April 4, 2007
Reid And Pelosi Have Bush Flanked (Brent Budowsky)
America, Iraq and the Middle East may have entered a profound and historical turning point.
At this moment, the Reid-Pelosi flanking maneuver is brilliant and powerful. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) moves aggressively to turn around the military escalation, while House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) moves aggressively to support Middle East peace initiatives.
Lets begin with one key point. When George Bush said yesterday that he decided to surge the troops and escalate in Iraq at the request of American commanders, he was telling a bald-faced lie.
No more niceties. This is so fundamental and important, with so many American lives at stake, that we should be crystal-clear about the truth.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff overwhelmingly advised against the surge while Bush was making the decision. The commanders in Iraq similarly, overwhelmingly, advised against the surge when Bush was making the decision. This is a matter of indisputable public record and any assertion to the contrary is a proven lie.
Period.
After Bush disrespected and overruled the overwhelming advice of the Chiefs and of the Iraq commanders, and did the surge they pleaded with him not to do, he found a new commander. He also, by the way, ignored and disrespected the advice of Republican leaders such as Sen. John Warner (Va.) and countless Senate GOPers.
When the president claims, falsely, that he decided to surge based on the requests of commanders, who in truth pleaded against the surge, there is a delusional and dishonest quality to this, which is extremely dangerous and symptomatic of what has gone wrong.
It is sad to see Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), with his famous walk in Baghdad, look equally delusional and disingenuous.
The state of play today is that Harry Reid moves boldly against the military escalation while Nancy Pelosi moves boldly in favor of the diplomatic option. In essence Bush is flanked, which explains much of his recent anger.
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans are home hearing the riot act from voters. When close to 70 percent of Americans want major change in the policy, when Bush attacks Democrats in demeaning terms, he is also attacking a large majority of the American people, who agree with the Democrats.
Regarding Syria, I have long argued that a diplomatic move is the potential game-changer. A deal with Syria offers potential benefits to Israel, to America in Iraq, to Lebanon and to broader Middle East progress while also isolating Iran and creating pressure on that country to make concessions.
Jim Baker has been very visible and aggressive arguing in favor of a mega-diplomatic move with Syria. It is no gimme; it would take hard and tough negotiations, with no downside for trying and huge upside for success.
Regarding the Pelosi trip, I've done a number of these congressional trips working for the Democratic leadership, in my case during a Republican presidency, in my case: Reagan's.
I would predict that when all is said and done, it will be seen that the Pelosi trip supported American goals, and Israeli goals, and is most likely in line with the private thinking of the secretaries of State and Defense. (Though this is speculaton based on experience.)
As both Sen. Reid and Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), among others, have said: The president is not a king. America tried that before, and we didn't like it. Congress is a co-equal branch of government; the Senate has a major constitutional role in foreign affairs; and the Speaker of the House is challenging the Syrians to do what the Bush administration, Israel and the entire free world has called on them to do.
I predict that before the rooster crows 60 times, our president and secretary of state will be sounding and acting like the Speaker today.
The Reid-Pelosi pincer maneuver has begun.
The future will soon be now, and it will be where the majority leader and the Speaker are standing today.
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It's about damned time that rationality and common sense take center stage. I can't help but think that had we embarked on diplomacy from the git-go of this administration most of the catastophic events that have happened needn't have happened.
Comment by Helen Rainier — April 4, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
The statements being made here are such a wonderful example of the lengths to which liberals are willing to go to maintain the delusion that they have a monopoly on all that is right and that Bush is somehow responsible for all that is wrong in the world. It is almost impossible to read such nonsense without suspecting that the people know full well how extremely ludicrous their statements are even as they are making them. Yet, they continue to make them!!!
Pelosi going to Syria is in the very least a declaration of contempt for every American that has lost his or her life defending the United States and indeed the entire world from the growing terrorist threat that has received so much support from countries like Syria and Iran.
This whole discussion is part and parcel to the liberal desire to see Bush fail in his attempts to make a lasting difference in the world, even if such a failure irreparably damages the United States of America!!!
Comment by Martin Sims — April 4, 2007 @ 2:50 pm
It's about time that forward thinking American leaders begin to take a stand and let the world know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I believe one of the greatest challenges facing this country will be the restoration of our reputation abroad. Hopefully this is one of many such steps.
Comment by David Holtek — April 4, 2007 @ 3:03 pm
Went to school with guys like Bush.Only difference then was that we called them jocks.These guys only knew one way to settle things and that was violently.When they {the jocks}were called on there stupidity they would act just like Bush,whine,point fingers,name calling and such.Pelosi and Reid have this man against the ropes and plan on keeping him there until the K.O. and its about frigging time.
Comment by MATTHEW — April 4, 2007 @ 3:04 pm
Some statements being made here are such a wonderful example of the lengths to which Radical Conservatives are willing to go to maintain the delusion that they have a monopoly on all that is right and that Liberals are somehow responsible for all that is wrong in the world. It is almost impossible to read such nonsense without suspecting that the people know full well how extremely ludicrous their statements are even as they are making them. Yet, they continue to make them!!!
Comment by Michael Steele — April 4, 2007 @ 3:55 pm
George W Bush has done so much damage to Americas reputation, I am not sure Nancy Pelosi can reverse this, but at least she is trying. It is going to take many years before the world forgives America and even longer with warmongering Americans like Martin Sims screaming death to everybody who does not agree with Bush.
Comment by David — April 4, 2007 @ 4:17 pm
"This whole discussion is part and parcel to the liberal desire to see Bush fail in his attempts to make a lasting difference in the world, even if such a failure irreparably damages the United States of America!!!"
Marty, Marty, Marty … this has nothing to do with "liberal desires". It's already a done deal. bu$hie boy has failed us on so many levels it is breathtaking to behold. In just 6 years he has done more to hurt America than any enemy we have ever faced.
He has destroyed our military readiness and morale; destroyed our international credibility; destroyed our middle class; emptied our national treasury into the pockets of his well-connected friends; undermined electoral democracy both at home and abroad; undermined the concept of unbiased justice both at home and abroad; undermined the concept of freedom from unwarranted government intrusion into our private lives; and perhaps worst of all, he has eagerly embraced the morally despicable low ground by advocating torture and kidnapping.
So wake up Marty, pull your head out of that dark place its been residing, and recognize that your commander-in-chimp is a loser and has been a loser all his life. He has failed at everything he ever attempted and his presidency may well be the most colossal failure the world has witnessed to date.
Comment by kb_man — April 4, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
I do not understand why anyone would be reluctant to "talk" rather than "fight". What is lost by good old fashioned discussion of a problem? It would seem to me that this would be the method chosen rather than letting things get to the point of "no return" and we have to sacrifice lives and treasure to do what diplomacy should have done in the first place.
Comment by Val Zudell — April 4, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
He said he was listening to his Generals. He was, General Electric, General Dynamics, General Motors and general incompetence!
Comment by Marcus Hoover, Jr. — April 4, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
Matthew- Bush was not a "jock". If you remember he was a cheerleader at Yale. Standing on the sidelines and letting others do the dirty work. Nothing has changed, Chickenhawk then, Chickenhawk today.
Comment by Bill B. — April 4, 2007 @ 5:53 pm
Bush has become irrelevant. His painful lack of leadership was epitomized the day he flew away and hid, 9-11-01. He may not act unilaterally any more than the Congress or the judiciary can act unilaterally. The votes to override the veto are there, despite the pledge letter from House Republicans. Folks on the Hill know the value of such documents. To refute Sims: the assertion that Pelosi's Syria visit dishonors troops lacks credibility save among the least aware. The bipartisan Iraq Study Group scribed this policy. Failing to provide armor and putting troops in harm's way solely to satisfy hegemonic fantasies is the basis for prosecution.
Comment by frmrDCresident — April 4, 2007 @ 6:15 pm
Hey Martin, could you please explain to me how Pelosi going to Syria, "is in the very least a declaration of contempt for every American that has lost his or her life defending the United States and indeed the entire world from the growing terrorist threat"? Did you not know that there was a Republican delegation there as well just days ago? Do you really think that there can be a peace of any kind if all anyone ever does is kill each other? At some point, if there is to be peace, people have to TALK TO EACH OTHER.
And what exactly is ludicrous in the above blog post? The author cites documentary evidence that directly contradicts Bush's stated rationale for his surge. Proof. That Bush lied. Again.
What's it going to take to get through to you?
Comment by Michael Fitzpatrick — April 4, 2007 @ 6:16 pm
Martin there's is nothing more ludicrous then listening to your brainwashed BS. Tune your radio and TV to something else besides Liebald and Faux wouldcha?
Man are you hopeless.
You're in serious need of psychological help.
Comment by Ron — April 4, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Martin, the only reason we liberals might want Bush to fail is that his main mission in life seems to be destroying America. And you bet your house I want him to fail at that. The only good job he's done in six years is making this country into a shell of its former self, destroying its credibility, and turning it into a common country that is no better in its actions than the terrorists it claims to fight.
Comment by Ed — April 4, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
It both makes me laugh and fills me with incredulity when I read some comment like that of "Martin Sims." It's apparent that he's been drinking the koolaid proffered by the Republican talking heads and is utterly incapable of rational thought.
While it is an impossible task to change the mind of someone this delusional (See Bush, Cheney, et al) what he's obviously missing (Besides a sorely needed brain.) is that Bush & Co. have NO interest in peace nor America. This administration continues stubbornly forward on their path for only one reason: GREED. The ONLY reasons "we" invaded Iraq - OIL & MONEY - have been obfuscated by an ever-changing litany of "reasons" (Read: excuses.) by these liars. Why do you think they stubbornly cling to their indefensible and clearly wrong conclusions in the face of overwhelming evidence? While America is in Iraq companies like Halliburton, Blackwater, Kellogg Brown & Root continue to suck up BILLIONS dollars of American tax money that could be used for domestic programs. As for Nancy Pelosi and the new Congress, who are finally doing their constitutional duty and representing the people who elected them, i say BRAVO. It's about time.
Now that someone is finally showing W that he is not a monarch he shows what a sociopath he is by whining about them "undermining" our country. The only thing the congress is undermining is his hubristic ego and his refusal to engage anyone who disagrees with him in HONEST discourse. This president will go down in history as not only the worst president EVER, but also the most destructive to America and our place in the world.
Comment by Scott — April 4, 2007 @ 7:21 pm
Hooray for Nancy!
A charming move by the lady but it is only one of a thousand cuts the Dems seem to be making. We can't wait until the next election for the Bush Kleptocracy to bleed to to death. We already have a thousand reasons to IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY; it is UNCONSTITUTIONAL not to do it NOW!
Comment by Evan Cundiff — April 4, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
Guys like Martin make me sick.. They ignore the facts and just call people names. Liberal Nonsense Martin? How about the nonsense of a idiot that thinks invading Iraq is going to make a model democracy that will be pro US and put and end to 14 centuries of fighting? How about the nonsense that there were WMDs in Iraq? How about the nonsense that Bush has a brain and is halfway truthful?
Comment by Charlie — April 4, 2007 @ 9:00 pm
When he needs to be flunked.
Comment by Vic Anderson — April 4, 2007 @ 9:52 pm
There's nothing that upsets a a white "Texan" President more than being upstaged on the global stage of diplomacy by a liberal woman. On the other hand, any kindegartener could upstage the educationally challenged Bush.
Comment by Chris in NM — April 4, 2007 @ 10:21 pm
These guys aren't jocks. They are just bullies that think they know everything, while their co-delusional yes men and women prop them up. This is such a sickening state of affairs, I am ashamed of the few ignorant, or mislead, citizens who continue to support this evil administration.
Comment by Cindy — April 4, 2007 @ 10:27 pm
Bush's stubborn refusal to listen to his military commanders is foolish and wasteful of our precious troops. Iraq must have a diplomatic/political solution or it will remain a powderkeg. The military has done all that has been asked of it, even when the planning and preparation have been very shoddy. Time for the diplomats to finally get in the mix.
Comment by Ellen — April 5, 2007 @ 12:16 am
i have never understood people who refuse to allow other venues of diplomacy and international relations to co-exist with their narrow views that cater to chest huffing and saber rattling.
yes we need a defensive, but to abandon non-violent diplomacy is just palin ludicris.
it is nice to see someone is finally trying to make a difference by exploring other avenues than pre-emptive war and profiteering.
Comment by David Levine — April 5, 2007 @ 6:15 am
I think the USA is ready for a coup d'etat with the removal of the perpetrators to war and consequent despatched to the International Court of Justice in The Hague. No wonder they don't prescribe to that authority: something to be feared.
Comment by R. Garbode — April 5, 2007 @ 6:39 am
How can the republicans be crystal clear about the truth? The truth will destroy them. Look at Orrin Hatch on Meet the Press Sunday–Everything he said about Carol Lam was a lie, even tied her in with Clinton (she was a Bush appointee). It's amazing to watch Republicans eat their own when their lies, mis-truths and red herrings no longer work.
Comment by kady — April 5, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Pelosi has not helped the mid-east peace process one iota.She does not speak from a position of authority or knownledge.
Basically she and her co-hearts are a delusive simple minded busy-bodies.
Comment by fcsanders — April 5, 2007 @ 8:49 am
Let the games begin. Pelosi and Reid are preparing for something special in the upcoming months. The sweep around end of the administration is indication of a sweep up of the administration. My prediciton is the impeachment hearings will begin early next year unless the the Bush administration pulls a quick one with an attack on Iran.
Comment by makeseneofit — April 5, 2007 @ 10:47 am
I am amazed it's so much ignorance after six years of corruption at it's max., in this administration. How could any SANE person still believe in Bush and his group. But; I guess it's difficult to admit when you've been this WRONG. And reading these comments, it seems as though Sims, and Sanders, really screwed up to the max. It reminds me of a song some years back titled:
"Lord it's hard to be humble, when you are perfect in every way".
Suck it up fellas/girls, whatever, you made a big BooBoo. Maybe next time you will get it right. You are the ones, DELUSIONAL. SNAP OUT OF IT.
Comment by lhawkins — April 5, 2007 @ 11:18 am
Impeachment is not enough for the crimes committed after being SELLECTED for these greedy bastards.Should be tried in the Hague for murder.
Comment by hobojo — April 5, 2007 @ 12:24 pm
The person, or persons that feel the Iraq war is honorable, and the noble thing to do, please go to your nearest recruiting office, and join. Mr Bush's army need people like you. HURRY
Comment by lhawkins — April 5, 2007 @ 12:33 pm
fcsanders is obviously a terrorist disinformation specialist. It is not possible that English is his or her first language.
To wit:
"Pelosi has not helped the mid-east peace process one iota.She does not speak from a position of authority or knownledge.
Basically she and her co-hearts are a delusive simple minded busy-bodies.
Comment by fcsanders — April 5, 2007″
Delusive! That is some un-simple minded stuff there. Fantastic. This is who Bush still has behind him. People like this. People of no known ledge.
Comment by Gong — April 5, 2007 @ 5:06 pm
Could we please IMPEACH Bush and Cheney.I am so sick of all this, we need to show them that they are not our King and his Joker. You know that is what he wants, and God help us if that comes to pass. So IMPEACH NOW.
Comment by Donna — April 5, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
Matthew@4
Bush was not a jock. He was a jock sniffer and a CHEERLEADER. The only picture of him I saw was on a soccer field taking an illegal cheap shot. This man has a messianic quality that makes it possible for him to believe his own lies and his own made up facts. Look at Cheney yesterday on Limbaugh still claiming a connection between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein when documents from Iraq refute his claim. There are 30% of the public that still believe their BS. They are preaching to the choir. The Iraq war, Walter Reed, The Justice Department, FBI, NSA, GSA, Abramoff, Interior Dep't., outing a CIA agent either of which is an impeachable offense and our Congress is twiddling its fingers. Funding has to stop for the war and Impeachment must begin. This rightwing theocracy must end and end NOW!
Comment by nellieh — April 6, 2007 @ 10:10 am
Can't you feel the love George? You know Bush has got to realize that we know the war was a lie. He is reaping what he sowed. It is charitable to treat all men with respect, and I try, but George Bush and Dick Cheney, and Chevron Director Condi Rice have lost my respect. They have lied to the american people in order to line the wallets of their friends with oil reserves and profits. They have tried to control the world's oil supplies. It will come back to bite all of us. I just don't know when or how hard. But we, as a people will pay for Bush's folly.
Comment by Gary Anderson — April 7, 2007 @ 2:06 pm