Last week, Harry Reid was widely criticized for saying that the Iraq war "is lost." On
Power Line, I explained why I thought Reid's comment was both incorrect and politically misguided. Today, Reid
backed off his claim, and, almost as though he were taking my advice, couched his criticisms in terms of a "failed policy" rather than a "lost war:"
The Senate majority leader drew criticism from Bush and others last week when he said the war in Iraq had been lost. He did not repeat the assertion in his prepared speech, saying that "The military mission has long since been accomplished. The failure has been political. It has been policy. It has been presidential."
There is an irony here; Reid is echoing the "mission accomplished" banner for which President Bush has long been abused. But news accounts haven't focused on this point, instead, they have emphasized Reid's claim that the President is in "denial" on Iraq:
Reid noted disapprovingly that in a speech last week, Bush repeatedly said there were signs of progress in Iraq in the wake of a troop increase he ordered last winter. "The White House transcript says the president made those remarks in the state of Michigan. I believe he made them in the state of denial," said Reid.
In fact, though, there are signs of progress in Iraq, both as
measured statistically and as reported by many observers. It is Reid, not Bush, who doesn't want to address the evidence, but rather seeks to achieve his objective by bullying. There is an interesting parallel here to the Democrats' tactic on global warming. There, too, they refuse to engage the evidence offered by skeptics, and instead insist that the debate is over and anyone who disagrees with them is "in denial." This is, in general, not an approach that is followed by people who have strong arguments and evidence on their side. So it shouldn't be surprising that many people conclude that what Reid fears in Iraq is not failure but success, as suggested eloquently by
Chip Bok:
Reader Comments ( Page 3 of 16)
31. HARRY REID IS CORRECT.BUSH IS A DRAFT DOGER,AND LIKE MOST RECOVERING ALCHOLIC NEEDS A 12 STEP PROGRAMFOR GUIDENCE.HE IS DISSULSIONAL. IF HE WERE FROM A POOR FAMILY, HE WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN AN INSTUTION FOR THE CRIMINALLY INSANE. HE AND EVERYONE HE APPOINTED ARE CHAUVINEST, LIERS INCLUDING CHANEY (HALLABERTONS STOCK WENT UP 300%)( ROVE ,DELAY,WOLFOWITZ AND MORE.THEY LIED AND GOT US INTO THIS MESS AND KILLED 3000 OF OUR YOUTH.WOUNDED 10,000 MORE FOR LIFE AND NEVER LOST ANY OF THEIR FAMILY OR MONEY. "TAX BRAKES FOR THE RICH. TRICKLE DOWN BULLSHIT".GIVE MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE POOR.
THEY SHOULD BE IMPEACHD.ANYONE WHO WOULD VOTE TO CONTINUE THIS WAR SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO SEND THEIR 2 CLOSEST DRAFT AGE CHILDREN OR GRAND CHILDREN OVER THERE.IMMEDIATILY.BUSH INVENTED "PORK AND NOT FUNDING THE TROOPS. I VOLENTER TO SHIP OUT TO IRACS FOR THE FRONT LINES IN A HUNVEE WITH BUSHES 2 DAUGHTERS WHO ARE OUT DRINKING AND DANCING WHILE THE POOR "VOLNTERS (WHO ENLISTED BECAUSE THERE ARE NO JOBS" ARE LOSEING THEIR LEGS AND WILL NEVER WALK,NEVER MIND ,DANCE.MANY NOW HAVE BRAIN DAMAGE FOR LIFE. ANYONE WHOCOULD VOTE FOR ANY REPUBLICAN IN 2008 MUST BE BRAIN DEAD.CHARLES HUNTER AGE 71 USARMY 1955
HANMARSPOTPOURRI at 7:58PM on Apr 23rd 2007
32. I must be Brain dead... and I have a Nephew Flying a copter over there and another working on a patriot missile battery.
Steve T at 7:41PM on Apr 23rd 2007
33. I must be Brain dead... and I have a Nephew Flying a copter over there and another working on a patriot missile battery.
Steve T at 7:41PM on Apr 23rd 2007
34. Sen Harry Reid is from Nevada,,,,are those people that nuts in Nevada,, why don't they elect a yellow bellied coward to represent them,,,wait a minute ,,,,they did, his name is Harry Reid...Come on Nevada America knows you can do better then that poor excuse of a man....The Terrorists are serious and they could care less if Harry Reid is on their side or not, they will hit us again,,,you could kick old Harry out and vote for one of the ladies at the ranch in Las Vegas,,they have more N- - - then old Harry does.
D Barber at 7:47PM on Apr 23rd 2007
35. Reid is only after future votes for the democrats, Pelosi and Murtha spuring him on.Meanwhile our troops are in need while they play politics. I am so sick of these so called working for the people they claim, Pelosi should be impeached, the rest get rid of them. How much more of traitors do we need. Some people put the dems in power there, our troops are paying the price and the terroists love Reid, Pelosi. God help us if we have future traitors in the next election. It isn't about the politicians, which they just don't get. it's about our men and women who need our support. Reid is a looney bin along with "runaway bride eyes" Pelosi.
jane at 7:54PM on Apr 23rd 2007
36. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW PEOPLE CANNOT SEE THAT THERE IS NO MILITARY SOLUTION IN IRAQ. I AM RETIRED FROM THE MILITARY,FOUGHT IN KOREA ETC. WE WHO SAY THE WAR IS LOST IN IRAQ ARE NOT DISING THE TROOPS. THEY HAVE DONE A MARVELOUS JOB AND AND DOING WHAT IS ASKED OF THEM. IF YOU THINK TALKING ABOUT GETTING THEM OUT OF THERE BY A CERTAIN DATE IS DEMORALIZING TO THEM,THEN I ASSUME YOU HAVE NOT SERVED IN THE MILITARY. WHEN YOU ARE SENT TO A WAR ZONE AND SAID YOU WILL BE THERE ONE YEAR, YOU MENTALLY PREPARE YOUR SELF. WHEN YOUR TOURS ARE EXTENDED IN A WAR ZONE AS THEY HAVE BEEN, THERE IS A DEMORALIZING EFFECT AT HOME AND IN THE RANKS OF THE GI'S. THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB. AND TO KEEP SENDING THE SAME PEOPLE BACK FOR MORE THAN ONE OR TWO TOURS IN THE WAR ZONE IS UNCONSIONABLE. WE NEED OUT OF THERE IMMEDIATELY AND LET THE POLITICIANS SETTLE THIS. THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOW BEING PUT IN CHARGE OF THE MILTARY ARE VERY CAPABLE. UNFORTUNATELY THEY GOT IN TOO LATE AND IT IS OUT OF CONTROL.
RICH at 7:56PM on Apr 23rd 2007
37. Reid - you don't tell your enemies you have lost when you are still fighting - maybe not ever! Reid is a small minded politician at the core - more interested in political bickering than doing what is right. I really question if much of our population really understands what we are currently fighting. The democrats spew a lot of rhetoric and their abilities, understanding and knowledge seem to be lacking. There seems to be little if any patriotism present in the far left and it's leaders. They will be held accountable maybe even before 2008 if they really screw things up. What a wonderful thing for our troops to hear from the democrats - the war is lost, while they are fighting to save their buddy's life and many others in Iraq.
Bob at 7:59PM on Apr 23rd 2007
38. When will you liberals stop trying to bash Bush and wake up to the terror that is going on. There is a video out there that shows a 12 year old boy beheading a journalist. When will they stop trying to lose the war and get Bush and realize that if we lose l(which is what they want) the terrorists will be over here and then what will they do. Get their heads out of the sand and support the troops and Bush. They may hate him but if we lose they will be very very sorry.
Betty Freeling at 8:03PM on Apr 23rd 2007
39. Denial is that America can leave without serious consquences on our lives, our families. Every parent want's a better life for their kids. Can anyone explain how leaving Iraq makes things better for America in the long term? Yes, less soldiers die. Yes, we lose. If not, how does America win?
Drbangs1 at 8:19PM on Apr 23rd 2007
40. Harry Reid and the other Dems need to stop trying to control the war and give the troops the resources they need to win. It is treasonous for them to undermine them while they are risking their lives, doing the job they sent them there for. How will soldiers respond the next time they are called on? How will we maintain a volunteer force? Change the objectives of the war if needed and restate the mission but quit preaching defeat and failing to support our troops.
Kelly at 8:33PM on Apr 23rd 2007
41. Hey Harry,
It's just a matter of time before you are caught with your hand in the cokkie jar. How's that bridge in Laughlin coming, y'know the one that lands on your family's property? The one you just recently bought. You are a gutless punk, and a disgrace to the fine people of Nevada.
Richard Lombardo
Richard Lombardo at 8:38PM on Apr 23rd 2007
42. IT IS GREAT TO HERE THE TRUTH FROM A POLITIAN FOR A CHANGE,ESPECIALLY WHEN AMERICAN LIVES ARE ON THE LINE 24/7.
charles wallace at 8:39PM on Apr 23rd 2007
43. EVERY DAMN ONE OF YOU DAMN REPUBLICANS SHOULD BE LINED UP AGAINST A WALL A ____. ALL OF YOU DAMN PEOPLE HAVE INNOCENT BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS OVER A DAMN BARREL OF OIL FOR DICK CHENNEY AND BUSH. THEY DON'T CARE HOW MANY SOLDIERS DIE JUST AS LONG AS IT ISN'T THEIR KIDS. YOU REPUBLICANS ARE AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE MOST STUPID PEOPLE ON EARTH. 'TRAITORS' YOU REPUBLICAN BASTARDS WOULD SELL YOUR OWN MOTHER FOR A DAMN DOLLAR. LOCK EVERY DAMN ONE OF YOU REPUKES UP FOR LIFE.
BRENT at 8:43PM on Apr 23rd 2007
44. Reid is a fool and should step down from his position ! He makes so many statements tht he can't remember one from the other ! He has aided the Terrorists and will continue to do so ! Together with Madam Nancy they are the biggest idiots in America today ! Her with the scarf, going to meet with a Terrorist nation and wearing their clothing ....SHAME !!! They both have to get real and stop their nonsense !
roseaquinl at 8:43PM on Apr 23rd 2007
45. Typical democrat. Throw a bomb, then run for cover, finally, deny that you threw it, or if caught on tape, say it wasn't a bomb, it was shoe.
Jim Silberman at 8:45PM on Apr 23rd 2007