Harry Reid: The Clock is Ticking, Mr. President

[CatWoman]

Frankly, I don't believe that more troops is the answer for Iraq. It's a civil war and America should not be policing a Sunni-Shia conflict. In addition, we don't have the additional forces to put in there. We obviously want to support what commanders in the field say they need, but apparently even the Joint Chiefs do not support increased combat forces for Baghdad. My position on Iraq is simple:

1. I believe we should start redeploying troops in 4 to 6 months (The Levin-Reed Plan) and complete the withdrawal of combat forces by the first quarter of 2008. (As laid out by the Iraq Study Group)

2. The President must understand that there can only be a political solution in Iraq, and he must end our nation's open-ended military commitment to that country.

3. These priorities need to be coupled with a renewed diplomatic effort and regional strategy.

I do not support an escalation of the conflict. I support finding a way to bring our troops home and would look at any plan that gave a roadmap to this goal.

It's been two weeks since the Iraq Study Group released its plan to change the course and bring our troops home. Since then, the President has been on a fact finding tour of his own administration -- apparently ignoring the facts presented by those in the military who know best. The President needs to put forth a plan as soon as possible, one that reflects the reality on the ground in Iraq and that withdraws our troops from the middle of this deadly civil war.


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sen-harry-reid/the-clock-is-ticking-mr_b_36752.html

[whistle]

1. Yep, January 5th 2007 will be here in no time

...and the first order of business for the 110th congress must be impeachment of Bush/Cheney

<snip>
New Congress to toughen oversight
With their spending powers limited, Democrats aim to keep tabs on issues from Iraq to consumer protection.
By Gail Russell Chaddock | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor

WASHINGTON – With little prospect of funding bold spending initiatives, Democrats poised to take control of the 110th Congress are reviving the ability to investigate the executive branch.
With more workdays in Washington and the creation of subcommittees charged exclusively with investigation, Democratic leaders and new committee chairs aim to jump-start oversight on issues ranging from the Iraq war to homeland security and consumer protection. <MORE>

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/1221/p02s01-uspo.html

[last1standing]

2. Ok, I'm confused.

Didn't he say he supported the "surge" a week ago? Can someone explain this in a way I'll actually understand (with small words and pictures if possible)?

[Jon8503]

3. Ya, I need some help on this too because I understood the other

Reid was saying he supported a temporary increase. They even asked Senator Kennedy about this Sunday morning because he does not support any increase in troops.

[longship]

4. Please don't jump to conclusions.

Yes, Reid said he *could* support a surge. I don't have the link to his original words but, in effect, he said that he would support a temporary surge if it were used in conjunction with a Iraq pull-out or redeployment in three or four months. Of course, there's no way the "war president" is going to buy into that.

Many DUers and other liberal bloggers jumped the shark on this and began screeching about Reid supporting a surge when his position was far more nuanced. As we now know, Senator Reid was *never* for a surge in Iraq. His comment the other day was a rope-a-dope, to stick one to the Chimp.

All told, this turned out okay. However, I can't help but think that these complaints were a tactical blunder on our part. All the complaints from people has had Harry clarifying his position so that the rope-a-dope is no longer in play. I would have preferred that folks would have understood what Reid was doing and let things go.

IMHO, Reid had Chimp set up so that the small troop surge would be viewed as not doing much good except to help secure the troops during redeployment. It was a smart tactic on Reid's part, now sadly gone. On the other hand, I don't know that it would have gotten the press to make it effective. So, it probably doesn't matter.

[JoMama49]

5. Senator Reid was on the Big Eddy show today, and he mentioned

that he said he might support a troop buildup on MTP last Sunday, but that after speaking with generals on the ground in Iraq, they told him "no way" - it would just accentuate our occupation and bring about more carnage. So, as of today, he said a troop surge is NOT the way to go, and he does not support it. He even said "It won't happen."