Biden tells UnionLeader to beware of Petreaus cooking the books

[jillan]

The full interview will be posted tomorrow, but here
are some highlights -

Delaware Sen. Joe Biden says Gen. David Petraeus is not “betraying us,” as a liberal activist group charges, but the Democratic presidential hopeful does not reject charges that the military commander is using selected statistics to do the White House’s bidding.

“There is some accuracy to” so-called “cooking-the-books” charges being leveled against Petraeus, Biden, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said today in an interview with UnionLeader.com.


But as to whether Petraeus is “betraying us,” as MoveOn.org rhetorically asked today in an ad in the New York Times, Biden said, “I don’t think he’s betraying us. I think he’s making a case on its merits that there has been some progress in an area that is not the central crux of the problem.”

“But it’s not like he’s lying about that,” Biden said. “It is true that there are not as many al-Qaida in Anbar province receiving the cooperation of tribal chiefs. But so what?”He said a non-partisan congressional accounting office has cited statistics showing different results.

Biden said, “Rather than get into a statistical fight here,” he believes, “Even if they’re right, it doesn’t matter. Even if they’re right, it doesn’t go to -- by the President’s own definition -- what constitutes the success of the surge, to give breathing room to establish some political reconciliation. And they haven’t done that at all.”

Biden, who supports withdrawal by mid-2008, said Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker are scheduled to appear before the panel Biden chairs tomorrow.

[TwilightGardener]

1. Should be an interesting face-off tomorrow in the FRC hearing.

[jillan]

3. The best of the best!

looking forward to it!

[PatSeg]

6. I love Senate hearings!

Obviously I don't have a life!!!

Seriously though, there is something really exciting about these hearings. Patrick Leahy and Joe Biden are the best. Oh and Barbara Boxer questioning Condi - priceless!

[kurth]

2. Petraeus has no credibility

[PatSeg]

25. Petraues and Crocker looked SO nervous today

Just imagine how they'll look tomorrow!

It's like watching the school yard bully going to the principal's office. Not so tough now. Cheney is the only one I can't see shrinking and sweating. I think he'd be cocky and arrogant to the end.

[PatSeg]

4. Oops!

I just posted a similar message at almost exactly the same time. We must have both gotten the alert simultaneously.

Yours is much better though!

[jillan]

5. Where is yours?????

I still can't find it

[PatSeg]

7. It's quickly fading away

It was "Beware of cooking the books". I thought that would attract more attention.

We are rapidly becoming of one mind! I think I'll check with you before I do anything!!!

[jillan]

8. Don't be silly -

Great minds think alike:pals:

That is so funny that we picked the same article.

[PatSeg]

10. And posted on the same sites earlier!

I've been laughing for the last ten minutes!:rofl:

[lyonn]

9. Biden will be chairing the hearing,

Should make it more fun. When does it start?

[jillan]

11. 9:30 am

which is 6:30 pirhana time.

I really should go to bed!

[PatSeg]

14. Okay, I read the wrong one

C-span said 2 PM but that was the Armed Services Committee with Carl Levin.

[PatSeg]

12. 2 PM Eastern

This may be the highlight of my week!

[jillan]

13. I *think* that's when the Armed Services Committee goes after them.

Levin, Clinton - another good show.

I'll check for sure.

on edit - I just checked:
09:30 AM EDT
1:00 (est.) LIVE
Senate Committee
Status of War in Iraq
Foreign Relations
Joseph R. Biden Jr., D-DE
David H. Petraeus , Multinational Force-Iraq

[PatSeg]

15. You have to stop typing at the same time I do!!!

It is getting weird!!!

[jillan]

17. I'm done -

We can continue this tomorrow!

[lyonn]

16. Thanks you two!

I will be looking for your posts in the a.m., ha

[PatSeg]

20. We'll try not to be redundant!

[sandnsea]

18. Biden kicking Bush Butt

Not 100 responses in a minute. Not even a recommend.

Are we sure we're all fighting the same battle??

Thanks for the post. :hi:

[PatSeg]

22. I forgot to recommend, thanks for reminding me

I think everyone is a bit burned out today. Its been kind of quiet here because of the hearings.

"Biden kicking Bush Butt" - love it!

[Cameron27]

19. This will be good tomorrow,

Petraeus should be putty in Biden's hands.

[jillan]

21. and Kerry's and Boxer's and Feingold, Hagel, Obama

I feel like I am forgetting someone...

[lyonn]

23. Love the way he smiles his toothy smile while

sticking the knife in them. He is such a gentleman, ha

[PatSeg]

24. Yeah, beware the toothy grin!

You're about to get it big time!

And Patrick Leahy has that sweet grandfatherly smile as he calmly tears you to pieces. Poor Gonzo. I'm sure he thought he was headed for the woodshed.