This is why I call the Baker boys psuedorealists and why the media doesn’t quite get it….

This article is the most positive development since they killed Zarqawi, and could have even more long-lasting positive effects. That Reyes is saying this, and that he made it clear to Pelosi that this was his position before she appointed him is an incredibly significant sign that the Dems might actually realize that Iraq is not just a political club with which to beat Bush on the head, but a real foreign policy concern for the United States in failure is not an option. I’ve had this fantasy ever since the election that Bush, Reid and Pelosi would hold a press conference and declare that while they will continue to have many domestic policy differences, they are all Americans first and that we will finish the job in Iraq. A public display of national unity on the mission there would go a long way towards convincing the various forces causing the bloodshed in Iraq (other than possibly al-Qaeda) that they are not going to wait us out, and that they should fight their battles in the political context rather than in the streets.

Dudley Smith on December 6, 2006 at 1:10 PM

Well put.

Your fantasy is quite appealing, but I for one am not holding my breath. I’d be very pleased if such a thing did happen, though.

This article is the most positive development since they killed Zarqawi, and could have even more long-lasting positive effects. That Reyes is saying this, and that he made it clear to Pelosi that this was his position before she appointed him is an incredibly significant sign that the Dems might actually realize that Iraq is not just a political club with which to beat Bush on the head, but a real foreign policy concern for the United States in failure is not an option. I’ve had this fantasy ever since the election that Bush, Reid and Pelosi would hold a press conference and declare that while they will continue to have many domestic policy differences, they are all Americans first and that we will finish the job in Iraq. A public display of national unity on the mission there would go a long way towards convincing the various forces causing the bloodshed in Iraq (other than possibly al-Qaeda) that they are not going to wait us out, and that they should fight their battles in the political context rather than in the streets.

“I would say 20,000 to 30,000—for the specific purpose of making sure those militias are dismantled, working in concert with the Iraqi military…

That’s nice and all, but CENTCOM has said that we don’t have 20 or 30k more troops to send. So… he’s gonna team up with Rangel to get the draft going too?

A short recon of what’s out there that might draw your attention….

If you have been listening to Rumsfeld, 40% of our military have not been to Iraq. Well, a draft might supplement it.
Ouabam on December 5, 2006 at 10:57 PM

Well, I have been listening very closely to Rumsfield from the day he started and he and the military DO NOT NEED OR DESIRE a draft. On the record, off the record, everywhere.
Readers who need more background should try The New Face of War by Bruce Berkowitz. The high tech military requires fewer, but highly trained, highly motivated and longer serving soldiers. A volunteer army serves that need perfectly. Right now, the military academies are getting 10 applications for every 1 slot, reenlistments are high,and the military is meeting new recruitment goals right now, without a draft.
So, why do the Democrats want to wreck all that with a draft? They want a draft over the objections of the military, so clearly, they don’t care what the military needs. They want to draft women, too, which the military doesn’t want, either. A draft would make the military overlarded with malcontents, incompetants and slackers, drive up the costs of defending our nation, both monetarily and in human lives. What’s going to be the result when Suzy, whose high school letter was in cheerleading is tossed out to face Jihadi Ali ?
So, why do the Democrats so desperately want a draft? They know very well that the majority of soldiers are coming from the solid middle to upper middle class, so where’s the disparity? This “more troops in Iraq are needed to win” statement is phony coming from them.

Here’s the ISG homepage. Rick Moran writes in advance of the report’s release today: You will excuse me if I believe that talking to Syria while it is in the process of gobbling up its tiny Lebanese neighbor to be……

Well, the ISG’s report is out (officially to Bush, and leaked to the AP):

That includes the blunt conclusion that “the situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating,” and could trigger “the collapse of Iraq’s government and a humanitarian……

I think you will find that Texans of Hispanic roots are patriotic.

beens21 on December 5, 2006 at 8:30 PM

He is a Tejano, what else did you expect?

Oilpatcher on December 5, 2006 at 9:07 PM

How True

Maybe we need to forget about delusions of textbook ‘principled Republicans’ leading us to victory. We need backstabbing shank-carrying Democrats, willing to lie their way into power and then double-cross their base. Finally somebody willing to go Putin on Iraq. The party of Jackson, Polk, FDR, and LBJ ought to know a thing or two about playing dirtier than our enemies.

a4g on December 5, 2006 at 8:28 PM

They’re probably shipping bicarb by the ton to the folks at kos and huffpo and the democr@p leadership.
The “blue dogs” are trying to save their party!

This is just like championship wrestling when it was fun. There were no good guys, it was just a free for all. We sat on the sidelines and threw rotten eggs at those who pissed us off. It is the 1980’s all over again and the dems are going for an infighting “Battle Royal”. Where’s the popcorn, it’s gonna be an all-nighter.

New Democrats? Stupid Democrats.

They must be reading Broder. There really is no other explanation for such incredible stupidity. They’ve decided to hitch their wagon to Mr. 30 Percent Approval? Really? See guys, that’s not demonstrating your independence and capacity for “bipartisanship.” That’s just plain old treachery, and idiotic treachery to boot. Steny needs to learn how to work that whip.

Heh. They haven’t even gotten the car out of the garage, and the wheels are already falling off.

Maybe we need to forget about delusions of textbook ‘principled Republicans’ leading us to victory. We need backstabbing shank-carrying Democrats, willing to lie their way into power and then double-cross their base. Finally somebody willing to go Putin on Iraq. The party of Jackson, Polk, FDR, and LBJ ought to know a thing or two about playing dirtier than our enemies.

a4g on December 5, 2006 at 8:28 PM

Yep, now the democRATS lied their flaming asses off to get into power, they will do what Rumsfeld did.. and if they fail, they wil say 2 years wasn’t enough time..

best thing that can happen now is all out WWIII. That’s the only thing our country seems to understand is the pure hell that’s coming..

If you’re gonna send more troops, at least let them do their job…kill people and break things!

Indeed. I don’t recall my basic training experience consisting of anything other than learning how to put a hurtin’ on an enemy.

Rumor has it he ate himself into a coma….

Pam on December 5, 2006 at 8:22 PM

And then he woke up and heard about this.

Cleaning up a mess the second time you try it is always harder than just getting it done once.

Because the “mess” has learned from that mistake.

But, if Reyes is serious, let’s put the “Phony War” to rest and get the real war going. And instill the fear of God into the invading jihadists and the homicidal militias of Iraq.

As Patton said:

“May God have mercy on them, because I sure as hell won’t.“

Imagine the pressure she will be receiving from the nutroots tomorrow. Shoot, probably already started.