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 7 of 16)
91. A sucker born every minute? I guess that would have to include Pelosi, Kerry, Both Clintons, Edwards, everyone that voted for "Bush`s war" I guess these intellectuals were all duped by stupud GW`s "Lie"
Tony Linder at 1:21AM on Apr 24th 2007
92. TONY LINDER -
Over 50^% of the Iraqis think it is OK to kill American troops.
Poll: Iraqis gripped by fear and anger
Posted 3/19/2007 2:35 PM ET
By Will Lester, Associated Press Writer
_Slightly more than half of Iraqis -- 51 percent -- now say that violence against U.S. forces is acceptable -- up from 17 percent who felt that way in early 2004. More than nine in 10 Sunni Arabs in Iraq now feel this way.
_While 63 percent said they felt very safe in their neighborhoods in late 2005, only 26 percent feel that way now.
USA Today Has a Flash interactive that shows on all ten living condition questions, more Iraqis say they are "bad" than in 2005. 78% of Iraqis don't approve of the presence of Coalition forces.
Steve J. at 1:26AM on Apr 24th 2007
93. Is it necessary to SAY Saddam Hussein was responsible for 9-11 for a person to be considered a patriot? Do I have to lie to be considered a patriot? In this poll: http://www.zogby.com/News/ReadNews.dbm?ID=1169
65% of Republicans claim that Saddam was. Now, I don't mind that the 30% of this country that approves of Bush's War call me a traitor. But why do they all insist that Iraqi Freedom is revenge for 9-11? Our president has already said that IRAQ HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH 9-11 on FOX. So you guys should have seen it. http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/21/bush-on-911/
MWR,
lil_turk at 1:27AM on Apr 24th 2007
94. SIMPLE VOTE FACTS
Some BushBots claim that "nearly all" Democrats supported the AUMF for Iraq. This is another wingnut LIE.
Here's the House vote:
FINAL VOTE RESULTS FOR ROLL CALL 455
(Republicans in roman; Democrats in italic; Independents underlined)
H J RES 114 YEA-AND-NAY 10-Oct-2002 3:05 PM
QUESTION: On Passage
BILL TITLE: To Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq
Republican Yeas 215 Nays 6 NV 2
Democratic Yeas 81 Nays 126 NV 1
Independent Nays 1
TOTALS 296 133 3
The Senate vote:
Question: On the Joint Resolution (H.J.Res. 114 )
Vote Number: 237 Vote Date: October 11, 2002, 12:50 AM
Required For Majority: 1/2 Vote Result: Joint Resolution Passed
Vote Counts: YEAs 77 NAYs 23
NAYs ---23
Akaka (D-HI)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Byrd (D-WV)
Chafee (R-RI)
Conrad (D-ND)
Corzine (D-NJ)
Dayton (D-MN)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Graham (D-FL)
Inouye (D-HI)
Jeffords (I-VT)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Reed (D-RI)
Sarbanes (D-MD)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Wellstone (D-MN)
Wyden (D-OR)
Steve J. at 1:29AM on Apr 24th 2007
95. As a Marine Corp Vietnam combat Veteran, I can tell you it was no fun returning home to a country that hated us and our mission..What is taking place now is twice as bad to our troops then what happened to us Vietnam Veterans. These idiots that say they support the troops but not the war, are just repeating political rhetoric that the left seems to think is the right thing to say, with out realizing the consequences.
Our country is going to hell very quicky. And it is traders like Harry Reid and the rest of the left wing goof-balls dragging this country down. I hope we never have another 911, but if we do, You can thank the RIEDS of this country for causing it.
For those of you who think we cannot win this war, your blind and foolish.. Our Military is light years ahead of any country. And if left to finish the job, they would win , hands down. The Vietnam war would of been over and won in less then 2 years if they would of let us. And just like 32 yrs ago, the left is pulling out. Only this time the enemy will follow us home.
Those of you who want to quit are weak. So just get out of our way and let the strong continue to fight and win this war so you can be allowed to have your freedom and post your sick comments on here and other places. Remember, its the strong not the weak that made this country. The weak will never bring down the strong, but always try and fails.. And thats whats going on now in our great country.. The Terrorist have made you weak. They have broken your soul and thought process. They will not go away now that the weak in the USA has shown they are willing to pull out, they will only get stronger with more resolve to destroy us, because they have seen and heard the weak. One day those of you that have posted your nonsense on here will (maybe) thank those of us who remained strong for your freedom.. But I doubt it..You'll leave us with another war to fight and start your BS all over again.. Only this time it will be on our soil and it just might be to late to save you.
Lou at 2:18AM on Apr 24th 2007
96. It is blantely obvious that we nee to stay in Iraq. If you look at an Atlas, It is imperitive that Iraq remains a sovereign nation. Iraq is situated between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Clue in. I never see news on Saudi Arabia stance or help on this war against terrorism. It's just like the board game Risk we played as children. The politicians need to clue in. As for Reid comparing Bush to LBJ...Don't think so. Have you ever really listen to LBJ's speeches and taped phone coversations. I live in Amarillo and LBJ took away the Air Force Base because Randell and Potter County did not vote for him. And I also know for a fact at one high school here draft number were called out on the intercom system every hour. Was that LBJ's influence? I don't know. This is not Vietnam. It's a world wide problem. I personally admire the Bush Family like them or not they stick to their morals and princables. People think of the Bush family as wealthy politicians. But they fought in the American Revolution. I think trashing Bush is an insult to our military who are there to fight to win. And when our military returns is Reid willing to provide for their and their families needs. By us leaving Iraq will it stop the killing? No The Sunni's and Shite's will slaughter themselves. Is that what our world has come too? WWII like genocide? I hope not.
justapuppydog at 2:39AM on Apr 24th 2007
97. It is quite evident that the Democrats worst nightmare is that we "win" the war. From the outset of the war they have undermined the effort as soon as it became political to do so. As soon as the surge strategy was announced, the top dems worked overtime to see to it that the surge would fail. Many on the surface would suggest that it is unfair to question the integrity and patriotism of the Dems.
It is up to the Dems themself to address the question of their patriotism, the rest of us need only question their judgment. If anyone doubts the effect of statements such as Reid's "lost the War", just ask whether that statement puts us closer to victory or defeat-- I rest my case.
Joe Mahoney at 2:32AM on Apr 24th 2007
98. Face it, the war was lost the moment we lied about the reason to invade Iraq.
Marvin Bote at 2:48AM on Apr 24th 2007
99. LOU writes: So just get out of our way and let the strong continue to fight and win this war
------------------------------------------------
Victory Is Not an Option
The Mission Can't Be Accomplished -- It's Time for a New Strategy
By William E. Odom
Sunday, February 11, 2007; B01
The first and most critical step is to recognize that fighting on now simply prolongs our losses and blocks the way to a new strategy. Getting out of Iraq is the pre-condition for creating new strategic options. Withdrawal will take away the conditions that allow our enemies in the region to enjoy our pain.
William E. Odom, a retired Army lieutenant general, washead of Army intelligence and director of the National Security Agency under Ronald Reagan. He served on the National Security Council staff under Jimmy Carter. A West Point graduate with a PhD from Columbia, Odom teaches at Yale and is a fellow of the Hudson Institute.
Steve J. at 3:11AM on Apr 24th 2007
100. if reid truly believes the war is lost why doesn't he cut off the funding. isn't he compelled to do this or is he just another hipocrite. as i look at history, i doubt if any of his past relatives were at valley forge, the alamo, corrigador,or normandy.i hope that all americans that support the likes of the reids, the murthas, and the pelosis, take a good look at our children. the national debt will be the least of their fears in the future.
don smith at 3:56AM on Apr 24th 2007
101. king George
ikeman at 5:01AM on Apr 24th 2007
102. Lou,
If our President sent troops to invade England, would you call for him not to? If you did, some bigger Bush proponent than you would say, "If you don't support this war, then you don't support the troops!" And by your logic you would then be a leftist surrender-monkey. Welcome to the club.
The reason "leftists" call for this war to end is because we get what you guys have missed: THERE WAS NO CONNECTION BETWEEN SADDAM HUSSEIN AND 9-11. Our President said it unequivocally, yet his supporters continue to pretend?/believe? that "Iraqi Freedom" was to avenge 9-11. Why do you guys continue with this nonsense and the equal nonsense that WMD's have been found? You don't even have to study this stuff to be right, just listen to your President: http://thinkprogress.org/2006/08/21/bush-on-911/
Cheers,
lil_turk at 4:47AM on Apr 24th 2007
103. Joe Mahoney,
Why do you put "win" in quotes?
lil_turk at 4:49AM on Apr 24th 2007
104. Harry Reid:
The war is Lost!
Answer: If we quit. Harry gets his wish.
Americans are dying in Iraq:
Answer: It’s a war. People Die.
Every life is precious.
Headlines: 9 US Soldiers killed in car bomb in Iraq!
In Context, 168 people in America die of Pneumonia every day.
1962-1969 Kennedy war began In Vietnam. 60,000 American deaths and an estimated 2 million Vietnamese deaths. ... 7 year war.
War Lost due to Politicians.
Bushs war: 3/19/2003. 3333 America death of which 2726 in combat. Since 2003. 4 year war…..
War Lost due to Politicians? Could be a repeat, thanks to Democrat talking points.
ikeman at 4:50AM on Apr 24th 2007
105. Harry Reid should Resign!
Harry Reid Resign! Now!
ikeman at 5:07AM on Apr 24th 2007