Stay the Course in Iraq until November 8th?
| After this weekends talk shows (especially "This Week") I am more inclined to believe that, after the election, the Bush Administration will (either by choice or by force) change course in Iraq. The bi-partisan Baker Commission which was established to take a critical look at Iraq policy is reportedly mulling recommending partitioning Iraq into Kurdish, Shiite, and Sunni sectors ala Senator Joe Biden's plan. There are many arguments for and against this plan. (The Kurds will probably leave Iraq regardless of US policy.) Baker himself seemed to be very skeptical of partition while discussing it on "This Week". He also said that his Commission has spoken with representatives from Iran and Syria about the future of Iraq. "I believe in talking to your enemies. I don't believe you restrict your conversations to your friends...In my view its not appeasement to talk to your enemies...I made 15 trips to Damascus [Syria] back in 1991 when they were on our list of countries who state-sponsor terrorism."Note that George Allen pounds on Jim Webb for saying we should talk to Iran and Syria about Iraq. George Will suggests that the Baker Commission will ask the question: "What are 140,000 American forces in Iraq doing that 40,000 couldn't be doing?" Joe Biden says that 2 Republican Senators have told him they will come out against the current Administration policy after the election. A change in strategy would be welcome (although Fareed Zakaria says that Iraq may be past the point of no return). However, it is important to note that the only sure way to put real pressure on the Administration to force a change in it's Iraq policy is to vote out the rubberstamp Republicans in Congress who have done nothing to oppose the Administration's failed policies (i.e. George Allen). 2743 killed, 20468 wounded Had enough?  James Webb, VA-Sen, Virginia, Virginia Politics, Politics, Jim Webb, News, 2006, Senate, George Allen, 2006 Races, Democrats, Republicans, Campaigns, Congress, Campaigns-Elections, macaca |
posted by Tokatakiya at 12:06 PM
Comments on "Stay the Course in Iraq until November 8th?"
-
Catzmaw said ... (5:03 PM) :
-
Tokatakiya said ... (11:19 PM) :
post a commentWhat typical cynicism from these Republican senators to let the months go by, and the casualties increase, as they wait until the election to change course. They're waiting for the last grasp at power by a lame duck presidency and then they're going to step forward on principle. Whupteedoo.
Yeah, everyone who didn't virulently impose oversight should resign.
But they won't so a change in heart is the best we can hope for.
Other than a change in control of the Congress.