Quote of the day
posted at 10:00 pm on July 27, 2008 by Allahpundit
“We occasionally have commanders who have so many good weeks, (they think) it’s won. We’ve got this thing. Well we don’t. We’ve had so many good weeks. Right now, for example we’ve had two-and-a-half months of levels of violence not since March 2004,” he said from his office at Camp Victory.
“Well that’s encouraging. It’s heartening. It’s very welcome. But let’s keep our powder dry… Let’s not let our guard down.”
Blowback
Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.
Trackbacks/Pings
Trackback URL
Comments
Good words, I personally expect a bit of an eruption late October.
conservnut on July 27, 2008 at 10:03 PM
I like a guy who keeps his eye on the ball and isn’t watching the scoreboard.
Metaphor alert!
lorien1973 on July 27, 2008 at 10:03 PM
Keith Olbermann will denounce the general for these remarks and accuse him of saying this in order to give support to McCain.
Field Marshal Rachel Maddow joined with Commandant Richard Wolfe, appearing on Olbermann’s pretend news show, will agree.
Interestingly, no other guests will disagree.
Because none will be invited.
And I jest only slightly.
SteveMG on July 27, 2008 at 10:06 PM
The thing is, if that happens, it helps McCain, not Obama.
ParisParamus on July 27, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Petraeus’ exposure to rampant animosity is proof that the American liberal absolutely hates masculinity.
Thank God it also proves that masculinity trumps mamby-pamby politicos.
emailnuevo on July 27, 2008 at 10:11 PM
You are probably right, but of course the press will try to turn it into another Tet. Look for Olberdouce to announce that the war is now un-winnable……again
conservnut on July 27, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Olberdouce = Olberdouche
conservnut on July 27, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Now is the time to keep the pressure on. Don’t slack off now. Don’t ever give them a chance to regroup, resupply.
Infiltrate, locate, incarcerate.
rockhauler on July 27, 2008 at 10:16 PM
don’t forget incinerate
conservnut on July 27, 2008 at 10:18 PM
I had it : exterminate : and decided that was too harsh. I was being polite.
rockhauler on July 27, 2008 at 10:19 PM
Petraeus is known as the warrior-scholar for good reason.
JustTruth101 on July 27, 2008 at 10:22 PM
and I didn’t want to sound like a Dalek. I was trying to be serious. Seriously.
Identify, locate, negotiate?
:exterminate:exterminate:exterminate:
rockhauler on July 27, 2008 at 10:26 PM
Interesting comments over there…. Guess they just want to ignore the conditions on the ground, kinda like obambi
Canadian Imperialist Running Dog on July 27, 2008 at 10:27 PM
I have the perfect vid to prove that “Libs” can’t stand for a man to be a man.
Or why “Libs” need to prove their “feminine side”
1GooDDaDDy on July 27, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Excellent. Discretion is the better part of valor.
Spirit of 1776 on July 27, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I like this General, he wont let this unqualified lull be viewed other than a fortunate shift in events. He does not pretend to predict what Muslims may do six months from now. He knows the margin for trust.
Islam will do what it can to have Obama win if they were smart*. So it should be quiet between here and election day.
*not always the case
BL@KBIRD on July 27, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Try to look unimportant, they may be low on ammo.
MB4 on July 27, 2008 at 10:43 PM
Petraeus has always been wary of declaring things are going great. McCain twisted his words in front of reporters after the surge.
aengus on July 27, 2008 at 10:44 PM
The enemy never watches until you make a mistake.
MB4 on July 27, 2008 at 10:45 PM
Check out all the love for Petraeus in the comments there…
JimRich on July 27, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Gen. David Petraeus, could end up being another General Dwight Eisenhower. Personally, I like what I see in him.
byteshredder on July 27, 2008 at 10:58 PM
It’s always a pain to deal with politicians flying kites or pulling straws to determine diplomatic policy decisions.
Thank goodness for level headed men and women who know better than to count their chickens before they hatch. God bless, keep and protect our troops and our Generals.
maverick muse on July 27, 2008 at 11:05 PM
This is why he’s winning. Here’s hoping people listen to him.
spmat on July 27, 2008 at 11:31 PM
I’m going to retract my thought on Islam being quiet. 60 dead and 300 wounded between Turkey and India today in bombings by the disenfranchised hijackers of an ideology.
Perhaps only America will be relatively safe till November.
BL@KBIRD on July 27, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I like “realists” a whole better than “optimists” or “pessimists”. Know what I’m saying?
cjs1943 on July 27, 2008 at 11:56 PM
McCain/Petraeus
SouthernGent on July 28, 2008 at 12:17 AM
Part of a winning strategy has to be adapting to the other guy’s reactions to your actions. The trouble is, the enemy being crazy violent doesn’t make them crazy stupid. They can keep changing their strategy too.
RBMN on July 28, 2008 at 12:24 AM
So terrorists are for McCain is what you’re saying?
factoid on July 28, 2008 at 12:34 AM
No politics for Petraeus until he at least done with his tour at CENTCOM
bnelson44 on July 28, 2008 at 12:35 AM
OODA
drunyan8315 on July 28, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Petraeus/Jindal 2012 :-D
SouthernGent on July 28, 2008 at 12:54 AM
Palin/Jindal ’12
But Petraeus for Secretary of Something Really Important!
Mr. Wednesday Night on July 28, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Petraeus beckons the wrath of the messiah, Obama.
The messiahs apostle minions, Harry the lost Reid, Nancy Bela Pelosi, Dick the head Durbin will not rest till defeat is achieved and secure.
Thus fulfilling the prophecy of The Audacity of Hope
Kini on July 28, 2008 at 1:04 AM
The Obama Iraq Documentary: Whatever the Politics Demand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHEIi4XKRmM
bnelson44 on July 28, 2008 at 1:07 AM
Exactly right. Keep taking the fight to them. Crush the enemy.
Zorro on July 28, 2008 at 5:27 AM
Eradicate works here too.
Kevin71 on July 28, 2008 at 5:47 AM
The man is just speaking with common sense and caution. I know I have been knocking on wood myself.
Terrye on July 28, 2008 at 6:14 AM
I prefer Immolate myself.
Immolate on July 28, 2008 at 6:43 AM
How about we just play a constant loop of a Dalek screeching ‘ex-ter-mi-nate?’ I think that’ll do the trick quite nicely, even if they haven’t a clue about the reference. The sound alone will drive one mad.
I have a ton of respect for Gen. Patraeus. Glad to see he’s keeping a level head here.
Anna on July 28, 2008 at 7:17 AM
And I should give a flying flaming rat’s patootie in space what Keith Oberschmuck has to say about anything because……….?
pilamaye on July 28, 2008 at 7:23 AM
It is obvious that Obama dissed Petraeus after their one on one. If Obama is elected president, I fully expect Petraeus and most of his top officers to retire. We would see an exodus of our top military officers and enlisted not seen since Jimmy Carter.
luckybogey on July 28, 2008 at 7:24 AM
Field Marshal Rachel Maddow joined with Commandant Richard Wolfe, appearing on Olbermann’s pretend news show, will agree.
The blunt-spoken anti-ingénue Ms. Maddow will have to wait for President Obama to rescind the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell executive order before assuming her position as
alpha maleField Marshall of the Army.horatio on July 28, 2008 at 7:45 AM
As usual,it takes our military to provide clarity and leadership when our politicians and press are spinning and playing word games.
Men like Petraeus are who we need to be listening to on this subject.Period.
Baxter Greene on July 28, 2008 at 8:07 AM
I get your point, but didn’t (and doesn’t) Congress set that policy?
SteveMG on July 28, 2008 at 9:05 AM
Wise words, don’t bring your rookie reliever in until you are SURE the game is won!
PatriotPete on July 28, 2008 at 10:19 AM
Sadly prescient words. With today’s news of carnage from Iraq it’s clear that any talk of a “victory” there would be premature.
factoid on July 28, 2008 at 11:59 AM
factoid – you are the flip side of GEN Petreaus’ warning – He says don’t see a good period and think “all won”, whereas you see one bad day and proclaim doom.
Frankly, the Iraqis I work with seem to be a bit more upbeat than you. But what would they know, they are just Iraqi Army and Ministry of Defense…
major john on July 28, 2008 at 3:33 PM