On Iraq questions, Senate learns from House mistakes

[babylonsister]

http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/12845.html

On Iraq questions, Senate learns from House mistakes
Posted September 11th, 2007 at 1:43 pm


snip//

The deep-seated doubt expressed at the hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee reflected just how far Congress had come since the war began over four years ago. And Republican senators raised tough questions that rivaled those asked by Democratic presidential hopefuls on the panel.

That’s actually not hyperbole, and it’s also not because the Dems were holding back. Most of the Foreign Relations Committee have availed themselves well this morning, not just for political theater, but in gleaning some important information.

There’s simply no way to summarize all the exchanges, but here are some details to keep in mind:

* Committee Chairman Joe Biden (D-Del.) got Petraeus to concede his proposed troop withdrawals — allegedly a major concession — were scheduled to happen anyway.

* Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.), who rhetorically broke with the Bush policy in June (though he won’t vote against it), continued to express his disapproval this morning. As Tim Grieve noted, Lugar believes it’s time to “lay the groundwork” for “sustainable alternatives,” to “prepare for the next phase of our involvement in Iraq, whether that is a partial withdrawal, a gradual redeployment or some other option.”

* Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) crushed Petraeus and Crocker on why the surge policy is not responsible for progress in Anbar.

* Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) accused Petraeus and Crocker of “bright-line contradictions” between their assessments and independent data. He also emphasized that if a surge can’t bring about political reconciliation, there shouldn’t be a surge.

* Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) pressed Petraeus and Crocker on al Qaeda and accused them of suffering from “myopia.”

* And Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) asked Crocker what the chances are of political progress before the end of Bush’s presidency. Crocker couldn’t say.

Stay tuned.

[snappyturtle]

1. I've been listening and I have a question. What do you think the

results will be of this hearing?

[babylonsister]

3. Hell if I know. I'd like to think Congress as a whole would find this

surge extension unacceptable and demand troops start coming home immediately as there's nothing to be gained in the long run, and lots to lose. But having hopefully learned from recent history myself, I have major doubts. I suspect they'll agree to some sort of compromise and hopefully won't cave completely.

[tnlurker]

4. Nothing

It will make page 3 of most paper tomorrow and be a short footnote on the national newscast tonight. Nobody will really cover it because yesterday's was covered well (they got all their talking points covered). The only exception will be Keith O.
It was on the front page of my paper today with the pro administration spin. Tomorrow it will be buried.

[bryant69]

5. Well the upshot of these hearings is going to be continued funding for the war

I suppose many people here have determined that Democrats are going to cave on this issue and fund the war, in which case all those tough questions mean nothing.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[snappyturtle]

6. I read the other two responses to my question and I agree with you.

It's a dog and pony show for the public.

[bryant69]

7. I don't think that incidentally - I have some faith in our elected Dems. n/t

[snappyturtle]

8. Well I guess that's where I disagree with you....I have little faith in

our elected Dems....however, I HOPE they can do the right thing.

[TwilightGardener]

2. The FRC did a great job today, IMO--hard, tough statements and questions

but no disrespect or browbeating of the witnesses. They should have gone first. Who let the House go first? Who sends the B-team in at the start of the game?