Iraq & the Bush administration

Posted: Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:01 AM by Domenico Montanaro
Filed Under: White House, Security

Bush today has a lunch at Camp David with Defense Secretary Robert Gates, Secretary of State Condi Rice, and his Defense and foreign policy teams.

The New York Times: “Until last weekend, President Bush had repeatedly fallen short in seven months of battles with a Democratic-led Congress that would not give him what he wanted on immigration or education, health care or energy policy. But the Congressional vote that authorized eavesdropping without warrants on international communications, including those involving Americans within the United States, has shown that there is at least one arena in which Mr. Bush can still hold the line: terrorism. (See, ‘Democrats, Republican accusations of being weak on ...’)”

The Los Angeles Times has a piece suggesting that Democrats are happy Bush won't dump Attorney General Gonzales. Instead, Democrats see this as a way to keep Bush as a main issue in '08. Interesting thought: Could this mean some Republicans running in '08 (including the eventual nominee) will pressure Bush to fire Gonzales?

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Comments

Then it will show the democrats have NOTHING to run on in 08. So far all I have heard is Irag and Alberto and how sad the economy is. All the little tricks the demos have tried on Alberto have backfired, the economy is doing good and we are making headway in Iraq. Sounds like the democrats are getting a tad desperate. Maybe Feingold better come up with another censure vote.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:07 AM)

President Bush is worse than a lame duck. He might honestly be the worst US president ever.

Peterson (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:07 AM)

Darth Cheney is already making the talk show rounds claiming the surge has been successful, six weeks before Gen. Petraeus is scheduled to deliver his report. My guess is that's what bush and them will say regardless of what Gen. Petraeus reports. After all, bush and them always know best, and certainly aren't shy about warping reality to suit their message. They've already decided we'll be in Iraq forever.

Scott in South Texas (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:13 AM)

"Bagdad Blues"-The Horace Silver Quintet & Trio

Still Crazy After All These Years (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:18 AM)

Millions of iraqs have deserted their own country and fled to other countries millions more are displaced within iraq and some call this success, just goes to prove that repubs don't need no stinkin truth.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:29 AM)

Yes Bushco having lunch today to prepare the September Iraq progress report...& Gonzo gate will not go away...one more stone around the neck of a drowning Bush. Oh what a tangled web he weaved...

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:29 AM)

Partisan politics wins out again and us voters get the proverbial shaft. For the L.A Times to say that the Democrats may want to keep Gonzo around as political fodder makes me sick to my stomach. Forget what is best for upholding the constitution it's pure oneupmanship.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:32 AM)

".......and we are making headway in Iraq", somebody's been dipping into the kool-aid again.

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:32 AM)

The reason the iraqs have not passed an oil law is that bush drafted the law which gives American companies at least half of iraqs oil reserves, yes neo-con chickenhawks will still say this war was not about oil.

mikeeg,abdn,wa (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:33 AM)

Jerry is back and full of mularky and needs his daily refill of koolaid.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:35 AM)

ah there's that jerri girl back with her twisted facts, thank goodness for some lying gossip to read, I am so tired of the truth.

jerri fan (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:36 AM)

The Democrats caved on warrantless surveillance over the weekend and already are being pounded throughout talk radio for having no convictions. Shows what doing the MSMs version of the "moderate" thing will get you. This http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20137025/ shows that the GOP has nothing to gloat about, however. The Brits had been celebrated for being the ones who did counterinsurgency right. They went in strong, switched to from killer mode to policeman mode immediately, kept the peace, and reached out to the community. Throughout their occupation the British have experienced lower levels of violence as have the people within their territory. Now all that's gone.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:40 AM)

Headway in Iraq yeah right! Tell that to the millions of Iraqies who have no drinking water, electricity, 120 thousand of our AK 47 in the hands of the insurgency killing Americans daily, Basra slowing returning to choas with the eminent w/d of British (local government in the hands of radical Shia allied with Iran), Sunni's walking away from Maliki's government. The only thing they have been celebrating is their win over Saudia Arabia while in the green zone. Jerry keep getting your bias news account from Fox news and now The Wall Street Journal.

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:47 AM)

jerry, why don't you find an Iraqi who has fled from their country and ask them if they think we are making headway there. Ask all of the other countries who are taking in Iraqi refugees as well. Stop drinking the damn koolaid. IMPEACH BUSH/CHENEY/GONZO

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:54 AM)

No matter what the truth about the losing war in Iraq is, Gen Betrayus will talk it up as a fine effort---even though there may be no Iraqi govt bu Sept 15th---and we should keep on keepin' on. And, as usual, the gutless Dems will cave.
Gonzo will be around forever, whether the Dems want him or not, because he has all the goods (or, more accurately) the bads on the Cheny/Bush admin. He WON'T be an asset to the Dems in '08, once America wakes up to the fact that he's still there because the Dems in Congress were (as usual) too gutless to impeach, prosecute, or demand his removal. It'll just make them look like the maleable weaklings they are.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 9:59 AM)

You guys come in here everyday and complain like little b(*&*s. All you are doing is running your blood pressure up. Bush is president, no one in here is in any position to fire him. Sure write your Congressman and see if they even answer you. All politicians are the same...They all LIE, CHEAT, etc. to retain power and will say anything to get elected. All you political junkies continue to elect the same ones over and over again. Nobody should be able to stay in Congress for 30 yrs. Some of those guys have been there since Vietnam. That is too long. Nothing worse than a professional politician.

Jackson, Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:27 AM)

Jackson, Houston--So we should just give up? We should not try to speak our minds because it is a waste of time? Shouldn't some things make a persons blood pressure rise and drive them to participate and try to take some action? Are you saying we should just sit back and let the professionals run things with no input from the lowly electorate? We should just agree and go along because it is easier? I am baffled and saddened by that kind of thinking. I don't understand you.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:48 AM)

OK Jackson, we'll just stop being concerned with the great republic handed down to us by those who fought, died, and devoted their lives to it and roll over for the coming dictatorship. The USA ain't perfect, but it's a darn sight better than most. I'd kind of like to keep it that way.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:49 AM)

"They got the guns, but we got the numbers". It's no longer "we the people" in this Cheney/Bush imperium. It's us against them. The rich, the corrupt, and the powerful agianst the rest of us. Let's wake up and take our country and constituion back before we lose it all when Cheney/Bush cancel the '08 elections.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 10:58 AM)

Doesn't the fox news junkie jerry in texas realize that a war based on lies can never be won. Also, I think some of the democrats who voted for the fisa law think that gonzo and bush will go too far as usual and that will be a way to get the law that they really want. I hope they are right. Gonzo will never be fired because he is the only thing standing between bush/cheney and impeachment. The republicans are showing their private persona over their public persona. Let this continue. It is the only thing that can set this country free from a seven year abusive relationship. The truth will set us free.

christine marquette, fort lauderdale, FL (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:03 AM)

Jackson, Houston-- I agree with you that congress and senators rarely answer back, at least mine don't. I also agree that there is nothing worse than professional politicians. When they have to keep getting elected to keep their job, they will say and do anything to get the votes. Nothing else matters to them. But we can't just give up and let them become a dictator like Bush.

Ollie frenchburg ky (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:10 AM)

8/7/07 3678 American military men and women dead. And for what?

mad in Madtown (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:16 AM)

Im not telling you to stop whatever your doing. Im saying that it is not healthy to continue fighting a battle that is not to be won. Bush is president, you cant do anything about that, the country is divided and probably always will be. To get elected in this country it is all about getting people out to vote. Whichever party brings out the most in the states with the most electoral votes will win, point blank. I understand you guys need a forum to unleash but your unleashing at the wrong person. Bush is a figure-head, you should be going after your own individual Congressperson. Ask, what have they done for YOU AND YOUR FAMILY? Im from Texas, a Mass Congressman cant do jack about my pot-holes. I happen to be from Tom DeLays' district. No matter how you feel about him, he made Sugarland, Texas (surburb of Houston) what it is today. One of the most affluent and best places in America to live. Before him the population was probably about 10,000. Now it is in the millions.

Jackson, Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:19 AM)

I vote and I inform others..I guess that what I can do. Jerry it's no surprise you think the Dems have no platform since your are happy with the status quo right now. That's what the GOP candidates are about..more of the same. The neoconservative agenda has redefined the GOP, esp when a liberal/globalist like Rudy is leading nationally among Republicans.

CJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:22 AM)

September 15 - Washington DC - Be there, make a difference.

Gary Schear, bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:24 AM)

"3678 American military men and women dead. And for what?"...for the agenda of PNAC (the Project For a New American Century) so theses facists can strive for world domination. Don't believe it? Look at their website. Look at the list of members, includes Dick Cheney & Scooter Libby & & &.....WAKE UP AMERICA>>>IMPEACH CHENEY/BUSH NOW!!!!! (Wake up people, this isn't some wacko conspiracy theory, its real, its happening and we must stop it!)

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:36 AM)

Yikes! So Jackson..A scumbag like Delay is okay with you caus that scumbag can HELP you.
I understand you now, we can have all the scum politics
as long as your okay in Texas with yor girl jerry.........America the land of I'M ok shit on you!
Sugarland indeed!

H P Boston (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:41 AM)

"the population was probably about 10,000. Now it is in the millions" like that's a good thing...right, keep repeating the mantra: Pavement good, God's green earth bad, Pavement good, God's green earth bad.......

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:51 AM)

Whatever happened to the War Czar? Bush didn't invite him to lunch to talk about Iraq? Did he say the wrong thing and has been shipped overseas for waterboarding and re-education?

nuanced (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 11:52 AM)

Bet Sugarland Texas hasn't gotten near the federal money it cost for the BIG BIG. Have you named an off ramp in memory of Gerry Studds yet?

Dave, Tn (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 12:45 PM)

I see your point Jackson and have already written my Congressman to protest his vote on the "Protecting America Act". I also think it's important to state my opinion publicly. Until the '06 elections many people felt isolated and alone in their distrust of the GWB administration because the MSM acted as cheerleaders for them and many conservatives have no problem shouting down contrary positions. Since the election so many people have found their voice. It's been very encouraging.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:02 PM)

Well, I'm thanking Bush and the "culture of corruption" congress recently ousted for getting all those Dems and Indies out to vote!

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:20 PM)

so corruption is the key huh Jackson? We all know what Delay was up to. I guess you might not be old enough to remember the marches during the 60's and 70's (I am guessing on that part). I do contact my representatives quite frequently and I will continue to do so until I die. I will also continue to voice my concerns because I have that right as everyone else does. Our freedom does not come cheap and free, people before us fought to the death to gives us the freedoms we have today, why because they understood what living under a colony was like and they did not want that. So instead of being quiet we need to raise our voices on any medium until we the people are heard.

Terry, Disabled Vet, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:25 PM)

"But the Congressional vote that authorized eavesdropping without warrants on international communications, including those involving Americans within the United States, has shown that there is at least one arena in which Mr. Bush can still hold the line: terrorism. " Not only did the spineless CONGRESS grant BushCo EXTENDED powers in an area that is probably already a CONSTITUTIONAL CRIME, they granted it WITHOUT supervision. The spies and Alberto "Swisscheese memories" Gonzales will provide oversight to make sure the CONSTITUTION isn't again used for butt-wipe by BushCo, just like he was supposed to be doing before.

Lee in CA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:25 PM)

Jackson,
You said something that is right on time. It is too many people in D.C. that have been there too long. Look at Leihy, Byrd, Kennedy etc., still thinking like its 1960. At 75 + yrs old, your old thinking cap goes a little weary. When this country stop electing AARP members fo office, we will get on the right track and come out of the throwback era.

Gorilla Thriller, Georgia (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:46 PM)

Bush sucks real bad

G (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:46 PM)

Gary Schear wrote, "Jackson, Houston--So we should just give up? We should not try to speak our minds because it is a waste of time? Shouldn't some things make a persons blood pressure rise and drive them to participate and try to take some action?"

The answer is, "Yes". You should give up and stop speaking your mind because what is being posted is the same thing over and over. Furthermore, it's being directed to this msnbc site. How does that drive anyone to action? It's words recorded in cyberspace viewed by a very small number of people.

I'm a believer in the cathartic nature of getting your views out and, if an issue bothers you enough, to write thoughts and feeling down to get it off your chest. But, really. Enough is enough already. We're all just griping about the same old same old. I'm fed up with Bush. I'm fed up with Cheney. I'm fed up with the incompetence. But, like Jackson in Houston said, "What's the point in continuing to get angry about it?" Until the 2008 election rolls around, we just have to live with the mess........or pressure our Congressman to finally step up and stop the nonsense eminating from the Executive Branch. But, I don't think the Legislative Branch is reading any of our posts on First Read at msnbc.com

Dave M., Miamisburg, OH (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:51 PM)

Jackson's attitude is so typical of millions of Americans who say what is wrong is congress BUT NOT MY REPRESENTATIVE.....Why do you think they always get re-elected so they can become professional politicans. So look in the mirror!

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:54 PM)

HP: Kennedy is a scumbag to us, but he is your scumbag. You dont know what Delay did for this area so you cant comment. If he wasnt as powerful as he became in Washington, this area would still be dependent upon the Imperial Sugarmill for employment. The economy here is thriving. That is what Congressmen are for; to help their district.

Jackson, Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:54 PM)

In 2000 the population for Sugarland was 63,000, today its 79,000.

GAB, Austin, TX (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 1:59 PM)

GAB.....MY GOD, the 921,000-ions other residents must be here ON AMNESTY!

Greg R., Spokane, WA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:15 PM)

Ok GAB, Austin: The numbers arent exact but Im quite sure the just of my arguement is on point. Have you ever heard of a round about guess?.
http://www.city-data.com/city/Sugar-Land-Texas.html

Jackson, Houston (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:17 PM)

Jackson, Houston-- I rag on my reps all the time. I've posted many a screed on BOTH parties. I have told my Congressional representation that I don't care about their god damned political realities or their careers, they need to cut funding to this war and throw the incompetent pretender to the Presidency in jail! Will it have an effect? By myself no, but when many are collectively shouting, red eyed, at them it will have an eventual effect.
Bush is a figurehead? Well this figurehead is powerful enough to wipe his ass with my Constitution and conduct unnecessary wars while his boss, Dick Penguin, squawks in the back ground. Will he be impeached? Doubtful, but all the shouting will be remembered. If I can play but one little part in making sure that this fool is remembered by history as a failed joke of a President than I have had a good day.
Why do you care? Aren't you worried about your blood pressure trying to change minds that you will never change?
Sept. 15 Washington DC.

Gary Schear, Bozeman Montana (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:18 PM)

There's a great article in today's Slate.com that explains how bad the FISA thing has gotten. The Dems say they have a 60-day sunset, but the small print is that there isn't one. Also that, guess who looks over the complaints about FISA in future and determines whether they're actionable or not? GONZO THE WEASEL!! THAT'S what happens in 60 days! The Dems caved so they could slink out of town on a totally undeserved month's vacation, giving the facists Cheney/Bush/Gonzo everything they wanted. I swear, next time I'll only vote for people with some goddamn BACKBONE!!!

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:29 PM)

OK Jackson, now we're clear. You're OK with lying, hypocritcal, sexist, egotistical bigots as long as they're doing something for you. If it's all about the money doesn't it also follow that it's all about the selfishness?

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:31 PM)

"In 2000 the population for Sugarland was 63,000, today its 79,000"......stated by Jackson as "from 10,000 to millions".....wow...hey Jackson...you've got the makings of one of those career politicians you were talking about!

PJ (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:39 PM)

Jackson,
I think you got that backwards. Delay is the scumbag pest control guy. He should have sprayed himself - the little nasty cockroach. Senator Kennedy on the other hand is just of the best Senators ever to serve.
I guess your crowd feels it is alright to protect slave conditions going on in a U.S. protectorate. To elevate lobbiest corruption and influence peddling to its highest art form. Just as long as you praise Jesus while you're doing it...its okay. Yeah, I'd take Kennedy's voting record and reputation over your disgraced sack woop any day.

Ken Mesle (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:53 PM)

Dave M....I have to agree with you. I am tired of voicing opinions and spinning my wheels and for what?! We have to face the fact that, like it or not, Bush will be our leader at least fot the next 400 and something days. As much as I dislike this adminstration, I know that a better day will come in 2008.

Ron, St. Louis, Mo. (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:53 PM)

Oh Jerry, where are all the true conservatives, you know the one's who believed in limited government. Well, I guess they all left when the republican party became southernized in the 80's and 90's. Heck, all you guys were dixiecrats and became republicans for all the wrong reasons. Bring me back to the days of the Barry Goldwaters, the one's who wouldn't dare stand for today's love big government repubs, mostly from the south, i.e Sessions, Shelby, Cornyn, etc. You call yourself a conservative but you ain't got the slightest idea what it means. It ain't no game show, "just hope my team wins". It's about stopping all government intrusion into our lives and I can tell you that the current crop of so called fake conservatives have missed the boat. So go on Jerry, have your love fest with the republican party. I trust neither party here, only loyal Americans. You love your little hypocrit party more than your country and that's a real shame

Lloyd Roberts, Jamaica, New York (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:55 PM)

Jackson,
You're an angry little boy.

Ken Mesle (Sent Tuesday, August 07, 2007 2:58 PM)

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