've been turning the corner for quite some time now.

Hooray Terry Moran.:applause:

TYY

[mediaman007]

8. We've turned the corner so many times, that we're

back where we started.

[krkaufman]

5. Well done, Terry Moran

I've been Tivo'ing ABC World News Tonight for ages, and have grown to loathe Terry Moran for his semi-publicist approach to covering the White House (by pretty much echoing their press releases); but, I've gotta say, he hung in there sufficiently long enough to get the point across to anyone watching/listening that the "last throes" soundbite is bullshit.

And that last "Is there any idea how long a last throe lasts for?" was just exquisite.

Gonna have to write a thank you to Terry (and ask for more).

Thanks for the report.

[ET Awful]

6. LOL . . . "Is there any idea how long a last throe lasts for?"

BUAHAHAHAHAHA

[cthrumatrix]

7. Cheney meant they are "throwing roses" like he predicted before the war

[leftchick]

9. perhaps even Terry is getting impatient with the BS

it is a start.