Lieberman calls for patience with troop surge: The Swamp

Posted June 28, 2007 2:51 PM

By David Lightman of the Hartford Courant

As key Republican support for President Bush’s Iraq war strategy begins to erode, Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman today urged fellow lawmakers and the public to give the American military surge time to work.

“We’ve got to think not about the next election but the next generation,” he told a Capitol Hill news conference.

The U.S. military surge, Lieberman contended, has the enemy “on the run.” The Connecticut senator, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, has been one of the Senate’s most vocal war backers, and would not let up today. His comments came three days after Sen. Richard G. Lugar, (R-Ind)., the highly respected top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as well as Sen. George Voinovich, (R-Ohio), urged the White House to change course and begin, as Lugar put it, to downsize U.S. involvement in Iraq.

“In my judgment, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that can be achieved,” said Lugar in a Senate floor speech Monday. “Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term.”

He noted that the current American political climate, as well as international views of the United States, show little prospect of improving.

“Unless we recalibrate our strategy in Iraq to fit our domestic political conditions and the broader needs of U.S. national security,” Lugar said, “We risk foreign policy failures that could greatly diminish our influence in the region and the world.”

The White House is clearly concerned about Lugar’s shift, as it sent National Security Adviser Stephen J. Hadley to meet with the senator today. Lieberman appeared later alongside Sen. Lindsey O. Graham, (R-S.C). The surge, Lieberman said, is working. And it has just begun, he added, so it needs time to be fully evaluated. “In places where the surge is focused,” he said, notably Anbar Province and elsewhere, “security is undeniably improving.”

Lieberman, who recently visited Iraq, was asked whether he got solid, independent information that he could use in his judgment. “You’ve got to have confidence in our military leadership,” he explained, adding later, “I trust what they tell me.”

He had some praise for Lugar’s remarks, calling it a “very important speech,” and noting how the senator urged a more bipartisan Iraq policy. And he agreed with Lugar’s contention that a precipitous withdrawal from Iraq would be catastrophic for America’s security. Lugar did not urge setting a timetable for removing U.S. troops.

Comments

Ok, we can add "We have the enemy on the run" to the list of the most overly optimistic statements about Iraq.

Other entries:

"The insurgency is on it's last legs."

"We've turned the corner"

"But the point is that, one, we will win this conflict. We will win it easily."

Posted by: Tony | June 28, 2007 3:11 PM

“We’ve got to think not about the next election but the next generation,”

Right, Joe!! Like how long the next generation will be paying off the bill for this immoral war and reparing the United States damaged reputation throughout the world as a result of this disastorous administration policy.

Posted by: Steve34 | June 28, 2007 3:12 PM

Amazing.

What Lieberman, Dubya, Darth & the rest of the 28% dead-enders refuse to discuss is: Where is the Iraqi political solution?

Posted by: Doug Zook | June 28, 2007 3:14 PM

I hope Benedict Joe Lieberman goes ahead and joins up fulltime with his fellow dead-end Wingnuts in the Republic Party.

Holy Joe will never get re-elected in Conn as a Republic Party member and he knows it.

For Joe, his support for our continued involvement in this stupid civil war in Iraq and the so-called "Surge" is all about his hatred of all things Arab, nothing more, nothing less.

Posted by: John E | June 28, 2007 3:16 PM

So basically Lieberman gave him a pat on the back in the spirit of political sportsmanship, and coincidentally only in respect to the things that work for him. Grand. I'm not interested in seeing what he would have up his sleeve in terms of Iran. Nope, not one bit.

Posted by: AR | June 28, 2007 3:20 PM

Tony,
Don't forget this one;

'Weeks, months, no more than 6 months'.

Posted by: C.Morris | June 28, 2007 3:48 PM

Nothing beats the day like seeing the Lovers of Anything Terrorist, the Loony Left.
Why don't you folks just admit you want terrorism, you want innocent Americans and people to die and that you're in bed with the head-chopping terrorists?
Come on, just admit that's who you are. Trust me, you'll feel better that you've come out of the terrorist-loving closet.

Posted by: John D | June 28, 2007 4:14 PM

“We’ve got to think not about the next election but the next generation,”

I do think about all those children growing up without a parent or with a parent who will never be able to do the things they once did with them because of this war. I wish you did.

Posted by: Anonymous | June 28, 2007 4:19 PM

Hey robot Bruce, Newsweek used the adjective "maverick" to describe Sen. Lieberman so you can stop wetting the bed and foaming at the mouth about a liberal media conspiracy.

Posted by: jethro | June 28, 2007 4:20 PM

What is the political solution in Iraq?

Posted by: Doug Zook | June 28, 2007 4:56 PM

"Why don't you folks just admit you want terrorism, you want innocent Americans and people to die and that you're in bed with the head-chopping terrorists?"

Johnny torture, you're the one who wants to keep following a course that continues to kill Amercan soldiers to no useful end. You're the one who wants to keep shoving our kids in front of the "head chopping terrorists" in the pursuit of a failed strategy. You're the one that wants to make our servicemen and women torturers.

Posted by: Tony | June 28, 2007 5:09 PM

JOE MUST GO !!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: bill r. | June 28, 2007 5:12 PM

Doogie, what is your plan to wise up?
The Bush administration is working on a political as well as military solution for Iraq.
Oh, why bother? Iraq could become as tranquil as a painting of a pond, and you folks still would cry foul.

Posted by: John D | June 28, 2007 5:14 PM

Stick to the propane John.

Posted by: bill r. | June 28, 2007 5:26 PM

There is no political solution in Iraq. You can make a lot happen at the point of a gun - everything except hearts and minds.

Posted by: Doug Zook | June 28, 2007 5:31 PM

No do bother John D. What political solution is he working on? The same one that has all the Iraqis going at each other. Splinting up the country, determining who gets the oil (to make sure our private companies get to hoard it all to themselves and Britain without needing to invest it), subduing the Sunnis (the modern moderates who don't like being subjected to a Constitution still deriving its laws from a holly book) , not permitting the Iraqis to determine if they want us out which they have for quite some time but don't hold enough voice in Parliament to counter al-Malik (sorta like our Congress seems unable or unwilling, I don't care anymore which, to stop our leader on his empire building -sarcasm intended- ) etc? Basically all the bad political decisions we have made so far in setting up their government to be as amicable to our interest as can be. Yes can't wait for the backlash once we leave.

Posted by: AR | June 28, 2007 7:09 PM

And I'll post this e-mail again, Mind-numbed Leftwing Losers:

I hope this update finds you all well. We continue to move forward
with the development of Iraq. I am sure you are aware the last couple of
days have been a little rough on the casualty side with our numbers
growing.
Regardless of what the media states this is due to the fact that we
continue to squeeze the enemy north of Baghdad and he is fighting back. I
actually heard one reporter last week state that this was not the case
as the recent surge in casualties was not by "direct combat" but rather
by roadside IEDs. Some one needs to inform her that this enemy is
smart enough not to face us head to head. His tactics are directed right
at the reporter in the hopes that she will do exactly just as she did in
her statements and analysis. Enough said about that, I just ask that
you pray for the young soldiers of whom will forever be in our memories
as heroes.

I spent two days in Kuwait this past week attempting to pitch an
airport Hotel concept to two investment firms. I was given the directive by
the Chief of Staff of Corps to personally lead this economic
development at the Baghdad International Airport effort and to have some real
results for the Commanding General. Currently, we are renovating a
convention center and office building and many other smaller infrastructure
projects to include trash removal, fire safety and air controller
training. When asked if I have an experience in aviation my answer is no,
but I did spend last night at a Holiday Inn Express. Yea, I know, not
that funny. In any case one does not say no to the CG and I have a team
of seven project managers of whom there is some aviation experience
working with me on this (and in case you are concerned, SFC Conley is on
the Airport team now as well, funny how that happened). While I am not
sure if we will be successful in getting a hotel ground breaking by
summer's end I am doing my best. Bottom line is that we have some
interested parties but no one is going to commit to such a large project
without Iraqi Government assurances that they will not have it all taken from
them in two years. I will keep you posted on our progress here.

Oh, and yes, I did get to stay in a very nice hotel in Kuwait City.
Only
problem: Alcohol is illegal in Kuwait.

Lastly, here is a photo of another fine NCO, SSG Begley is an Air force
communications NCO and was my driver on one of our recent convoys. I
call him "guns" as the fella is no small boy. About twice the size of
Woody!
He has actually been driving me more these days as even though SFC
Conley and SPC Tran, my regular vehicle team are still a part of our convoy
teams, we are trying to separate the knowledge base of specific
sections into multiple vehicles for security reasons.

Take care and enjoy your summer!!!

Scottie Venable
LTC, Chief, Economic Development
Multi National Corps - Iraq
Camp Slayer, BLDG V8
APO AE 09342
MCI 914.360.9230
IRAQNA 0790.193.9598
VOIP: 703.673.7066
E-MAIL NIPR:stefanos.venable@iraq.centcom.mil
SIPR:stefanos.venable@s-iraq.centcom.mil
AKO: stefanos.venable@us.army.mil

Posted by: John D | June 28, 2007 7:21 PM

Johnny D has a new e-mail to show just how great things are in Iraq. Welp..thats enough for me. Lets keep the troops there forever. 60 trillion ought to be enough. If you need verification of the e-mail go to http/myworldjohnd.com
and ya know his facts are correct because being the looney left you wouldn't know any better.

Posted by: bill r. | June 28, 2007 7:54 PM

I am not surprised that the perpetual brain dead like bill r just ignore a first-hand telling of what is taking place in Iraq. Not some commander or general you morons say, "well, they have to say that because if they don't Bush will fire them," or whatever crap you goofs write to denigrate generals and commanders you disagree with.
Really, you folks are so pitiful, unable or incapable of opening your minds and overcoming your hate.

Posted by: John D | June 28, 2007 8:23 PM

Oh Kuwait. How nice. The same place we got the people to contract for the project of building the Empire-like-US Embassy. Where the company happened to have a small problem of venturing on borderline trafficking workers from Asia and Africa to work on the darn thing before covering it up when American contractors started complaining to the Company from Kuwait and then the US Gov. Regardless, I agree though. We do need an nice airport hotel to be able to get to that palace we built there. One thing bothered me though.

"Bottom line is that we have some interested parties but no one is going to commit to such a large project without Iraqi Government assurances that they will not have it all taken from them in two years. I will keep you posted on our progress here."

Sounds very much in the interest of the Iraqi citizens squashed between it all. Nice to know that moves are being made to secure privatization from it being taken away by the Iraqis in Iraq should they challenge who's investing to build what project. Will this company hire Iraqis to build? Or will the majority come from cheap labor from some small corner of the earth? Splendid. Privatization. I do hope that they will not model the privatization after Russia. That was too open too fast and just collapsed. I prefer the gradual kind where the Iraqis get to work on who they want to invest in their properties. Properties they rebuild themselves from the Iranian War only to have them destroyed in this New War. Is this the political agenda Bush is working on? I still stand by my first post.

Posted by: AR | June 28, 2007 8:25 PM

'Lieberman Calls for Patience' on the surge?

This reminds me of the recorded 'return to your desks' recording playing in the Twin Towers on 9/11.

'Everything is alright. Don't concern yourself. Go back to your desk.'

Posted by: C.Morris | June 28, 2007 8:52 PM

Little Johnny D TootsieRoll, you're one of the last dopes standing for an already failed Iraq policy.

Congratulations boy genius!

Posted by: John E | June 28, 2007 10:43 PM

Johnny D,

Your faith in the light at the end of the tunnel is touching. I trust you also believe we won in Vietnam?

You must love terrorists:you are creating so many of them.
(Well, how many recruits to our cause do you expect when you kill a member of an extended family?)

Please try and remember that we are fighting against all sides in the Iraq Civil War and have succeeded so well that 7o% of the population now think that it is okay to kill Americans.

When you recover from being reality challenged, please let us know.

May you have the 28% who believe in Mission Accomplished have a speedy recovery.

Posted by: Jane | June 28, 2007 11:43 PM

Oh, why bother? Iraq could become as tranquil as a painting of a pond, and you folks still would cry foul.

Where's the tranquility in blowing up mosques, museums, and libraries that were hundreds of years old? Roads, water supplies, electricity, food supplies, transportation, security... all rendered non-functional by an ignorant and unnecessarily vicious invading force. Committing generations of Americans to pay for the reconstruction, already in the trillions of dollars, billions of which mysteriously end up missing and the Halliburton execs looking stupid when asked about it. Placing US troops at deaths door and then refusing them the necessary protective equipment they need, thereby forcing these young people to pay for their own equipment or ask their families to do so.

People like you who continue to support the US' illegal occupation of Iraq are just as guilty as the Bush/Cheney regime that have committed crimes against humanity. Every morning when you wake up their blood is on your hands, too. You're supporting Gonzales' illegal torure policy. Would you allow ANYONE to strip naked, waterboard, and put attack dogs on YOUR CHILD and not want some kind of justice? Can't you people understand that these actions are going to have disastrous effects upon generations to come?

Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | June 29, 2007 12:57 AM

Way ta go, Joe! Keep up the tradition!

Return with us now to those glorious days of yesteryear, like around November 1967, when General William Westmoreland took time off from his fabulously successful prosecution of the Vietnam War to tell us that the Viet Cong was on the run, Charlie was hurting, and he had the (cooked) numbers to prove it. Fast forward to the Tet Offensive.

They forgot or they never learned, and they expect the same of us.

Posted by: Tirebiter in Sector R | June 29, 2007 9:13 AM

We did win their hearts and minds, look closely at the news footage, you can see them splattered on the streets and walls. Lieberman, move to israel, run for office or join their military and fight your fight in the proper arena, leave us out of it.

Posted by: Barry | June 29, 2007 9:20 AM

June 2007: 100 US dead in Iraq.

Who's forgetting what John D?

Stay the course Senator Joe?

Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | June 29, 2007 11:13 AM

"Really, you folks are so pitiful, unable or incapable of opening your minds and overcoming your hate.

Posted by: John D | June 28, 2007 8:23 PM"

John D, please investigate "psychological projection" and "denial" immediately, then get yourself an appointment with a psychiatrist ASAP.

Posted by: Op109 | June 29, 2007 3:05 PM

It is an insult to Connecticut to have Lieberman, the quintessential Israeli senator and staunch Bush enabler, represent that state. The state dems kicked holy Joe out of the party for serious cause. One thing for sure, this holier than thou egomaniac will never live down that insult.

His subsequent actions, like not investigating the administration's response to Katrina, the greatest natural disaster to ever hit this country, tells it all about this very little little man's prioritys. He will be especially remembered by the citizens of that section of the country for essentially masking Bush's incompetence made manifest in his handling of the Katrina disaster recovery effort. We had a 9/11 commission, but not a Katrina commission. At least committee hearings would have uncovered lessons learned...As committee chairman he demured...

Lieberman's concern for the next generation when he torpedoed efforts to investigate Katrina generation sufferings is downright hypocritcal..

Posted by: Frank | June 29, 2007 4:51 PM

What does the "D" stand for johnny boy..

Dumb?

Delusional?

Disgusting?

Desperate?

... dick?

Posted by: Dom | June 29, 2007 5:14 PM

Lieberman go to Iraq and take the Israeli army with you. Send american
soldiers home.

I will not give my vote
to anyone unless they sign
a statement of truth about their intentions.

Posted by: charles aentoulis | June 30, 2007 12:54 PM