Harry Reid says he will go along with surge in troops IF temporary.

[spanone]

As George Stephanopolous asked, How will you know if it's temporary? Good question George.

No answer from Harry. CUT OFF THE FUCKING FUNDING, THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

Edited to put in correct show host.

[The Count]

1. Temporary? As in, "I'll report back to Congress every 6 months about the war?"

Or, Patriot Act temporary?
That's it. We've been sold out. Again. the lunatics STILL run the asylum, the sane people are afraid to say "NO"

[spanone]

2. As in, temporary tax cuts?

[watrwefitinfor]

3. Or trusting? As in: I'll vote to give you war powers

If you promise you'll only use them as a "last resort."

[spanone]

6. Don't you think George will TELL us it's temporary??? Til he's out of office.

Then all bets are off and it's no longer HIS problem.

[The Count]

4. Did reid hear Dick's speech about permanent war? or was he absent, busy

being "misled" about the reasons for going to war?
Even Tim Ruslut sees the enormity....

[kstewart33]

5. Reid: temporary as in a couple of months. eom

[spanone]

9. I can't believe Harry Reid thinks we will have any kind of determination in 'months'.

This is caving into the BULLSHIT. Reid quoted the ISG, if he believes in it he should stand by it and give these criminal bastards NO BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT.

It shouldn't take a brick to the head to know these bastards lie.

[MadHound]

14. Once the troops are in, how the hell are they going to get them out?

The time to prevent this is now. Allow more troops in on a "temporary" basis simply means that more troops, more innocent Iraqis are going to die, all the while Bush and his buddies make more money off the war. More troops is simply going to be another tactic to drag out this war for the rest of Bush's administration, and probably beyond.

It is time to bring the troops home, NOW. Not next week, next month, or next year. The army and the war has to be defunded if Bush insists on throwing more troops on the pyre of his greed. The American people didn't put the Democrats in majority position to watch more of the same ol' same ol' bullshit. No "temporary" measures. End this war now.

[rodeodance]

23. oh----another 'listening tour"????

[The Count]

25. All those killed during this 2 months get to be resurrected. Promise!

[rodeodance]

7. on Fox just now, Ted Kennedy says he does NOT agree with Harry.

[rodeodance]

8. This 'surge' mentality is catching on!! drats

[rodeodance]

10. Powell-on Face the Nation (central time)-----says we have not lost yet---

[rodeodance]

11. Powell saying we tried the "surge" this summer and it did NOT work,

[rodeodance]

13. Powell asking would be the mission if there was a Surge!

[spanone]

12. Yes, but didn't Chris Wallace quote HARRY REID???? Jeeebus.

[rodeodance]

15. yes, and Ted Kennedy said he disagrees.

[Jokinomx]

16. Well....Well....Well...

What the hell is he thinking...more lives lost... for what? It sounds like Nixon bombing the hell out North Vietnam in one last "surge" to end the war... what a joke..

Lets put all those that want to do this on the frikkin front lines and let them fight this war...

jezzus h krist.... this pisses me off...

:rant:

[rodeodance]

21. well said!

[NoPasaran]

54. Well...

Nixon's last intensified campaign of bombing North Vietnam in December, 1972 was followed by the Paris Peace Accords and final US withdrawl from the war in January, 1973.

The Vietnamese were still fucked, but at least we got out of there. If something similar happened in Iraq, I doubt many Americans would be unhappy.

[rodeodance]

17. Powell does not seem in favor of any SURGE--saying our military is

broken already.

[rodeodance]

19. saying our Miliatary is NOT set up for a surge ----

[spanone]

18. In light of the ISG report, Reid should be screaming about the surge. IMHO

Sorry, this really pisses me off.

These fuckers have had enough rope, have hung themselves dozens of times and our people are STILL DYING.

[rodeodance]

20. this is the first time I heard of Reids position. DAMM

[blm]

46. Wanna bet Reid espouses the Clintons' position?

.

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

48. The ISG report makes allowances for a "surge."

Page 50. Don't have the link handy. Will edit post when found.

[The Count]

22. Temporary??? So, they'll revive those killed during this?

[rodeodance]

24. those in charge do NOT have have heard: "THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN."

[rodeodance]

26. REC.

[kohodog]

27. Dems are still acting like they are in the minority.

It is suicide for them to agree with increased troops and increased funds. It just goes to show how out of touch the club in washington is. It took less than am month for them to ignore the will of the people and go back to their capitulating ways.

[MadHound]

32. No, they're still acting like the corporate controlled sock puppets they are.

Too many people in the military industrial complex are making money on this war. They have had the foresight to donate heavily to both sides of the aisle, resulting in our current two party/same corporate master system of government we have now. Therefore, despite all the celebration about Democratic majorities, I fear that this war, and the other madness accompanying it will continue to drag on. There are a few independent spirits in the House and Senate, but too few to make a real difference.

[kohodog]

49. Well said. I will not support any of the Corporate Dem presidential candidates

That includes Hillary, Kerry, Biden and most of the rest. I don't know about Obama, but Edwards is not a corporate whore imho.

[Beelzebud]

28. Reid needs to keep in mind that his job could be temporary.

[ToeBot]

29. I'm beginning to think the Dem's are perpetuating this mess, hoping to use it to their advantage...

in the next election, call me cynical.

[senseandsensibility]

30. This is the thread title I've been afraid of reading on DU

since the election. Depressing doesn't even begin to describe it. Are we going to take this? Or will we rebel?

[Junkdrawer]

31. The three greatest lies of all time...

#3: I'll respect you in the morning....


#2: The check is in the mail....

---- AND -----

#1: This is only a TEMPORARY Escallation....

[KoKo]

33. Some strategic air strikes into Iran along with the "surge" should make things better

because America won't look weak ...also helps the "Idiot-in-Thief" reclaim some of his credibilty that "American Military ain't broken."

Wait..and see. This is the "strategy." Our Dems have to go along. Otherwise we look weak and Dems don't want America to look weak. It's not good for the country.

[bahrbearian]

34. Give them more ammo Harry, they'll turn it on you and say,,,

Well' We all voted for the War.,, We all wanted more troops/

[Warren Stupidity]

35. ESCALATION

They are escalating the war. "Surge" is bullshit intended to confuse.

[Beelzebud]

36. If Reid actually supports this escalation, he doesn't deserve his job.

[Junkdrawer]

37. I just posted the news link in LBN...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2656112

Word gets out fast nowadays, huh?

[bigtree]

38. edit: He didn't commit to anything

disappointing first hearing of it.

Second thought, though . . . the politics. The numbers it would take for a resolution preventing Bush may not be there.

Also, if there can be some agreement, as, it appears Reid wants, to make it 'temporary', it may be smart to give Bush the end of the rope; if that's what it amounts to. I'm thinking of Bush and the republicans going into 2008 claiming Democrats wouldn't let them 'win' the occupation.

I don't believe we have enough votes to take the occupation out of Bush's hands. This has to be done politically. I just hope Reid has a better plan than just going along. I hope there is some sort of compromise, some ultimate agreement with the WH which promises to start bringing troops home. We can't trust Bush, but there will be some value in having him commit to an end game and then holding him to it. Right now, he can just ignore Congress and do what he wants until they upend him with some impeachment or some other pressure; uncertain propositions. Locking him into an exit strategy (right now there is none) would not be a bad plan.

Think of the politics. Then, recall Reid's stated opposition to the occupation, coupled with his party's opposition. I wouldn't be too pessimistic about this. It may be less of a cave-in than it appears from some words spoken on a talk show when it all plays out.


Reid: http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2006/12/17/america/NA_GEN_US_Iraq.php

"If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we'll go along with that," said the Democratic senator, citing a time frame such as two months to three months. But a period longer than that, such as 18 months to 24 months, would be unacceptable, he said.

"The American people will not allow this war to go on as it has. It simply is a war that will not be won militarily. It can only be won politically," Reid said. "We have to change course in Iraq."

[Junkdrawer]

40. See my LBN link above...

"If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we'll go along with that," said the Democratic senator, citing a time frame such as two months to three months. But a period longer than that, such as 18 months to 24 months, would be unacceptable, he said.

"The American people will not allow this war to go on as it has. It simply is a war that will not be won militarily. It can only be won politically," Reid said. "We have to change course in Iraq."

[bigtree]

41. thanks Junkdrawer

politics is very wearying.

[spanone]

51. But Here's The Headline: Reid: Brief Troop Increase OK in Iraq

Most Americans Only Read The Headlines Unfortunately.

~snip~
Reid: Brief Troop Increase OK in Iraq

By HOPE YEN
The Associated Press
Sunday, December 17, 2006; 4:01 PM

WASHINGTON -- The Senate's top Democrat offered qualified support Sunday for a plan to increase U.S. troops in Iraq, saying it would be acceptable as part of a broader strategy to bring combat forces home by 2008.

President Bush's former secretary of state, however, expressed doubts any troop surge would be effective, noting U.S. forces already are overextended. "The American Army isn't large enough to secure Baghdad," said Colin Powell, Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman during the 1991 Gulf War.~snip~

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/17/AR2006121700242.html

[XOKCowboy]

56. two months to three months

It's called giving them enough rope to hang themselves. McCain, Leiberman, Bush and all of the remaining hawks. Bush has the foreign policy power and the ego to try anything, even "the surge bs". Only one problem.

They'll never pull it off. We don't have the troops or the reserves to do it. It'll finally show America that our military is broken thanks to Iraq. It could lead to getting us out of Iraq that much sooner. Just my $.02

[Toots]

39. It sure would do my heart good if one Democrat would stand and prove Nader wrong

Nader said "There is very little difference between the two Parties" Please Please someone prove him wrong...

[bigtree]

45. little difference between Nader and our opposition at times

but, that's for another thread.

Reid has one vote like the rest of our Democrats. He'll hear it from those who disagree and either represent them or be pushed aside. I haven't lost faith in Harry Reid.

Reid: "The American people will not allow this war to go on as it has. It simply is a war that will not be won militarily. It can only be won politically," Reid said. "We have to change course in Iraq."

[Individualist]

42. Surprise, surprise

A DLCer going along with the neocons. :puke:

[sadiesworld]

43. I see no point in bothering with elections anymore.

[bobbolink]

44. I'm ever so glad Harry is a "street fighter" and "strong leader"

:sarcasm:

How many deaths in this "political expediency"?

How many deaths until middle-of-the-roaders decide maybe we actually need REAL leadership, instead of just a "D"?

[Cass]

47. In the immortal words of Dubya: can't get fooled again

Hasn't Reid learned his lesson about this bunch yet?

:banghead:

[NotGivingUp]

50. Cut off the fricking funding!!!

[cool user name]

52. FUUUUUUUUUUUUCKKKKKKK!

:eyes:

[spanone]

53. The more I've thought about this the more the word 'temporary' means absolutely nothing.

This leaves the situation totally open ended, totally up to bush* and totally non-committal. DEFINE TEMPORARY HARRY OR YOU'LL BE SORRY. BUSH* WILL FUCK YOU AGAIN.

[senseandsensibility]

55. I agree. This is really scary.

The thought that this congress has learned nothing about the * cabal is truly frightening. Either they've learned nothing or they just don't care. I don't know which is more frightening. :-(

[Bobbie Jo]

57. Stop the fucking madness already....

Bring 'em home NOW! :spank: